| Greetings!
As I get ready to ring in
the new year, I am excited about the opportunities that 2009 will bring for
women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In the coming months, we have a real chance of
pushing through initiatives that ensure
equal pay and help women meet their work and family responsibilities.
While
President-elect Barack Obama will be focused on the economy and federal
spending and constrained by the financial crisis, the new administration can
still make significant strides in advancing women's issues without great
budgetary impact such as Title IX compliance reviews.
As President-elect Obama
noted in his response to AWIS earlier this fall, "Women are significantly
underrepresented in the STEM workforce, and especially in the leadership
positions in research and academia...We support a range of proactive measures
that will open opportunities in science to women, such as requiring minority
and female representation on government panels developing innovation and
competitiveness strategies, and...equitable enforcement of existing laws such as
Title IX..."
We have
already met with the presidential transition team and provided suggestions on
these and other issues affecting women in STEM. And with your help, we can keep these issues
out in front of the new administration.
You can
still make your year-end, tax free donation to AWIS by simply clicking here or call us
directly at 202.326.8940.
Thank you
for all your support this past year and best wishes for a prosperous and happy
new year.
Best
regards,
Janet
___________________
Janet Bandows Koster
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| Education |
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Women Now 16% of Chemistry Faculty
The fraction of women
who are tenured or hold tenure-track positions rose to 16% from 15% last year in the 50 US chemistry departments that spend the most on research. In 2008-2009, out
of the total 1,662 chemistry faculty in the top 50 universities, 263 are
women. Comparison with previous years suggests a steady but slow progress over
the long term. The C&EN study also collected information on female faculty
on perceptions of inequality.
Women in Chemistry Departments
Placement Rate for Medical
and Biological Engineering Graduates Exceeds 90%
A survey of 2006-2007
graduates of medical and biological engineering programs shows high placement rates. Roughly half of bachelor and masters graduates, and those with doctoral degrees
found jobs (41%, 55%, and 53% respectively). Only eight percent of each group were looking for permanent
positions. The remaining pursued higher education or other interest. These results show the job market for bioengineers is strong, and
there continues to be high placement despite the rising number of graduates
each year.
High Demand for Medical and Biological Engineers
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| Government |
Scientist in Obama's
Cabinet
Obama's choice of Jane
Lubchenco to run the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Steven Chu to run the Department of
Energy, and physicist
John Holden as his science advisor demonstrates a new respect for science. Differing from the Bush administration,
"Mr. Obama has at least surrounded himself with serious scholars of some of the
most critical issues of our times."
A New Respect for Science
The 111th Congressional
Committee on Science and Technology Agenda
The committee plans to
focus on maintaining US competitiveness and innovation, developing clean
technologies, creating jobs of the future, protecting our natural resources, exploring
space, building new types of infrastructure, protecting people from natural and
man-made threats and uncovering mismanagement and restoring scientific
integrity.
Congressional Science Committee Agenda
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| International |
OECD Science, Technology and Industry 2008
Highlights
This brief overview of the Organization for Economic
Co-Operation and Development's highlights global dynamics in science,
technology and innovation. A few examples include the surge in patents and
scientific publications, the accelerating demand for human resources,
emerging policies that support cluster, network and innovation eco-systems, and
the increasing importance of assessing the socio-economic impacts of public policy.
Global Science Highlights
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| Careers |
Tips for a Better Interview
Congratulations!
You worked your network and landed an interview with the company of your
choice. Now, you need to ace the
interview. Get prepared by reviewing
some common sense tips from pharmaceutical consultant David Jensen, who recommends
that you first do your research. Know
the basics about the company, and draft some questions to ask about the work
you will be doing. Second, pause before
answering an important question. This
will add weight to your response.
Finally, follow-up. Contact
either the person to whom you will be reporting or Human Resources to reiterate
your interest in the position. With
mindful preparation, considered discussion, and a thoughtful finish, you can
improve your chances at winning a job offer.
Interview Guidance
More Women Cardiologists but Discrimination Remains
A decade long study of
cardiologists published this month in the Journal of the American College of
Cardiology reveals that more women than men practice noninvasive cardiology
and are more likely to work in an academic setting. The number of women in cardiology doubled in the last decade, but they still represent less than 20% of physicians in the specialty. Both men and women express high satisfaction
with their careers, but both groups are equally dissatisfied in their
compensation. During the course of the
study, the rate of discrimination based on gender did not change, even though
both sexes reported an increase in caregiver duties. The purpose of the study was to identify "societal
shifts" so the discipline of cardiology can adapt accordingly and continue to
attract top candidates to the line of work.
Women in Cardiology
Average Salaries Lowest and Sex Gap Smallest at For-Profit Institutions
The National Center for Education Statistics' annual report shows the pay
gap in post-secondary institutions in the US is narrowing, and is smallest at for-profit
institutions. However, salaries for Assistant, Associate,
and Full professors are significantly less at private for-profit institutions. Faculty
salary gaps are much narrower than that in the U.S. labor force in general.
Pay Gap by Institution Type
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| Science and Health |
The Brain and the Battle of the BulgeGrowing evidence suggests that obesity is driven by the
central nervous system and not the gut.
Analysis of genome data from over 30,000 individuals enrolled in several
different studies has identified six new genes that predispose people to
obesity and an unhealthy body mass index.
Unexpectedly, these genes are highly expressed in the brain and central
nervous system, and this evidence suggests that individuals may be programmed
to overeat. The discovery of these genes
also provides new targets for treatment of obesity by drug therapy.
Obesity on the Brain
Brain Adjusts to Cope with Life's UpsetsRoberto Cabeza, professor of psychology and
neuroscience at Duke University, has co-authored a study comparing
brain activity of young and old women. The results suggest that older women's brains
process negative images differently. Older women on average remembered less of
the negative images shown in the study. This outcome fits in with the theory
that older adults are suppressing the processing of negative information. Researches
noted there could be differences between the genders on this front, and hope to
look at middle-aged people in the future.
Living and Learning to deal with the negative
Linking Breast Density and Breast Cancer RiskRecent findings of the Mayo Clinic are revealing why
dense breast tissue is often linked to higher breast cancer risk. Researchers presented posters from two
studies at the Cancer Therapy & Research
Center-American Association for Cancer Research (CTRC-AACR) San Antonio Breast
Cancer Symposium. One study showed that
denser breast tissue has a different composition than non-dense tissue and may
contain more cells that can give rise to cancer. The second study revealed that dense breast
tissue contains higher levels of the aromatase enzyme, a molecule required for
conversion of androgen hormones to estrogen, and higher estrogen levels can
promote breast cancer growth. Both of
these studies are novel because they used biopsies from dense and non-dense
breast tissues from the same healthy volunteers, while earlier breast density
studies have been done with breast disease.
Dense Breasts and Cancer |
| Lifestyle
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Vote for Top Weird Science Stories of 2008
Vote for the second annual Weird Science Awards. Pick from
the top 24 weird science stories of the year, or nominate your own! Pick among
discoveries such as 'shark's virgin birth confirmed,' 'Lost tribe' isn't that
lost,' and 'Scientists breed see-through fish." The top 10 vote-getters will be
celebrated in a Weirdy gallery.
Weird Science
Holiday Myths DebunkedMany widely believed myths crop up each year during the
holiday season and a pair of scientists at the Indiana University School of
Medicine have investigated the scientific merit of these beliefs. The investigators prepared a list of
health-related myths and searched Medline or Google to find supportive or
refutable scientific evidence. Their
investigation debunks several myths including the notions that sugar makes
children hyperactive, poinsettias are toxic to children and pets, and nighttime
meals contribute to weight gain. Now you
can rest assured during the holiday season that these myths have been debunked,
so enjoy your candy canes, sugar plums and poinsettia leaves.
Busting Seasonal Myths
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| Chapter News and Events |
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AWIS St. Louis Chapter
Event: New Year's Reception for Women in Science &
Medicine
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Time: 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Location: The Hearth Room, 2nd floor Farrell Learning and
Teaching Center, (http://fltc.wustl.edu)
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AWIS San Francisco Chapter
Event: Pragmatic Advice For Your Career - Judy Heyboer
What you wanted to know but were afraid to ask!
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Genentech, 611 Gateway Boulevard- Building 83,
conference Rm 1B (or 83-1B), South San Francisco
Cost: $8.50 members, $17 non-members, $25 after
registration date. (Alight supper will be provided)
Register: via ACTEVA by Monday, January 12th
AWIS East Bay Chapter
Event: An Evening of Newtorking
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2009
Time: 6:30pm Light Supper, 7:00pm Meeting Begins
Location: Novartis* Room 4.104, 4560 Horton St, Emeryville,
CA *Novartis security
procedures require check-in at
the guard station on 53rd St at Chiron
Way prior to
parking. Meeting is held in building 4 (5300 Chiron
Way),
Room 104. Enter the doors nearest the big
yellow stucco ball. Sign in
with the security at the
front desk.
Cost: Suggested donation to cover the cost of food: $10
non-members, $5 members
Visit: www.eastbayawis.org
AWIS Palo Alto Chapter
Event: Explorations in Science with Dr. Julie Yu
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Location: PARC Auditorium
3333 Coyote Hill Road, Palo Alto
Cost: Members pay $4 and non-members pay $7 to offset
the cost of food.
You don't need to be a member to attend. All scientists, students, and their friends are welcome. Men too!
See also www.tinyurl.com/PARC-Auditorium for map/directions.
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Opportunities |
AWIS Educational Foundation Awards for Undergraduates
New this year! The AWIS Educational Foundation has re-focused its grant giving priorities. New scholarships are available for undergraduate women in science.
Application Deadline: January 23, 2009
Click here for more information
Society for Women's Health Research Accepting Nominations for Prize for Contributions to Women's Health
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Society for Women's Health Research Medtronic Prize for Scientific Contributions to Women's Health. The annual $75,000 prize recognizes a woman scientist or engineer for her contributions to women's health. It also encourages women scientists and engineers to work on issues uniquely related to women's health and rewards women who have devoted a significant part of their careers to this area. The prize will be given to an outstanding scientist or engineer in mid-career whose work has led or will lead directly to the improvement of women's health. The recipient's commitment to sex differences research and their success as a role model and as a mentor will be noted.
The application deadline is Jan. 28, 2009, and the award will be presented at the Society's annual gala on April 20, in Washington, D.C.
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AWIS FELLOW SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Jane Lubchenco |
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Support AWIS
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Help other women in science! Donate to AWIS for its programs and/or to the Educational Foundation for its fellowships.
Your tax-deductible donation to AWIS supports the wide-ranging advocacy
and career development activities of the National Office and the
Executive Board.
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