AWIS
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ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE

Washington Wire

 

March 2012
Issue I

Greetings!

  
AWIS is an official partner of the USA Science and Engineering Festival that will take place April 28-29, 2012 in Washington, DC.  The Festival's mission is to re-invigorate the interest of our nation's youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 

Volunteers from the DC, Baltimore, and Bethesda, Maryland AWIS chapters will staff a booth in the Exhibit Hall with a hands-on experiment for youth.  To volunteer, please contact the Bethesda chapter President Michelle Arnold at [email protected].

 

AWIS members will also present "Meet the Scientists/Engineers - What it Takes to be a Woman Scientist" where high-school students are encouraged to conduct in-person interviews with scientists and engineers from different disciplines.  It's a fantastic opportunity to introduce students to diverse representations of a scientist. 

We're excited about encouraging youth to study STEM and grateful for chapter leaders who are willing to support this effort.
  
Best regards,
  
Janet
____________
Janet Bandows Koster
AWIS Executive Director 
In This Issue
Careers
Education
Health
Science and Technology
Work Life Satisfaction
Events
Opportunities
Careers

Special social media focus: are you LinkedIn with AWIS?  

 

Take Control of Social Media to Advance Your Career
The "social" in social media has come to mean personal, unprofessional oversharing to many people, but social media can be a tool to boost your status and career.  Learn how to delve deeper than simply to dipping your toe and take control of your digital footprint.


Find your space 


Online Niche Networking: Using Social Sites to Job Search
Online networking may not be as personal as meeting face-to-face but it can extend your world into new places.  Included in the recommendations for scientists and researchers are ResearchGate, Epernicus, and Tweako.


Thinking outside the LinkedIn box 

Education

 

Power and Privilege on Campus Remains White Man's Domain
What is married, white, male, 61 years old, and has a doctorate in education?  The typical college leader according to the American Council on Education's latest survey, "The American College President 2012."  Women saw a slight increase, but unfortunately there was a reduction in the percentage of minority presidents. 


Minority Students Still Receive Different Educational Experience
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights released the results of a national survey of more than 72,000 schools that showed that minority students face harsher discipline, have less access to rigorous high school curricula, and are more often taught by lower-paid and less experienced teachers. 

Health

 

Ovarian Stem Cells Might be Capable of Making Eggs
Researchers found that young women's ovaries contain stem cells that can produce eggs, challenging the idea that women are born with all of the eggs they will ever have. The finding, published in the journal Nature Medicine, could lead to additional fertility treatments.


Dressing Down When Feeling Low
A study by British scientists revealed that women dress differently depending on their mood, and they are more likely to wear jeans when they are depressed.  The research suggested that women can alter their mood by changing their clothes, so when spirits are low skip the sweatpants and dig out that outfit that makes you feel powerful and confident.
Science and Technology
 
Women Obtain More Patents and Trademarks
In the report "Intellectual Property and Women Entrepreneurs," the National Women's Business Council reports that women held 18% of all patents granted in 2010-up 4% from a decade earlier.  At this rate, it could take until 2090 for women to receive 50% of patents.  Top categories for women-owned patents included chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and the biological sciences. 

 
Innovation Can Make You a Worse Person, Scientists Say
Creative people are less likely to be honest, and dishonesty makes people more creative, researchers say. Creative types find it easier to rationalize bad behavior, studies show, while having to make up excuses can make people more creative in other ways. "Creativity initially pushes you across the line and then dishonesty heightens creativity," explains Harvard Business School's Francesca Gino. "It's a downward spiral."

Work Life Satisfaction

5 Signs Someone is Playing Power Games With You
Former engineer Mary Foley's warning signs someone is playing power games with you include keeping you waiting, repeatedly rejecting your ideas, and physically touching you.  Learn what cues to look for to spot game players.

 
Does Wearing a Lab Coat Make You Smarter?
Researchers have discovered people perform better on a mental exercise if they are given white jackets they believe to be lab coats. But the results don't necessarily suggest you can make everyone in your office work harder if you make them wear suits. "[F]or some people, wearing suits makes them feel like a phony, as Holden Caulfield would say," researcher Adam Galinsky said. "So it's really about what the symbolic meaning of the clothes is to the person."

 
4 Steps to Make Employees Miserable
People want to feel useful, but as a boss you may be guilty of keeping your employees from making progress in meaningful work.  Read these 4 pointers on how to destroy an employee's work life and then do the opposite.

AWIS News and Events
AWIS STEMiNARs

AIA - Its Impact on Research and Commercialization
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Building Your Research Team
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 from 3:00pm - 4:00 PM EST

Careers Outside Academia "From the Bench to Events: Experiments through Life"
Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 11:00am - 12:00 PM EST

STEMiNARs� are online educational opportunities designed with your interest and comfort in mind. Using a webinar platform, AWIS hosts STEMiNARs� where members can hear live presentations and interact with the presenters from the comfort of their computer or mobile devices. Can't participate at the designated time? No problem. The STEMiNARs� are recorded and posted online.

Other Events

AWIS Chicago Chapter
Event: Project Exploration's Women In Science Training
Date: March 16
Time: 11:30am - 3:00pm
Learn More

AWIS Northwestern Ohio Chapter
Event":Implicit Bias: What it is and How it Affects You
Date: March 16
Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Learn More

AWIS San Diego Chapter
Event:Annual Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair
Date: March 21
Time: 11:30am - 2:00pm
Learn More

AWIS and SWE Joint Webinar
Event: Delivering High Potential Performance
Date: March 21
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Register Now

AWIS Boston Chapter
Event: Speed Networking
Date: March 21
Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Learn More

AWIS Seattle Chapter
Event: Panel Discussion: Work-Life Balance
Date: March 21
Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Learn More

AWIS Chicago Chapter
Event: CPS Annual Science Fair
Date: March 23
Time: 8:00am - 12:00pm
Learn More

AWIS Bethesda Chapter
Event: Marina Picciotto, PhD to Speak
Date: March 27
Time: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Learn More

AWIS and SWE Joint Webinar
Event:Invisibility Only Works for Superheroes! Helping Others to Notice and Value Your Contributions
Date: March 28
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Register Now

AWIS Northern California Chapters
Event: AWIS at Forty: Connecting the Past - Inspiring the Future
Date: March 28
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Learn More

Opportunities

"Cracking Your Genetic Code" Screening

Ever wondered how much can your genes tell you about you, your future, and your children? Attend a preview screening of "Cracking Your Genetic Code" hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science on Monday, March 19, 2012. The screening will begin at 4 pm and be followed by a panel discussion and reception. The screening will take place at the AAAS Auditorium, 2nd floor on 1200 New York Ave., NW in Washington, D.C.  
 

The BBRG Affiliated Visiting Scholars Program is designed to accommodate scholars who would like to spend a relatively short period of time in residence, ranging from one month to six months. The BBRG Affiliated Visiting Scholars Program is open to senior and junior faculty (tenured and untenured), visiting scholars, postdoctoral scholars and independent scholars, from the U.S. and abroad, whose work is centrally on women and gender. Applicants must have the Ph.D. in hand one year prior to the beginning of the appointment. The BBRG accepts applications for the BBRG Affiliated Visiting Scholars Program throughout the academic year.

 

Marie Curie Fellowship 

Have you ever wanted to do research in Europe? Apply for a Marie Curie Fellowship. The goal of the Marie Curie Fellowship is to strengthen the human potential in research and technology by stimulating people to enter into the profession of research and attracting researchers from the entire world to Europe. This Fellowship addresses researchers at all stages of their careers, in the public and private sectors, from initial research training, specifically intended for young people, to life long learning and career development. Proposals are welcomed from all areas of scientific and technological research and the fellowship covers your salary plus your research expenses. To apply, you must have either a doctoral degree or at least 4 years' full-time equivalent research experience, after obtaining a degree permitting you to embark on a doctorate.  

   

Small Business Postdoctoral Research Diversity Fellowship
The Small Business Postdoctoral Research Diversity Fellowship program aims to encourage creative and highly-trained recipients of doctoral degrees in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematical disciplines to engage in hands-on research projects in their areas of expertise at the kind of small innovative businesses that historically have fueled the nation's economic regime. This fellowship program offers small businesses the opportunity to attract top scientific and technological talent at a fraction of the usual cost, while recruiting postdoctoral fellows to work for at least a year outside an academic setting on cutting-edge research aimed at promoting scientific excellence and strengthening our nation's technological prowess. Each research fellow will receive a stipend of at least $75,000 plus health insurance benefits.   

 

2012 Undergraduate Research & Study Abroad Program in Panama

CATHALAC and University of Alabama is offering an eight-week research & study abroad program in Panama focused on climate change and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants will receive professional training, hands-on learning, and experience how climate change influences sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study will take place between June 3-July 28, 2012. The application deadline is March 26, 2012.

 

Undergraduate Opportunity at Summer Research Labs

The BCMB Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville will offer a summer program for undergraduates interested in research. The aim of this Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is to provide hands-on research opportunities for students majoring in the sciences, with an introduction to cutting-edge research in the broad area of "Sensing and Signaling". This opportunity is available to Sophomore and Junior undergraduate science majors, with preference for Juniors. Each Fellowship will include a $5,000 stipend as well as an allowance for cost of living, travel, and research supplies. The application deadline is March 30, 2012.

  

Early Career Faculty NASA Space Tech Research Opportunities
NASA is seeking proposals from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of outstanding early career faculty beginning their independent careers. This inaugural Space Technology Research Opportunities for Early Career Faculty solicitation seeks to sponsor research in specific, high priority technology areas of interest to NASA. The research will investigate unique, disruptive or transformational space technologies or concepts.NASA expects to award approximately ten grants this fall, funded up to $200,000 each per year, based on the merit of proposals received. Notices of intent to submit proposals are due March 30, 2012.   

National Medal of Science 

The National Medal of Science is the Nation's highest honor for American scientists and engineers. It is awarded to individuals deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding cumulative contributions to knowledge in the chemical, physical, biological, mathematical, engineering, or behavioral or social sciences, in combination with exemplary service to the Nation. Nominations are due on March 31, 2012.

 

National Medal of Technology and Innovation 

The USPTO is seeking nominations for the 2012 Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI), the nation's highest honor for technological achievement, bestowed by the President of the United States on America's leading innovators. All completed nominations must be submitted to the USPTO by 5:00 p.m. (ET), March 31, 2012.

 

The Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (MPN) Research Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking innovative approaches to reversing fibrosis in patients with myelofibrosis (MF). Applicants for this concept grant program (titled the MF Challenge) may request funding in the amount of up to $100,000 per grant. The grant review will take place in June 2012 in Chicago. The goal of The MF Challenge is to discover the factor(s) that induce(s) fibrosis in bone marrow, and to identify opportunities to arrest and reverse this fibrosis. Proposals are due by April 1, 2012.


Department of Energy (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office Fellowship Programs
The Department of Energy (DOE) CBFO Program provides the opportunity to conduct mission-oriented research in DOE's CBFO in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The CBFO Fellow will study needs for automated access control and secured wireless computing for use in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) repository.The Fellow will become familiar with Homeland Security Presidential Directive12, Public Key Infrastructure and secured wireless local area networking. The Fellow will also become familiar with key recommendations regarding the integration and deployment of information technology systems for optimized use  and cost saving applications  without sacrificing performance or security.The deadline to apply is April 8, 2012.
  

 

DOE 2012 Enrico Fermi Award
The Department of Energy invites nominations for the Enrico Fermi Award. This is a Presidential award and recognizes outstanding contributions and achievements that are particularly distinguished and demonstrate scientific, technical, management or policy leadership that are related to all basic and applied research, science and technology supported by the DOE and its programs. The Award consists of a citation signed by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Energy, a gold medal, and a $50,000 honorarium. A diverse pool of candidates is encouraged. Nominations for the 2012 Fermi Award must be submitted by April 16, 2012. 


DOE 2012 Ernest Orlando Lawrence Awards
The Department of Energy invites nominations for the 2012 Ernest Orlando Lawrence Awards. The Award is awarded to mid-career scientists and engineers in recognition of exceptional scientific, technical, and/or engineering achievements related to the broad missions of the U.S. DOE and its programs. The Award consists of a citation signed by the Secretary of Energy, a gold medal, and a $20,000 honorarium. An award is given in each of the following eight categories: Atomic, Molecular, and Chemical Sciences, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computer, Information, and Knowledge Sciences, Condensed Matter and Materials Sciences, Energy Science and Innovation, Fusion and Plasma Sciences, High Energy and Nuclear Physics, and National Security and Nonproliferation. A diverse pool of candidates is encouraged. Nominations for 2012 Lawrence Awards must be submitted by April 16, 2012. 

  

Aldo Leopold Leadership Program for Environmental Scientists 

The Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University invites midcareer academic environmental scientists are invited to apply to the 2013 Leopold Leadership Fellowships. Leopold Leadership Fellows receive leadership training that is useful and relevant wherever Fellows choose to work. The program offers two intensive training sessions a year apart to help Fellows gain the skills, approaches, and theoretical frameworks for translating their knowledge to action and for catalyzing change to address the world's most pressing environmental and sustainability challenges. The deadline to apply is April 16, 2012.


Research Opportunities for Recent Ph.D. Graduates
The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Postdoctoral Research Awards support EERE's mission in energy efficiency and renewable energy by offering recent Ph.D. recipients the opportunity to conduct applied research at universities, national laboratories, and other research facilities. The award will provide an annual stipend, allowances for health insurance and research-related expenses, and limited reimbursement for relocation expenses. An Annual Research Meeting for participants will be organized and hosted by EERE. The application deadline is May 1, 2012.

WESH Spring Executive Leadership Summit
WESH, Women Executives in Science and Healthcare (formerly known as SELAM, The Society for Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine) is hosting a Spring Executive Leadership Summit, "Renew and Redirect: A Workshop for Senior Leaders" at the Loews Hotel, Philadelphia, PA, May 4-6, 2012. For more information email [email protected].

2012 BBVA Foundation of Frontiers of Knowledge Awards
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards seek to recognize and encourage world-class research and artistic creation, prizing contributions of lasting impact for their originality, theoretical significance and ability to push back the frontiers of the known world. These international awards span eight categories including Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), Biomedicine, Ecology and Conservation Biology, Climate Change and more. The award includes a € 400.000 prize. The closing date for submissions is June 30, 2012.   


Travel Award Program for Early Career Investigators
Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology will offer a limited number of travel awards to early career investigators at the Assistant Professor or equivalent industry scientist level. The travel awards are to attend Keystone Symposia meetings. The purpose of these travel awards is specifically for early career investigators at the Assistant Professor or industry scientist equivalent level. At times researchers find that attending a Keystone Symposia meeting might substantially further a current research project or assist in problem solving around a particular experimental issue. These travel awards are specifically designed to address this situation. The emphasis is on URM scientists who are pursuing research careers.The application process opened March 1, 2012 for all of meetings between now and Feb 28, 2013. However, the awards will be made upon review, on a first come basis.


 

 

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Jeannette Brown 

Jeannette Brown

 

Ms. Brown is the author of African American Women Chemists.


Read more about Jeannette.

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