Washington Wire
Edited by Trudy L. Jackson Bosilovic, MS
|
|
 |
Greetings!,
Fall is a busy season for AWIS members and the AWIS list of events, found at the bottom of this e-newsletter, is longer than normal. For the last two weeks in September alone, we have two AWIS webinars and eight chapter events taking place across the country. I encourage you to take a look at what's being offered and sign up if you can.
Joining AWIS and getting information from us is the first step, the next one is to meet and network with other professional women in STEM. Having a network of your peers to connect with is invaluable. So reach out, attend events and participate.
Can't participate in an event? Learn more about other ways you can get involved with AWIS by clicking here.
Make the time to get involved, you won't regret it.
Best Regards,
Janet Bandows Koster
Executive Director & CEO
|
 Careers |
|
Contributed by Meghan Mott, PhD
5 Tips for Making First Impressions
First impressions can make the difference between getting hired and getting overlooked for a job opportunity. Research shows that two traits, trustworthiness and confidence, account for 80-90% of first impressions. Ensure that your first impression is a positive one by managing your image. Analyze your attire, evaluate your verbal and non-verbal communication, examine your attitude, and don't forget about grooming!
Image management
12 Traits of Successful Women
What can you do differently to elevate yourself in the workplace? Successful women share several common characteristics. Be passionate about your work, don't waste time trying to be perfect, and don't be afraid to take risks. Understand that failure goes hand-in-hand with success and learn to let go of unrealistic goals. Take care of yourself physically, schedule regular alone time, and build a support network.
Make it happen
Hiring Geography of Nonacademic STEM PhDs
If you aspire for a career outside academia, be aware that the non-academic STEM market can be just as geographically restricted. Depending on your specialty, network hubs are clustered across the country. Looking for a life scientist position? Chances are you'll end up in Maryland. You're a chemical engineer? New Jersey may be your new home. Explore the interactive map and plan accordingly.
Location, location, location
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Contributed by Rachel Britt, PhD
Science Lags on Graduate Pay
Science graduates are making less than their STEM peers according to a report from the US. While technical qualifications are valued, not all are valued equally. Data shows employers are paying more for degrees in technology, engineering, and mathematics than science.
Taking the S out of STEM
Transformative Education
Vice President of News Corp and former New York City public schools Chancellor, Joel Klein, believes that the education system in the US is "ripe for disruptions." He has some interesting ideas on how to transform the system and raise the U.S.'s global ranking in education. One idea, a tablet for every student and teacher, is poised to help our children learn to work collaboratively and smarter?
Tablets for all
|
|
|
|
______________
AWIS Fall Webinar Series
Space is Limited - Register Today to Guarantee Your Spot
_____________________
|
RTP, NC
Coral Gables, FL
_________________
|
|
Volunteer Spotlight
Parinaz Massoumzadeh, PhD
Parinaz is a Staff Scientist in the School of Medicine of Washington University in St. Louis and serves on the Chapters Committee for AWIS.
|
|
|
|
 Science and Technology |
|
Contributed by Demetra Farley, PhD
LEGO's First Female Scientist Doll
LEGO's pledge to "deliver meaningful play experiences to girls worldwide" is off to a truly impressive start. LEGO has announced the creation and sale of "Professor C. Bodin," a female scientist armed with lab coat, colorful reagents, and beakers, as part of their new mini-figure series. The academic heroine is intended to spark young girls' interests in the sciences.
'Scientific' toys for tots
2013 Lasker Award Winners Announced
The Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation award, affectionately known as the "American Nobel", has been granted to three scientists responsible for the development of the cochlear implant. Dr. Ingeborg Hochmair, Dr. Graeme Clark, and Dr. Blake Wilson will all be honored for their tireless efforts toward the creation of the hearing device. 83 recipients of the esteemed endowment have gone on to become Nobel laureates.
And the award goes to...
Origins of Syria's Sarin Gas
It is highly likely that a chemical weapon was used against civilians in Syria's East Damascus region, but the source of the dangerous military artillery remains unknown. Scientist Michael Kuhlman from the Battelle Memorial Institute believes that traces of the packaging material used to deliver the lethal compound may provide clues to the sarin's origin.
Rockets may tell the tale
|
|
|
|
 Work-Life Satisfaction |
| |
Contributed by Catherine Moorwood, PhD
Staying at Home Still Mostly for Moms
The number of stay-at-home Dads has doubled over the past decade, which might suggest a new social trend for men to be equals in parenting. However, census data shows that Dads still only stay home in less than one percent of married couples with children, while Moms stay home far more frequently.
Staying put
Where Do Scientists Work the Hardest?
A recent study compared working habits among conservational biologists in countries across the world, by measuring the proportion of manuscripts uploaded to a journal outside of regular hours. Scientists in Asian countries sacrificed personal time the most, while continental Europeans seemed to have the most balanced lives.
World of work
Gadgets That Help You Sleep When Traveling
Whether it's in planes, airports or hotel rooms, sleep can be hard to come by when you're not in your own bed. These unusual devices might help you doze off so you'll be awake and ready for that big presentation.
Sweet dreams
|
|
|
|
 Health |
| |
Contributed by Lara Kallal, PhD
Gut Bacteria May Influence Obesity
A recent study in Science found a link between gut bacteria and human obesity. Feces from thin and obese identical twins were transferred into mice. Interestingly, bacteria from the thin twin took over the gut of mice already given bacteria from the obese twin, suggesting that bacterial changes can be made to promote a lean state.
Bacteria rule
7 Disorders that Affect Women More
Aside from the clear physiological differences between men and women that make conditions such as breast cancer mostly a female disease, other health conditions disproportionately affect women. One such disorder is depression, which is twice as common in women. Although the reasons are unknown, researchers point to the higher level of hormonal changes experienced by women.
6 more
Unreliable Body Mass Index
Body mass index (BMI) has been used to determine health status by assessing an individual's height and weight. However, it is clear that other factors contribute to overall health. For example, muscle weighs more than fat; thus, a very strong person's BMI could be higher than a weaker person's BMI, but this does not mean that the stronger person is less healthy.
BMI myth
|
|
|
|
 Events |
| |
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 15
AWIS Greater Cincinnati Chapter
SEPTEMBER 16
AWIS Massachusetts Chapter
SEPTEMBER 17
AWIS Webinar for Institutional Partners
AWIS Philadelphia Chapter
SEPTEMBER 19
AWIS West Texas Chapter
SEPTEMBER 21
Fall Picnic
SEPTEMBER 26
SEPTEMBER 30
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 7
AWIS San Diego Chapter
AWIS Central New Jersey Chapter
OCTOBER 15
OCTOBER 24
AWIS will be presenting several sessions
OCTOBER 25
AWIS Cincinnati Chapter
AWIS Webinar - FREE for Members
|
|
|
|
 Opportunities |
| |
2014 Alan T. Waterman Award
This is the highest honor bestowed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and has recognized outstanding young researchers (within 7 years of receiving the PhD or younger than 36) since 1976. And you can't win if you don't get yourself nominated. Nominations deadline is October 25, 2013.
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.
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. Each research fellow will receive a stipend of at least $75,000 plus health insurance benefits.
NSF's Career-Life Balance (CLB) Initiative
Scientists now have the opportunity to submit supplemental funding requests to support additional personnel (e.g., research technicians or equivalent). This will help sustain research when the Principal Investigator is on family leave. In FY 2012, up to 3 months of salary support may be requested (for a maximum of $12,000 in salary compensation) by CAREER awardees.
AWIS Chapter Mini-Grants
AWIS Chapter Mini-Grants are available to support chapter initiatives focused on membership recruitment and retention. Applications following the guidelines are considered on a quarterly basis with the next due September 30, 2013.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
