Greetings!
Today, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. NIH, AHRQ, NSF and a new prevention and wellness fund will see substantial funding increases including:
- NIH - $10 billion, including $7.4 billion for distribution to the institutes and centers, $1.3 billion for extramural construction and equipment, $800 million for the Office of the Director for trans-NIH initiatives, and $500 million for improvements to the NIH campus
- AHRQ - $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research
- NSF - $3 billion, including $2.5 billion for research, $400 million for construction and equipment, and $100 million for education and human resources
- Prevention and wellness fund - $1 billion, of which some portion will be allocated to CDC
Track what this might mean for you in future issues of the Washington Wire - Government Section.
Best regards,
Janet
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Janet Bandows Koster Executive Director |
Education |
The Gap in Retention and Completion Rates Between Two and Four-Year Colleges As of 2005, two-year colleges accounted for 40% of total college enrollment. However, the retention and degree completion rates for two-year colleges are consistently lower than the retention rates of four-year colleges and universities. For example, three-quarters of first-time students who start at a four-year college persist to the second year, compared to about half of first-time students who start at a two-year college. The demographic differences between two-year and four-year colleges may help explain this disparity. Two-year college students are more than twice as likely to be enrolled part-time, and more than 50% of two-year college students are employed, compared to only 38% of four-year college students. This paper uses a human capital framework in reviewing various policy solutions put forward to address the gap in persistence and degree completion.
Retention and Graduation Rates for Two-Year Colleges
Change in Boardroom Dynamics as Women's Presence Increases on College Boards A recent survey by the Cornell Higher Education Research Institution and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges shows an increase from 20% to 31% of female members on college boards. During the same period, the percentage of college and university boards being chaired by women increased from 10% to 18%. These findings are consistent with Wellesley Centers for Women research on women serving on boards of Fortune 1000 companies. According to the Wellesley Centers' research, as the number of women on boards increases, the less likely their viewpoints are marginalized or ignored. And consistent with the notion of a "critical mass," women who served on boards with at least two other females reported that their opinions were more highly valued.
Increase of Women on College Boards |
Government |
Decline in
Research and Development Funding for Federal Agencies
Recent data from the National Science Foundation, show a 4.8% decrease in
federal funds for Research and Development from fiscal year 2007 to 2008. And
the expected total for 2008, is 7.5% lower than the total for 2005.
Obligations for research by all federal agencies declined at an estimated
average annual rate of 2.1% between 2004 and 2008. These numbers are
largely driven by funding for the Department of Health and Human Services
which accounts for nearly 53% of all federal research support. Fiscal Year 2008
data show that for the first time, the Department of Energy research
budget is expected to exceed that of the Department of Defense.
Downward Trend for Federal Funding
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International |
Can Globalization Help Women Out of Traditional Gender Roles?
In an increasingly globalized world, what kinds of changes will we see with
women and gender roles? This was just one of the many topics discussed at a
recent global conference in Deauville, France entitled Women Forum for the
Economy and Society, which included women from 90 countries. Globalization
spreads knowledge, goods, and people across international borders and has the
potential to challenge cross-cultural gender roles. Does this mean
globalization will increase women's self-sufficiency and equality? It's a
tricky question. Increasing participation in the global marketplace will put
women at the mercy of the market and women benefit poorly if only goods and
money cross international borders. However, the spread of ideas and information
that comes with a globalized world can influence local laws, contracts, and
investments to the benefit of women. One thing is clear: Women have a stake in
the shape globalization takes over the long-term.
Globalization's Affect on Women
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Careers |
Increase in Unemployment Gender Gap More men than women are currently unemployed and that disparity is growing, due,
in part, to the nature of the job losses incurred during this recession.
Most of the recent layoffs occurred in sectors dominated by men including construction
and manufacturing. Industries such as healthcare and education, which
employ more women than men, are continuing to expand. "Given how stark and concentrated the job losses are among men, and
that women represented a high proportion of the labor force in the
beginning of this recession, women are now bearing the burden - or the
opportunity, one could say - of being breadwinners," says Heather
Boushey, a senior economist at the Center for American Progress.
As Layoffs Surge, Women May Pass Men in Job Force
What it Takes for African American Women to
Succeed in Science
This research demonstrates that
despite a great interest in science many young African American women find that
to stay in afloat in the sciences they must "swim against the tide." Given the low
expectations and race discrimination they often encounter, an unexpected
conclusion, according to the research, is that they persevere. The book, Swing
Against the Tide: African American Women and Science Education indicates how
these students succeed and what obstacles they overcome. Based on statistics,
surveys, and interviews, the author shows this pool of young women should
recruited and murtured to study science if the US hopes overcome an expected
decrease in up and coming scientists.
Swimming Against the Tide
Gender
Bias Found in Student Ratings of High School Science Teachers
A recent Science Education research paper, "Unraveling Bias from
Student Evaluations of their High School Science Teachers" published
results from a study done by researchers at Clemson University, University of
Virginia, and Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. The study found that
female high school science teachers received lower evaluations than their male
counterparts even though male and female teachers are equally effective at
preparing their students for college. Other
non-gender based factors contributed to teacher ratings. For example, teachers
who related the course material to real-world examples tended to receive higher
student ratings.
Female Teachers Rated Lower than Male Teachers
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Science and Health |
Multivitamins Not Reducing Risk for Heart Disease or Cancer
Doubt has been cast on the effectiveness of daily
multivitamins in reducing the risk for common cancers or heart disease in women
based on the results of a new study out this week. Over 160,000 women enrolled in the Women's
Health Initiative were followed for nearly a decade, and approximately forty
percent of these women reported taking a daily multivitamin. The majority of
the women taking multivitamins had a lower body mass index, were more likely to
participate in regular physical activity, and eat more fruits and
vegetables. These women were also less
likely to smoke, although they were also more likely to consume alcohol when
compared to women who did not take a multivitamin. In spite of these seemingly healthy habits,
the incidence of death, heart disease, and common cancers, including breast,
colorectal, and lung cancer, was not significantly different in women using
daily multivitamins compared to women not taking vitamins. This large study supports previous findings
that suggest no clear health benefit for consumption of multivitamins.
Multivitamins Miss the Mark
Encouraging Results for Women Using Anti-HIV Microbicide
The first large-scale clinical trial investigating the
effectiveness of anti-HIV topical microbicides in women shows some protection
against infection. Topical microbicides are gels or creams that are applied
topically prior to sexual intercourse and can prevent infection by sexually
transmitted diseases, including HIV.
This Phase II/IIb trial was carried out in South Africa and included
more than 3,000 women, some of whom received placebos, and others who received
one of two different microbicides. Women
were enrolled in this trial for approximately 20 months and HIV infection was
detected 194 women. One of the microbicides,
called PRO 2000, showed some effectiveness in preventing infection, but this
finding was not statistically significant. Nonetheless, this large study lends
further momentum into research for topical microbicides against HIV.
Microbicides Hinder HIV Infection
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Lifestyle
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Telework Revs Up as More Employers Offer Work Flexibility
WorldatWork, the global human resources association, has
found that telecommuting at least one day per
month by US employees has increased 39% in the last two years. The trend demonstrates
employers are increasingly flexible. Rose Stanley, work-life practice leader at WorldatWork, says that
"Employers seem more willing to try new ways of working" with increasing
inquiries from "employers wanting to learn how to pilot a elework program, the
do's and don'ts of managing virtual workers, and how to use telework to reward
and motivate talent." Other key findings include a shift away from full-time
telework to occasional telework, and resistence of respondents to give up some
pay in exchange for being allowed to telecommute.
Increase in Occasional Telecommuting
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AWIS News and Events |
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AWIS
Massachusetts Chapter
Event: The
PHARM Game�
Facilitated by Dr. Elizabeth Treher, of The Learning Key
Join MASS AWIS for a fun and
interactive game to learn more about the pharmaceutical industry. The PHARM
Game� is a proven learning tool to teach novice and experienced employees about
pharmaceutical drug discovery and development. Date: Thursday, February 19, 2009
Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm - Organizational
Meeting
Location: Novartis, 220 Massachusetts
Ave, Cambridge MA
Cost: $10 MASS AWIS members,
$20 non-members.
Register:
http://www.acteva.com/booking
Contact [email protected] with any questions. Sign
up soon as space is limited!
AWIS East Bay Chapter
Event: Winter Workshop 2009
BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It™ with Peggy Klaus
Date: Saturday, February 28th, 2009
Time: 8.30-9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
9.00-12:00 Workshop
12:00-2:00 Lunch and Networking
Location: Rothwell Center Faculty-Staff Dining Room
Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA
Cost: AWIS Members - $30, Non-members - $45,
Students and Postdocs - $25.
Onsite registration add $5 and BYO lunch.
Register: No later than Feb, 24th online at: www.acteva.com
AWIS LA/Ventura County Chapter
Event: Public Star Party Join us for a fun chance to meet your fellow AWIS members and gaze at the stars and the beautiful LA cityscape at night! This low-key activity is for everyone! Date: Saturday, March 7th, 2009 Time: 6:00pm - 9:45pm Location: Griffith Park Observatory, http://www.griffithobservatory.org Cost: FREE Register: Please RSVP to Jennifer Gordon at [email protected].
AWIS Palo Alto
Chapter
Event:
Wominnovation with Francine Gordon, Ph.D. What challenges face women
innovators? In what ways do women innovate differently than men? What does it
take to become more innovative? Please join us for a stimulating talk about
women and innovation with Dr. Francine Gordon, an organization consultant and
executive coach who runs her own consulting firm (F Gordon Group). Her expertise
includes fostering creativity and innovation in business and supporting women to
advance into executive positions. Date: Thursday, March 12, 2009
Time: 7:00-7:30pm Networking and light
supper 7:30-7:45pm
Announcements 7:45-8:45pm
Program 8:45-9:00pm Discussion
Location: PARC Auditorium, 3333 Coyote
Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: Members - $4, non-members - $7 to offset the cost of food
Register:
http://www.acteva.com/go/pa-awis
AWIS San Diego Chapter
Event: 2009 Women in Science and Technology (WIST) Conference
The biennial AWIS
conference formerly known as, "Women in bioScience," (WIB) is expanding
its focus this year, encompassing topics relevant to all women in
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This one-day
symposium includes two keynote speakers and a series of workshops,
round-tables, and seminars focusing on career and personal development
and hot topics in science.
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009
Time: 7:30am to 6:00pm
Location: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Register: All are welcome and can register at: http://awis.sdsc.edu
Registration closes on May 6. Early Bird rates end March 15!
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Opportunities |
2009 Postdoctoral Professional Development and Enrichment Award
Offered by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), the award was established to recognize outstanding achievement by early stage life scientists from underrepresented minority (URM) groups. A total of six individual awards are available to provide resources to support the development and enrichment of leadership skills and training of postdoctoral fellows or new (within one-year) assistant professors. Applicants must be members of a FASEB Society. Membership status will be subject to verification by the member society identified in the application. Applications are accepted electronically only until March 13, 2009.
Click here for more information
James S. McDonnell Foundation Research Awards21st Century Research Awards are designed to support research projects with a high probability of generating new knowledge and insights. Projects submitted for funding consideration should be at an early, even preliminary stage of development, and should be intended to break new ground or to challenge commonly-held assumptions. Projects submitted should be sufficiently novel, cross-disciplinary, or heterodox so that they have a strong likelihood of influencing the development of new ways of thinking about important problems Application Deadline: March 17, 2009
Click here for more information or to apply
Stanford Biochemistry Founders' Award for Doctoral Excellence Now seeking nominations for the Stanford Biochemistry Founders Award to recognize outstanding achievement by women pursuing graduate studies in biochemistry and molecular biosciences. Recipients will participate in a one day symposium on May 22, 2009 at Stanford University. Awardees will be advanced students near the completion of their studies and will not have graduated before 9/1/08. Up to six awardees will be selected on the basis of the quality, originality, and significance of their work; the award will include travel and accommodation expenses and a $500 honorarium. Nominations should be submitted electronically (as a single pdf document) by a faculty member, and should include the student's CV, a one page description of the thesis work (written by the student), and a recommendation letter. A second recommendation letter (pdf) should be sent separately by its author. Nomination materials should state clearly how the nominee's work has advanced our understanding of the molecular basis of a significant biological process. Submission deadline: March 20, 2009. Email to [email protected] | |
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AWIS FELLOW SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Alice S. Huang |
Alice S. Huang, a senior faculty associate in biology at the California Institute of Technology and a lifelong advocate for women in science, has been chosen to serve as president-elect of AAAS beginning February 17, at the close of the 2009 Annual Meeting in Chicago. Dr. Huang was honored as an AWIS Fellow in 1998. More about Dr. Huang |
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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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