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Greetings!
It's election time! The country will be voting in November but we need you to VOTE NOW in AWIS National Board elections.
Candidate bios and statements of interest are posted on the AWIS website.
The polls close October 8, 2010.
Thanks,
Janet |
| Education | |
Contributed by: Christine DiRienzo
Giving Postdocs Some Respect
National Postdoc Appreciation week was officially recognized after a House resolution (H. Res 1545) was passed on 23 September 2010. The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) garnered the support of U.S. representative Cliff Stearns (R-Florida) to create a National Postdoc Appreciation Week. The third week in September has been named to celebrate and recognize the contribution postdocs make to the nation's scientific advancements. The House Education and Labor Committee previously waived the requirement for 25 co-sponsors.
Does Tenure Allow Scientific Misconduct?
A 20-year analysis of Harvard faculty dismissals following scientific misconduct revealed that tenured faculty were more likely to keep their jobs while junior faculty were released from their research and teaching duties. Interest in the impact of tenure on action to scientific misconduct was renewed after Harvard psychology professor, Marc D. Hauser was cited with eight instances of research misconduct. According the American Association of University Professors, misrepresentation, falsification, and research misconduct are some viable reasons for dismissal. Although Harvard's 2004 statutes allow their highest governing body to dismiss tenured faculty, this remains an extreme rarity. Troubling tenure |
| Careers | Contributed by: Beth Rose
Does the End of the Stimulus Act Mean the End of Your Job?
In 2009, researchers around the US received a much-needed boost in available research dollars thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, also known as the Stimulus Act). However, while millions were given out, this cash flow is coming to an end September 30th and NIH's budget may drop by as much as 15% as it reverts back to its pre-stimulus state. Not only will this mean a drop in money for University researchers, but also for the economies they support by purchasing their products. This loss in funds may put a number of research and biotech related jobs in jeopardy an already gloomy job market. Cash injection endsRetirement Planning and WomenPlanning for your retirement can be both confusing and rewarding. Many women take extra care to make sure that they are investing wisely for their future. And since women tend to live longer than men, it is probably good that they try to be extra savvy with their pennies! However, a recent survey found that women's retirement funds were, on average, only two-thirds the size of men's. Furthermore, women report that they feel underserved and dissatisfied by the financial-services industry. This may mean that women need to shop around more when they are looking for someone to assist with their retirement planning. Short-changed in retirement |
| Science and Health | Contributed by: Anahita Hamidi
NIH Begins Recruiting Across the USA for Long-term National Children's Health Study
A new study initiative started at the NIH will 100,000 track children from before birth through to age 21 in an effort to better understand the impact of genetics and environment on children's health and development. The study is currently in its pilot phase, but as soon as enough data has been collected to inform the main study, the approach will be broken up into three stages aimed at different recruitment strategies. 30 institutions across the country will participate, with 10 institutions participating in one of three strategy tiers. This study is the first of its kind aimed at collecting tractable data on children's health and in the words of Steven Hirschfield, M.D. Ph.D. and acting director of the National Children's Study: "the wealth of information we hope to amass could have a major impact on the health of future generations."
New children's health study
Best Advice for Women Trying to Get Pregnant? Just relax!
A new study published in the Journal of Women's Health suggests a direct correlation between stress levels and difficulties in conceiving. Women between the ages of 18 and 40 with no previous fertility problems were tested for the presence of the stress hormone cortisol and the enzyme alpha-amylase across a six month period. High levels of cortisol (a typical bench mark for stress levels) did not predict fertility problems, but higher levels of alpha-amylase did. In fact, women with higher levels of the enzyme were found to be 12% less likely to become pregnant. Whether the stress or the infertility problems come first is not entirely clear. It is a bit of a classic chicken and egg problem, but certainly it can't hurt if you find yourself feeling stressed to just...take a deep breath.
Pregnancy problems
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| Work-Life Satisfaction | Contributed by: Beth Rose
Does Money Buy Happiness?
One of the many things one considers when choosing a career or looking for a new job is how much you will get paid. While it may be tempting to choose a career that comes with a big paycheck, new findings presented in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicated that after about $75,000 a year, increased income does not have any effect on happiness or other measures of satisfaction. While some people seem hardwired to want to earn lots of money, many others discover that money cannot buy happiness if you don't enjoy the work that you do in order to earn it.
Happiness
Physicists Say Our Time Is Up
Physicists believe that time itself may come to an end in the relatively near future. The researchers came to that conclusion after realizing that the laws of physics only worked if the universe was limited in duration. The good news? For astrophysicists, "the relatively near future" means sometime in the next 3.7 billion years.
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| AWIS News and Events |
AWIS Massachusetts Chapter
Event: Mass-AWIS Q3 Board Meeting
Date: Thursday, September 30
Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM
AWIS DC Metropolitan Chapter
Event: Chapter Potluck Picnic & 30th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Sunday, October 3
Time: 12:30PM - 3:30PM
AWIS San Diego Chapter
Event: Strategy Session: Managing Your Professional Networks
Date: Monday, October 4
Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM
The Advancement of Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Leadership Summit
Event: AWIS National and Working Mother Media
Date: Monday, October 4
Time: 8:00AM - 4:15PM
AWIS DC Metropolitan Chapter
Event: Career Opportunities in Government
Date: Tuesday, October 5
Time: 6:30PM - 9:30PM
AWIS Massachusetts Chapter
Event: Mass AWIS Speed Networking
Date: Tuesday, October 5
Time: 6:00PM - 9:00PM
AWIS Metropolitan New York Chapter
Event:Work-Life Satisfaction Program
Date: Tuesday, October 5
Time: 6:00PM - 8:30PM
AWIS Central Jersey Chapter
Date: Wednesday, October 6
Event: AWIS Work-Life Satisfaction Program
Time: 6:00PM - 8:30PM
AWIS Los Angeles Ventura County
Event: Stretch Your Way to Daily Stress Management
Date: Thursday, October 7
Time: 6:30PM - 9:30PM
AWIS Massachusetts Chapter
Event: How to Balance a Successful Career and a Satisfying Life
Date: Tuesday, October 12
Time: 6:30PM - 9:00PM
AWIS Metropolitan New York Chapter
Event: Careers in Environmental Science
Date: Saturday, October 16
Time: 8:30AM - 12:00PM
AWIS Central Arizona Chapter
Event: Guest Speaker Marcia Reynolds
Date: Thursday,October 21
Time: 5:30PM - 7:30PM
AWIS National & AWIS Bethesda Chapter
Event: USA Science & Engineering Festival on the Mall
Date: Saturday, October 23 - Sunday, October 24
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM each day
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Opportunities |
Lemelson-MIT Prize
Deadline: October 5, 2010
The $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize recognizes individuals who translate their ideas into inventions and innovations that improve the world in which we live. Click here for more information.
AAAS Invites Nominations for the New AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science
Deadline: October 15, 2010
Nominations are invited for the new AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science. Nominations may be made by AAAS affiliate organizations, universities, government agencies, media, research organizations, and individuals.
NIH National Graduate Student Research Festival
Date: October 25, 2010
An annual two-day event held on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. This year's Festival will introduce 200 advanced graduate students in the sciences to the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) with the aim of recruiting them to do postdoctoral training at the NIH. Learn more
2011 Alan T. Waterman Award
Deadline: October 30, 2010
Each year, the Foundation bestows the Waterman Award to recognize the talent, creativity, and influence of a singular young researcher. Nominations must be submitted electronically using NSF's FastLane system.
2011 National Science Board Public Service Award
Deadline: November 3, 2010
The
National Science Board (NSB) Public Service Award honors individuals
who and groups that have made substantial contributions to increasing
public understanding of science and engineering in the United States. These contributions may be in a wide variety of areas that have the
potential of contributing to public understanding of and appreciation
for science and engineering - including mass media, education and/or
training programs, entertainment, etc. Recipients of the NSB Public
Service Award include NUMB3RS, the CBS television drama series; Ira
Flatow, Host and Executive Producer of NPR's "Science Friday"; Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation; Bill Nye The Science Guy; and NOVA, the PBS
television series.
View 2011 Nomination Flyer
To nominate, visit http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/awards/public.jsp.
2011 Vannevar Bush Award
Deadline: November 3, 2010
The Vannevar Bush Award is awarded annually to truly exceptional
lifelong leaders in science and technology who have made substantial
contributions to the welfare of the Nation through public service
activities in science, technology, and public policy. Recent recipients
include: Bruce Alberts, Editor-in-Chief, Science Magazine; Mildred
Dresselhaus, Institute Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
and Norman Augustine, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
the Board, Lockheed Martin Corporation.
View 2011 Nomination Flyer
To nominate, visit www.nsf.gov/nsb/awards/bush.jsp.
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
This program has a rolling admission.
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. Click here for more 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. 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. Click here for application materials and detailed information.
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At UC Berkeley Extension, gain a thorough overview of the regulations and guidelines that govern clinical trials, a human testing procedure that is an essential part of the drug development process for biopharmaceutical companies.
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AWIS FELLOW SPOTLIGHT
| Past President Donna J. Dean, PhD receives Advocacy Award from the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health.
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SUPPORT AWIS
| Help other women in science! Donate to AWIS for its programs and awards.
Your tax-deductible donation to AWIS supports the wide-ranging advocacy
and career development activities of the National Office and the
Executive Board.
| Learn more
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AWIS Partners with USA Science & Engineering Festival
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More Info Here!
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