Greetings!
We've Moved!
The AWIS national office has moved to Alexandria, Virginia. Our new address is:
Association for Women in Science
1442 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
You can continue to access the AWIS website at www.awis.org for a host of career and informational resources.
Or, write to us directly at:
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Janet
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Janet Bandows Koster
Executive Director |
| Education |
Contributed by: Sanjukta Chakraborty
Preparing America's New Generation of Teachers
The U.S. Department of Education estimates that around 3.2 million teachers are currently employed in America. However, with more than half are on the verge of retirement. The demand for teachers is going to significantly increase in the next few years. Leading educational and research institutions across the U.S. are gearing up to establish innovative teaching programs and making the most of all available technologies to better prepare America's next generation of teachers. Helped by modern technologies and teaching curricula of reputed universities these teachers will surely empower many future generations to come.
Teachers of the next generation
Degrees That Pay Back
Many of us often wondered during our high school years which college degree would help us get the best paying job. While expert opinion may differ widely the PayScale College Salary Report gives a comprehensive list of the top 10 college majors that could lead to high paying jobs, as well as the best undergraduate college degrees by salary. Although, it is evident that scientists and engineers stand to gain more financially, plenty of money can still be made with various other college degrees.
Which course pays more?
Math, Tech and the Women Who Don't Love Them
Women represent over 46% of the American workforce but account for a mere 25% of jobs in science, technology, and engineering. According to former astronaut Sally K. Ride this discrepancy could be severely detrimental to America's place in the global competition. Dr. Ride, a visible emissary of President Obama's efforts to improve science and math education, believes that while a lot of money is needed to attract more teachers and make the best of all available resources part of the gender gap lies in social and cultural expectations. Young girls are most susceptible to being put off from science and math by lowered expectations and negative stereotypes. Expressing a need for higher expectations from students, Dr. Ride says that schools should subject their performance to quantitative measures and compete for government funding.
Set higher standards |
| Government |
Contributed by: Jennifer K. Wind
Policy Changes in Chemical Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 is being expanded to closely regulate a new list of "chemicals of concern." Chemicals on the list include those used in many common plastics. Different chemicals found on the list will be subject to action plans regarding production, use, export, and disposal.
"Chemicals of concern"
Bolstering Biosecurity in the USA
A report has been released by a government working group reevaluating the handling, storage, and management of dangerous pathogens used in scientific research in the USA. The newly recommended biosecurity measures will stagger security levels based on the harmfulness of a given toxin. This report may help The Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2009 pass Congress.
Primary source: biosecurity report |
| International |
Contributed by: Lindsay De Biase
New "Chinese NIH" Should Spur Growth in Basic Research
After a long, uphill battle basic biomedical research in China has won a major victory. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) has launched a medical department which will disburse 1 billion renminbi ($150 million) in grants in 2010. Though, the department will not have an intramural program like the NIH funding will be used to promote basic research that addresses significant problems in human disease. An additional victory for women in science is in Wang Hong-Yang, a prominent female scientist studying liver cancer has been named as the department's first Director.
Promoting biomedical research in China |
| Careers |
Contributed by: Sarah Rhodes
The Rise of Women in the Workplace
Two recent articles in The Economist focus on the role of women in the workplace. Recognizing that women are teetering on the edge of making up 50% of the workforce the first article looks at what it refers to as the 'quiet revolution.' The positive aspects such as economic empowerment and extra brainpower are addressed as are negative aspects such as inequality and problems balancing work and a family. The second article looks into the future and considers how different countries are coping with this change.
Women and work - we did it
Women in the workforce - female power
Job Hot List
Do you want to know how good your job is compared with others? Take a look at a recently published list of 200 occupations in America ranked from best to worst. The rankings were based on five criteria - environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands, and stress. Actuary, software engineer, computer systems analyst, biologist, and historian came out on top (in that order). Luckily for us, no science disciplines came out in the bottom 10!
Best and worst jobs 2010 |
| Science and Health |
Contributed by: Lauren DiPerna
Unreliable Calorie Labels
A recently article published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows that calories listed for restaurant meals and frozen supermarket foods are inaccurate. The researchers inspected 18 side and main dishes from national chain restaurants, 11 side and main dishes from national fast food restaurants, and 10 standard supermarket frozen meals. They found on average the calorie content of restaurant dishes was 18% higher than stated, and frozen foods had 8% more calories than shown on labels. The research suggests that people basing their diet on calorie labels alone may gain weight despite thinking they are keeping within specific daily calorie intakes.
Don't believe everything you read!
Tastier with Calcium
On January 8, 2010 the Journal of Biological Chemistry published research showing that calcium can enhance our body's ability to perceive sweet, salty, or umami (savory) tastes. Researchers tested this initial theory on cell samples and then with volunteers who were asked to distinguish the strength of sweetness or saltiness given to them in flavored water drinks. They found that extracellular calcium-sensing receptor agonists, including calcium, enhanced basic tastes despite having no taste of their own. These results may help to create healthier meals that taste sweet or salty, but contain little sugar or salt.
A spoonful of calcium...? |
| Lifestyle |
Contributed by: Anna Durrans
Action Against Discriminatory Health Care Reform
The National Women's Law Center (NWLC) is appealing for support to fight a modification to health care legislation, which would remove abortive care. The Stupak-Pitts amendment would prevent healthcare insurance from covering abortion that most insurance plans currently cover. This amendment has been proposed to members of Congress who are working on producing a final health care bill for the government. Furthermore, the NWLC implies that insurance companies already discriminate against women by refusing to cover caesarian sections or injury from domestic abuse, by claiming that these are "pre-existing conditions."
Call for action! |
| AWIS News and Events |
AWIS Baltimore, Bethesda and DC Metropolitan Chapters
Event:New Year's Networking Party
Date: January 21, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
AWIS Palo Alto Chapter
Event:Skills, Strategies & Super Powers for the 21st Century Woman
Date: January 21, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
AWIS Chicago Chapter
Event: Lift a Fork with AWIS Chicago
Date: January 23, 2010
Time: 4:30 PM-6:30 PM
AWIS National Webinar
Event: Getting The Most Out of The AWIS website!
Dates: January 25, 2010 at 12:00 PM
January 26, 2010 at 4:00 PM
AWIS East Bay Chapter
Event: January Chapter Meeting
Date: January 28, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
AWIS Massachusetts Chapter
Event: Work Life Satisfaction Program
Date: February 16, 2010
Time: 3:00 PM-5:00 PM
AWIS Bethesda Chapter
Event:Stranger in a Strange Land: Musings from a Neurologist Living Among Psychiatrists
Date: February 17, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM
AWIS Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter
Event: Work-Life Satisfaction Program
Date: February 17, 2010
Time: 6:00 PM-8:30 PM
AWIS San Diego Chapter
Event: Work Life Satisfaction Program
Date: February 18, 2010
Time: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM |
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Opportunities |
The International Institute for Applied Systems
Analysis (IIASA) Summer Fellowship in Austria
Each summer, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), located in Schloss Laxenburg near Vienna, Austria, hosts a selected group of graduate students, primarily doctoral, from around the world in its Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP). These students work closely with IIASA's senior scientists on projects within the Institute's 3 theme areas. For more information see IIASA. Application deadline is January 18, 2010.
The Mathematical Association of America
Women and Mathematics Grants
The MAA plans to award grants for projects designed to encourage college and university women or high school and middle school girls to study mathematics. The Tensor Foundation, working through the MAA, is soliciting college, university and secondary mathematics faculty (in conjunction with college or university faculty) and their departments and institutions to submit proposals. Proposal deadline is February 12, 2010. For more information please visit the MAA website.
BeWISE Call for Presentations
Event: Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet
Date: Thursday, March 11 - Friday, March 12, 2010
Location: United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5 Office
77 West Jackson Blvd., 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60604
More Info: http://www.epa.gov/region5/water/wise/
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA)
AWIS members are invited to attend NPA's 8th Annual Meeting and the National Summit on Gender and the Postdoctorate. The NPA's Executive Director Cathee Johnson Phillips said, "Many of the issues that women scientists face are often magnified during the postdoctoral experience. We would really value the input of AWIS members at both of these meetings."
The NPA's 8th Annual Meeting will be held in Philadelphia March 12-14. Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes for Health, will be the Keynote Speaker. Please visit NPA's website for more information.
The National Summit on Gender and the Postdoctorate precedes the Annual Meeting and also takes place in Philadelphia March 10-11. Dr. Kathie Olsen, Senior Advisor to the National Science Foundation will be the Keynote Speaker. Please visit NPA's website for more information.
National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI)
2010 Tech in the Works Competition
Letter of Interest Due: March 23, 2010
Proposals Due: April 6, 2010
Scholarship for PhD and Postdoctoral Studies in Sweden
The program provides PhD students and researchers with an excellent opportunity to conduct a study or research visit to a Swedish university within all fields of study. For more information click here.
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
This program offers one to three year postdoctoral fellowships designed to increase the involvement of scientists and engineers from academia and industry to scientific and technical areas of interest and relevance to the Navy. This program has a rolling admission.
Go to: http://www.asee.org/resources/nrl/ for detailed program information.
The Naval Research Enterprise Intern Program (NREIP) NREIP is a ten week summer research opportunity for undergraduate Juniors & Seniors, and Graduate students, under the guidance of a mentor, at a participating Navy Laboratory. The stipend amounts for the program are $5,500 for undergraduate students and $6,500 for graduate students. U.S. citizenship required; Permanent residents accepted at certain labs.
Go to: http://www.asee.org/nreip for application deadlines and detailed program information.
Humboldt Research Fellowship
Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers are for postdoctoral scientists and scholars who have completed a doctoral degree within four years prior to the application submission date are eligible. This fellowship allows for a stay of 6-24 months in Germany and provides a monthly stipend of 2,250 EUR. Click here for application materials and detailed information.
Fellowships for Experienced Researchers are for scientists and scholars who have completed a doctoral degree within twelve years prior to the application submission date are eligible.
This fellowship allows for a stay of 6-18 months in Germany which may be divided into a maximum of three visits of at least three months each and provides a monthly stipend of 2,450 EUR. Click here for application materials and detailed information. | |
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AWIS PRESIDENT SPOTLIGHT
Joan M. Herbers, PhD
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AWIS welcomes Dr. Joan M. Herbers as President of the national board.
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| NEW MENTORING RESOURCE |
 ALL NEW!
Getting the Most out of Your Mentoring Relationships: A Handbook for Women in STEM
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Provides a quick yet structured guide to mentoring
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Includes a handy resource guide for quick reference
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Is the most comprehensive handbook catered to women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
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Who's Hiring?
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Core Informatics Department Head
DOE Joint Genome Institute
Dean-School of Science
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Structural Engineer
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
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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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Learn more
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