Washington Wire
Edited by Rachel Britt, PhD
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This past winter, AWIS had the opportunity to host a new AWIS intern, Cleo van der Veen, a second year student at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
For 10 weeks, Cleo assisted with writing and editing AWIS publications including the AWIS Magazine and AWIS in Action! public policy newsletter. She also worked on updating data for the AWIS factsheets. Under the guidance of fellow staff member Dr. Erin Cadwalader, Phoebe S. Leboy Public Policy Fellow (2012-2014), Cleo was able to attend policy and briefing events on Capitol Hill, meet women in STEM, and interact face-to-face with lawmakers and lobbyists. It was an exciting time for the AWIS office, and an eye-opening experience for Cleo as well.
AWIS is able to provide opportunities like this to students because of the AWIS Intern Fund. Donations and support from our members to this fund go directly towards the $3,000 stipend awarded to each student selected to be an AWIS intern for a 10-week term. Each generous gift allows more enthusiastic and passionate young women to join AWIS in the pursuit of improving the status of women in STEM across the nation.
The AWIS Intern summer term is almost here, and this year, our goal is to raise $10,000 so that we can support more young women not only through the summer months, but also involve student interns throughout the academic year.
You can contribute anytime online via credit card, or by mailing a check for your contribution to AWIS Intern Fund (1321 Duke Street, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314). Consider making a contribution today by clicking here!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact AWIS by phone at (703) 894-4490 or by email to awis@awis.org. Thank you for your continued support!
Best Regards,
Janet Bandows Koster
Executive Director & CEO
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 Careers |
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Contributed by Ramya Natarajan, PhD
What's Really Holding Women Back?
An article in this month's The Atlantic says that women are less confident than men, even when they are equally competent. The authors cite studies that suggest that this lack of confidence is devastating to women because it keeps them from getting ahead in the workplace. Their analyses indicate that the "confidence gap" between men and women can be attributed to several factors ranging from the environment to differences in male and female brain development. Read on to see what they urge women to do to overcome it.
Self-doubt
Teaching Scientific Leadership
PIs are hired for their scientific talent and research skills, but their success also hinges on their ability to lead and manage others under their charge. Since lab management is not part of any grad school or postdoc curriculum, very few PIs are well versed in this valuable skill. If you're a scientist who possesses good communication and interpersonal skills, your next job could be teaching PIs how to be a good boss.
Lab management 101
8 Tips to Become an Outstanding Leader
Although individual strengths and abilities vary from person to person, career experts agree that outstanding leaders share some common qualities: they nurture, motivate and inspire their employees because they're genuinely concerned about their employees' personal growth and success. In addition, when employees look to them for guidance, they act swiftly, decisively and confidently. Boost your leadership skills by following the simple steps outlined in this article.
Go from good to great
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Contributed by Rachel Britt, PhD
Nation's Capital Hosts STEM Festival
According to Larry Bock, one of the co-founders of the Washington D.C. Science and Engineering Festival, societies get what they celebrate and "we don't celebrate scientists and engineers." The Festival, which took place on April 26th and 27th this year, was meant to change that mentality by celebrating the STEM fields in a way that provides young people with a lot of hands-on engagement. Some 200 colleges and universities, many companies, multiple federal agencies, and 375 professional STEM societies exhibited their wares in engaging ways for the Festival's more than 325,000 visitors.
Capital STEM
Codifying Computer Science Standards
A recent panel on boosting computer science education paints a dire picture of computer science literacy in the United States. Experts argue that it's not enough for students to know how to use technology, they should also know how to create it. In support of this goal, computer science experts and educators propose that computer science literacy should be an educational requirement in high school.
Coding competency
STEM-Powered Education
Virtual laboratories, in-class mobile devices, and even good, old-fashioned television may play an increasing role in STEM education. Remote participation in experiments may help to improve access and convenience of experimentation. Some STEM education-specific tablets are being manufactured with lessons to help instructors, and have connectivity that makes group participation easier. While television isn't a new technology, the improved quality and quantity of STEM programming may make classroom incorporation of STEM learning programs more common.
Techie teaching
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 Science and Technology |
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Contributed by Shabnum Patel
Prosthetics Help Female Amputee Dance
Professor Hugh Herr from MIT, a double amputee, developed a bionic ankle using microprocessors and environmental sensors. His device is adjustable for power, position, and stiffness, making it suitable for different patients. Professional dancer Adrianne Haslet-Davis who lost part of her leg during the Boston Marathon bombing last year is now able to dance again, thanks to this impressive life-like prosthetic created by Dr. Herr.
Boston strong
Wireless Phone Charging...Coming Soon
The need for carrying cell phone chargers and sitting close to wall outlets in coffee shops is coming to an end now that scientists at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed inductive wireless charging. This innovative technology will allow devices to charge up to 15 feet away from a charging station. If successful, users will use a "WiFi for power" system, where they are simply required to enter a WiFi password to initiate cell phone charging.
No cord? No problem!
Self-Cleaning Car Developed with Nanotechnology
Nissan is developing a "self-cleaning" car using nanotech paint. This superhydrophobic paint repels water and oil, preventing any grime from sticking to and leaving marks on cars. Nissan worked with UltraTech International, an environmental compliance company, to create the paint which has the potential to be applied to other things such as shoes and tools.
Nanotech News
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Member Profile
Member Type:
Member Expiration:
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2014 AWIS Winter & Spring Webinars
May 5, 2014
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
May 13, 2014
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
May 28, 2014
11:30 - 12:30 p.m. (EDT)
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New York, NY
Silver Spring, MD Click here to visit
our Career Center!
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Member Spotlight
Vicki Hurless
Graduate Student
San Diego State University
AWIS Member since 2011
Victoria Hurless graduated from the University of Washington (UW) in 2005 with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. She is now a graduate student in the Cell and Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego.
Vicki is interested in the evolution of development, specifically the evolution of gene regulatory networks in ascidian (Ciona intestinalis) peripheral nervous system development.
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Use Your 30% AWIS Member Discount &
Order Your Copy Today!
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1321 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
awis@awis.org
(703) 894-4490
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 Work-Life Satisfaction |
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Contributed by Becky Mercer, PhD
European Governments Regulate Work-Life Balance
Think your work-life balance is your private business? What if the government got involved? That's exactly what is happening in Europe. New laws regulate work hours for employees in France in an effort to encourage workers to disconnect from the office. The new regulations forbid employees from responding to emails after work hours, and block the existence of worker shifts from 9pm to 6am (unless socially necessary), creating financial penalties for Apple. In Sweden, government officials are attempting to reduce worker inefficiency and create more jobs by trying out 30-hour work weeks.
Laws for life
Work-Life Balance: Is It Sustainable?
In a recent article on corporate sustainability for financial services provider Credit Suisse, Fränzi Thürer summarized the important issues raised at the 14th Swiss Lifefair Forum. Panelists discussed a range of work-life topics including how technology can increase work-related stress at home; how keeping workers happy can boost company profits; and how the increased demands of skilled workers can be addressed by both government and private industries. One important feature of the event: in contrast to many scientific conferences, organizers of the Lifefair Forum provided childcare for attendees.
Conference call
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 Health |
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Contributed by Jaime Smith, PhD
Alternative to Pap Test Approved by FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first alternative to the Pap test for screening for cervical cancer. While the long-used Pap test uses a microscope to examine cellular abnormalities from a cervical sample, the new method, developed by Roche, detects DNA from the human papilloma virus. The test doesn't come without controversy-some women's groups argue that the new screening method has not yet been properly tested.
More pep than pap?
More Women Freezing Their Eggs
Bloomberg Business Week reports that more women are choosing to put off having a baby in the interest of career growth, or to find the right partner. Dr. Jamie Grifo, a pioneer in the procedure that allows women to hit the pause button on their biological clocks, stresses that the technology is not intended to put pressure on women. "The intent is education so that women are empowered to make good decisions about their future."
Egg-cellent adventures
Most Americans Support Birth Control Mandate
A survey conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan shows that 69 percent of Americans support the requirement that health insurance plans pay for birth control. Significantly higher support was seen among women, African American, and Hispanic respondents. The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) considers contraception an essential benefit, much like cancer screenings or vaccines.
Pill thrill
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 Events |
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MAY
MAY 5
AWIS Webinar
AWIS Palo Alto Chapter May 7 AWIS Central Jersey Chapter May 8 AWIS NY Metropolitan May 13 AWIS Webinar
May 28 AWIS Webinar
For more information on upcoming events for 2014, or to register for an event, visit the AWIS Events Calendar online!
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 Opportunities |
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EERE Postdoctoral Research Awards
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. Application Deadline April 30, 2014. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/postdoctoral/
German Chancellor Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Each year, the German Chancellor Fellowship for prospective leaders gives up to 50 highly talented young professionals from Brazil, China, India, Russia and the USA the opportunity to spend a year in Germany and implement a project of their choice in cooperation with German hosts. German Chancellor Fellows come from a wide range of fields such as politics, business, media, public administration, society or culture, and choose a corresponding host organisation for their stay in Germany.
The fellowship is aimed at future decision-makers and thought leaders who hold an academic degree; they are expected to network with other international prospective leaders in Germany and return to their home countries as intermediaries between cultures. The fellowship programme is under the patronage of the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. The deadline for applications is 15 September. http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/publications.html
NextProf 2014 Workshop - University of Michigan, College of Engineering
The NextProf 2014 Future Faculty Workshop is planned for Wednesday, 1 October through Friday, 3 October in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering. We need your help in getting underrepresented minority doctoral students and postdocs from across the country to attend it. We have hosted two very successful NextProf workshops over the past two years. For more details on NextProf 2014 and to nominate someone, please click on http://nextprof.engin.umich.edu/. We are seeking the very best senior doctoral candidates, postdocs and recent graduates meeting the following eligibility criteria:
- Participants should be an underrepresented minority as defined by the National Science Foundation framework for broadening participation: individuals who belong to underrepresented groups, e.g., Alaska Native, Native American, Blacks or African American, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders; and
- Participants should be interested in/thinking about an academic career in engineering and science at an exceptional research or teaching institution.
All travel and lodging expenses will be paid for the selected participants. If you should have any question about the event, please feel free to contact me at alec.gallimore@umich.edu.
Henrietta H. Fore Women in Science Fellowship
The CRDF Global Henrietta H. Fore Women in Science Fellowship will be awarded for the first time in Summer 2014. The first fellow will focus on expanding opportunities for women scientists around the world to collaborate in science and engineering. Specifically, the fellow will conduct research on opportunities and impediments to international collaboration involving women scientists; advise CRDF Global on ways to strengthen existing program opportunities; and/or recommend possible new programs. For more information and to apply: http://www.crdfglobal.org/about-us/careers/fellowships#sthash%2EKJ1cCiTm%2Edpuf
White House OSTP Summer Internship Program
The Office of Science and Technology Policy advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. The office serves as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans and programs of the Federal Government. Interns are accepted for one of three annual terms (Spring, Summer, or Fall), which each last no more than 90 days. While these positions are without compensation, the assignments provide educational enrichment, practical work experience, and network opportunities with other individuals in the science and technology policy arena. For questions, please contact Rebecca Grimm rgrimm@ostp.eop.gov.
Career Exploration Scholarship
In support of our mission, MASS AWIS strives to provide their members the opportunity to receive and explore valuable resources beneficial to their scientific career. After a very successful collaboration with Propel Careers last year, MASS AWIS is excited to continue the Career Exploration Scholarship program for the second year.
Five MASS AWIS members will be awarded an admission to one Propel Careers' 2014 Future in Life Sciences Series event through this Career Exploration Scholarship. For more information, please visit http://mass-awis.org/career-exploration-scholarship-2014/.
BBRG Affiliated Scholars Program
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. (or its equivalent) in hand one year prior to the beginning of the appointment. (Applications accepted throughout the academic year)
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.
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.
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