AWIS
________________________________________________________________________

ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE

Washington Wire

 

August 2011
Issue I

Greetings!

  
AWIS will be holding elections in late September and the AWIS Governance Committee invites nominations or self-nominations of those members who wish to be considered as potential candidates. In assembling the final slate of candidates, the Governance Committee will consider the balance of skills, geography, and employment sector required for a well-rounded Board.

We are looking to fill the offices of Secretary and Treasurer, and two Councilor positions.  All current AWIS members are eligible to run for board positions.

The Secretary is responsible for taking minutes at Governing Board meetings, distributing minutes, and ensuring appropriate record retention. They are elected every second year and assume office on
January 1 of the year following the election.

The Treasurer is elected every two years and assumes office on January 1 of the year following the election. The Treasurer is the chief fiscal officer of the Association and it is expected that candidates for Treasurer are active AWIS members and have a portfolio of financial skills and experiences. 

Councilors assume responsibility for AWIS initiatives, represent the membership on the Board, and help set policy for the organization. They serve for a period of three years and should be prepared to attend up to three Board meetings per year. (AWIS does not reimburse travel expenses.)

For more information, view a copy of the AWIS Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws or the 2011-2014 Strategic Plan.

By September 1, 2011 please e-mail a resume (no longer than two pages) and a statement of interest to: [email protected] - put "ELECTION" in the subject line.

Please include:
  1. Name
  2. Mailing address (home or work)
  3. Phone numbers (work, cell, fax)
  4. E-mail address.
  5. Position for which the candidate is running (Treasurer, Secretary, Councilor)
  6. CV (maximum 3 pages) including current professional position and professional activities
  7. Statement of Interest (maximum two pages) which should address (1) Involvement in AWIS and/or other women in science and engineering activities; (2) Why the candidate is interested in the position for which he or she is running; (3) Women in science issues or national committees that the candidate would work on as goals for National AWIS.
Serving in leadership roles in professional organizations like AWIS can provide you  with invaluable opportunities to network and gain marketable skills, while also exchanging ideas and experiences with other women in STEM from around the country. "Think resume building."

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Susan Fitzpatrick, PhD
Chair, AWIS Governance Committee

Members:
Joan Herbers, PhD
Jodi Wesemann, PhD
Judith Iriarte-Gross, PhD
In This Issue
Careers
Education
Health
Science and Technology
Work Life Satisfaction
Events
Opportunities
Careers
  
Masculine and Feminine Norms that Hinder or Help Career Growth
A look at the number of women in the workforce and those holding top level positions shows that masculine norms of leadership may be hurting women's advancement.  A professor of management at Wharton, Monica McGrath, says that an office built on women's norms would be more innovative around policy issues that relate to family.  A survey of women-led companies shows that that these companies provide health insurance, life insurance, retirement, and telecommuting at a large rate.
 
Nurturing employees for success

Women at Chemical and Engineering Firms
This table shows the number of female board members and executive officers at some of the largest chemical and engineering companies.  

By the numbers

Clean Up Your E-Mail Habits
Respect is the foundation of good e-mail communications, experts say. Some behaviors that could hurt your work relationships include using auto responses too much, sending too many follow-up e-mails and CC-ing a boss when there's a conflict in an exchange, they say.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T
  
Education
  

STEM Scholarship Program Extended
With the help of a five-year, $600,000 NSF grant, St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota has extended the life of its scholarship program designed to increase the number of women studying in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.  At least 65 students majoring in biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, physics, or engineering will be eligible for scholarships. 

 

Financial aid  

 

Bridges to the Baccalaureate Encourages Students in STEM
A program at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, offers paid research internships to minorities and students with disabilities.  Bridges to the Baccalaureate is funded by an $848,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health.  Cal Poly biology professor and program coordinator Emily Taylor says, "The ultimate goal is to demystify research, see how cool it can be, and encourage underrepresented students to go on to careers in science."

 

Summertime lab time  

 

Health
 
Working-Memory Training Increases Dopamine Release
Swedish and Finnish researchers using PET found that working-memory training can lead to an increase in release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain region called caudate. The finding "demonstrates the importance of dopamine for improving working-memory performance," said Lars Backman from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

Work out

Four Lifestyle Changes to Helping You Live Longer
Women who follow certain guidelines for healthy living can add up to 15 years to their life, while men who follow a similar regimen may add only 8.5 years, according to a study from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. The study examined the effects of smoking, exercise, eating habits and body weight to create a healthy lifestyle score. Risk of mortality quadrupled for women with the least healthy scores, compared with women with the healthiest scores.  

Longevity rules 
 
Science and Technology

10 Trends to Watch in Science and Tech
Big discoveries are happening in fields from medicine to information technology that could change the way we live in the future.  Stem cell heart generation, nano batteries, ocean desalination, paperless paper...what's next and what's to come?

Science prospects
  
Forbes Picks America's 20 Geekiest Cities
Using science and engineering indicators compiled by NSF, Forbes made a list of geeky cities as defined by the number of workers with a bachelor's level of knowledge and education in science or engineering-related fields. 

STEM havens

Work Life Satisfaction
  
60 Second Stress Busters
A few stress-relieving tricks can be key to survival for those who frequently find themselves navigating a storm of demands, Lisa Girard writes. Keeping a jump rope in the office, learning some stretches and breathing exercises and trying to visualize calming images can help without eating up a lot of time, Girard writes.

Slow your roll

Both Men and Women in Science Want More Children
It's often assumed that the choice to pass on parenting altogether or to raise fewer children affects women scientists more negatively than men, but the authors of a new study suggest that the effect on life satisfaction of having fewer children than desired is more pronounced for male faculty.  The study also finds that young scientists who have had fewer children than wished are more likely to plan to exit science entirely.

Bye bye baby 

 
AWIS News and Events
AWIS Central New Jersey Chapter
Event:  2011 Scholarship Winners & 15th Anniversary Reception
Date: August 16
Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM EDT
Register now
  
AWIS Los Angeles/Ventura County Chapter
Event:  Happy Hour at The Arsenal
Date: August 17
Time: 6:00PM - 8:30PM PDT
Register now
  
AWIS and SWE Joint Webinar
Event:  Skirt Strategies: The Intuition Model of 16 Feminine Traits
Date: August 18
Time: 5:00PM - 6:00PM EDT
Register now
 
AWIS Midwest Chapters
Event: Summer Meetup
Date: August 20
Time: 12:00PM - 6:00PM CST
Learn more
 

AWIS West Texas Chapter
Event: 40th Anniversary Picnic and Swim Party
Date: August 20
Time: 2:00PM - 6:00PM CDT

 
AWIS Northern California Chapters
Event: 5th Annual Family Potluck Picnic
Date: August 21
Time: 12:00PM - 3:00PM PST
Learn more 

 

AWIS Massachusetts Chapter
Event:  AWIS 40th Anniversary Annual Summer Picnic Potluck
Date: August 21
Time: 11:00AM - 3:00PM EDT
Register now
 
AWIS West Virginia Chapter
Event: A Celebration of Women in STEM in West Virginia
Date: August 21
Time: 1:00PM - 5:00PM EDT
Register now
 
AWIS Massachusetts Chapter
Event: Hands-on Resume Workshop
Date: August 25
Time: 6:00PM - 9:00PM EDT
Register now 
Opportunities

NSF One-Day Workshop on the Proposal and Merit Review Process
The National Science Foundation and Indiana University of Pennsylvania will be holding a one-day workshop on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. This workshop is primarily designed for researchers and educators less experienced in proposing to the NSF; however, more experienced proposers and NSF grantees may well find the workshop useful and informative.  The workshop will take place at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex from 7:30AM to 4:30PM.
 

Fellowship Opportunities in Technology Transfer - Negotiator 

The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Technology Transfer Center (TTC) has fellowship opportunities available to qualified candidates in one of the fastest growing fields, technology transfer. These fellowship opportunities let you combine your science background with a new career in the technology transfer field. Candidates must possess an advanced degree in the sciences and/or a law degree with a background in the sciences. Applications are accepted year round.  

 

Postdoctoral Program in Environmental Chemistry 

The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation is funding a principal investigator at a U.S. nonprofit institution.  The institution will be awarded $120,000 over two years to appoint a postdoctoral fellow in environmental chemistry.  Application deadline is August 25, 2011.
 
Career Awards at the Scientific Interface 

Burroughs Wellcome Fund's Career Awards at the Scientific Interface provide $500,000 to bridge advanced postdoctoral training and the first three years of faculty service. These awards are intended to foster the early career development of researchers with backgrounds in the physical/mathematical/computational sciences and engineers whose work addresses biological questions. These awards are open to U.S. and Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as to U.S. temporary residents.  Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements for this award may self-nominate by submitting an electronic pre-proposal by September 1, 2011

  

Elsevier Foundation Calls for 2011 New Scholars Proposals

The Elsevier Foundation is seeking new grant proposals for the 2011 New Scholars program which targets the attrition of talented women scientists in the academic pipeline. The Elsevier Foundation New Scholars program aims to support women scholars during the early stages of their demanding careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The deadline for New Scholars proposals is September 1, 2011.

 

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Tropical Infectious Diseases

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund / American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Tropical Infectious Diseases provides funding for selected individuals to conduct research in tropical infectious diseases (and, on occasion, other clinical conditions unique to tropical medicine).   The fellowship is designed to stimulate or sustain interest in research in tropical infectious diseases by individuals who are planning academic or other career paths ultimately focused on clinical research relevant to tropical or developing areas of the world.  Application deadline is September 7, 2011.

 

SELAM Award for Excellence for Promotion of Women in Academic Health Professions
The Society for Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine is seeking nominations of women executive leaders in academic medicine, healthcare and the sciences.  This award is given to the person who best demonstrates excellence in his/her commitment to the advancement and promotion of women in academic health professions.  The deadline for submissions is September 23, 2011.
  

 

International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the journal Science invite you to participate in this year's Challenge. The competition recognizes scientists, engineers, visualization specialists and artists who produce innovative work in visual communication. Winning entries will be published in Science and Science Online, and will be displayed on the NSF website.
Entry deadline is September 30, 2011

 

2012 Margaret L. Kripke Legend Award For Advancement and Promotion of Women in Cancer Medicine and Cancer Science
The Office of Women Faculty Programs at MD Anderson Cancer Center is requesting nominations for the fourth annual Margaret L. Kripke Legend Award, which recognizes an individual - female or male -  who has made significant contributions to the advancement and promotion of women in cancer medicine and cancer science. The deadline for nominations is October 3, 2011

 

Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics Scholarship
The Microsoft Research Graduate Women's Scholarship is a one-year scholarship program for outstanding women graduate students and is designed to help increase the number of women pursuing a PhD. This program supports women in the second year of their graduate studies. Women who are interested in this scholarship must apply during first year of graduate studies.  The scholarship recipient award includes US$15,000 for the 2012-2013 academic year.  The deadline for submissions is October 6, 2011.


Funding Opportunities 2012 NIH Directors Award Programs
NIH welcomes proposals for 2012 NIH Director's Pioneer Awards and New Innovator Awards for innovative approaches to major challenges in biomedical or behavioral research.   

 

The Pioneer Awards cover up to $2.5 million in direct costs over 5 years and open to scientists at any career stage.  See the instructions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement RFA-RM-11-004.  Send questions to [email protected].  The deadline for submitting Pioneer Award applications is October 7, 2011.  

 

The New Innovator Awards cover up to $1.5 million in direct costs over 5 years and are for early career stage investigators (ESI), defined as those who have not received an NIH R01 or similar grant and are within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree or medical residency.  See the instructions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement RFA-RM-11-005  for more information. Send questions to [email protected]The deadline for submitting New Innovator Award applications is October 14, 2011.

   
Fellowship for Women Scholar-Practitioners from Developing Nations

The School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, NM, USA is offering a Campbell six-month residential fellowship for a female postdoctoral social scientist from a developing nation whose work addresses women's economic and social empowerment in that nation.  Application deadline is November 1, 2011.

  

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AWIS Patron Member Spotlight

Bernadine Healy

AWIS mourns the loss of long-time AWIS Patron member and Fellow Bernadine Healy.

 

Dr. Healy was the first woman to head the National Institutes of Health and began the Women's Health Initiative.

Read Obit

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Help other women in science!  Donate to AWIS for its programs and awards.
  
Your tax-deductible donation to AWIS supports the wide-ranging advocacy activities of the National Office and the Executive Board.
  
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