Message to Members: Policy at the Forefront
Voice Your Opinion: S&T Issues
AAAS in Action: News to Note
AAAS at Work:
Programs at the Forefront
AAAS Announcements: Items of Interest
Read On, Online: Science Sites


This month's Advances is sponsored by GrantsNet Express.
AAAS members can sign up to receive weekly listings of current international science funding opportunities from private foundations and organizations and U.S. government grant announcements. A new member benefit, GrantsNet Express lists opportunities for postdocs/graduate students and undergraduates. To have GrantsNet Express delivered to your computer, go to http://www2.sciencecareers.org/promos/grantsubmit.asp .
Message to Members
POLICY AT THE FOREFRONT

Dear AAAS Member,

You are invited to add your voice to the discussion and debate about the critical U.S. R&D budget and other policy issues facing our scientific community.

On Thursday and Friday, 21-22 April, the 30 th Annual AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy will be held in Washington , D.C. Wide-ranging topics include the U.S. S&T budget for 2006, the role of R&D in the global economy, funding stem cell research, the future of scientific communication and publishing, and science and global health disasters. Speakers include John H. Marburger, III, Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Representative Rush D. Holt (D-NJ).

Since the first conference in 1976, the forum has grown into the premier public meeting in the U.S. on science and technology policy issues, drawing 500 of the top U.S. experts. For details on the program, go to http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/forumpub05.htm . To register, go to http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/forum.htm . I look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS
P.S. Be sure to read our Historic Milestone of the Month articles below on electricity from 1884 and 1886.


Voice Your Opinion

What is the most important S&T policy issue facing science today?
Click here to vote.
See last month's poll comments: http://promo.aaas.org/kn_marketing/poll0305.shtml .


AAAS in Action
NEWS TO NOTE

Reconstructing the Iraq Power Grid
AAAS Diplomacy Fellow Krista Donaldson is applying her expertise in mechanical engineering to alleviate the shortage of electric power in Iraq . Now on a second assignment with the U.S. State Department's Iraq Reconstruction Management Office, Ms. Donaldson reports on her collaboration with Iraqi scientists and engineers in the effort to increase electric capability to meet rising demand. Read about her work and an in-depth interview: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/0322donaldson.shtml . Find out more about AAAS S&T Fellowships in the executive branch and Congress: http://www.fellowships.aaas.org .

Speaking Out on Science Film Suppression
In response to recent news reports that some U.S. science centers and museums have declined to show films that accept the science of evolution, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner expressed strong concerns. His 28 March letter to 410 members of the Association of Science-Technology Centers warned of this threat to the integrity of science and public education and offered AAAS assistance to museum leaders facing evolution-related conflicts. Read the letter: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/0329imax.shtml .

Exploring Science, Ethics, and Religion
From 17-19 April, on the MIT campus in Boston , Massachusetts , Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) is holding a public conference. “Our Brains and Us: Neuroethics, Responsibility, and the Self” engages scientists, philosophers, religious communities, and the public in a multifaceted dialogue that includes seminars, roundtable discussions, and an evening session open to the public. For program details and to register, go to http://www.aaas.org/spp/dser/neuroscience/index.shtml .

Joining Forces for U.S. Election Reform
Shirley Malcom, head of Education and Human Resources at AAAS, will join an elite bipartisan panel convened by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James A. Baker III. The Commission on Federal Election Reform will explore the integrity of recent U.S. presidential and congressional elections and deliver recommendations in September. Read about the commission and the 2004 AAAS initiative on election reform: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/0331malcom.shtml .

Honoring the Deputy News Editor of Science
“Polio: The Final Assault,” reported by Leslie Roberts, has won the 2005 Public Communications Award from the American Society for Microbiology. Ms. Roberts's comprehensive global account of a 16-year, multibillion dollar program of research, tracking, and immunization aimed at eradicating the disease was cited as “first rate reporting…meticulously researched and beautifully told.” Read more: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/0321roberts.shtml .


AAAS at Work
PROGRAMS AT THE FOREFRONT

Advancing Careers in Science
From scientific training to postdoctoral positions and throughout science and technology careers, AAAS is the premier resource for career-enhancing information and events.

www.sciencecareers.org includes job alerts, job search, resume postings, employer profiles and links, salary calculators, a career forum, and meetings and announcements.

www.grantsnet.org is a one-stop resource for locating private funds and government grants for training in the sciences and undergraduate science education. Sign up for GrantsNet Express, a weekly listing of funding opportunities.

www.nextwave.org is a weekly online career development magazine for early career scientists. The site includes specific focus portals including the Minority Scientists Network, Postdoc Network, and Career Development Center . Country home pages for the U.S. , Canada , the U.K. , Germany , and the Netherlands offer weekly news and views from the region.

www.miscinet.org , the Minority Scientists Network, is a virtual network for underrepresented students pursuing careers in the sciences, faculty, mentors, and administrators. The weekly publication includes upcoming events, internships, funding, and answers to specific questions. 


AAAS Announcements
ITEMS OF INTEREST

Historic Milestone of the Month: Electricity
As part of the 2005 celebration of the 125 th anniversary of Science, last December's Voice Your Opinion Poll asked AAAS members to name the leading scientific breakthrough since 1880. Their top choices have been selected for a monthly free-access reprint from the archives of the journal Science , courtesy of JSTOR.org. Read “What is Electricity” from September 1884 ( http://promo.aaas.org/kn_marketing/electricity1.pdf ) and “The Age of Electricity” from October of 1886 ( http://promo.aaas.org/kn_marketing/electricity2.pdf ).

AAAS Fellows: Call for Nominations
Current AAAS members who are Fellows are invited to nominate other AAAS members for election as Fellows, defined as those “whose efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished.” Nominations with complete documentation must be received by 13 May. To download nomination forms or to request a hard copy, go to http://www.aaas.org/news/newsandnotes/inside116.shtml .

Member Discount: Barnes & Noble Online
From April 15 to May 1, 2005, AAAS Members will save $5 off their next purchase of $50 or more at the AAAS/B&N.com Bookstore. In addition, all AAAS Members always receive an EXTRA 5% off their entire purchases plus US Members receive free shipping. Simply type in coupon code SAVEFIVE during checkout. Go to http://www.bn.com/aaas to start saving!

International Careers Focus: U.K. and Ireland
The 15 April issue of Science features a career focus for scientists seeking their first independent research position, written by Science 's Next Wave editors. The report covers recent policy changes in the U.K. and Ireland and gives an insider's view from successful early-career researchers. For additional career advice and international job listings, go to http://www.sciencecareers.org and http://www.nextwave.org .

Chat with Nanotechnology Experts
Join us for a free, online chat hosted on EurekAlert, AAAS's science news service. The chat will take place on Tuesday, 19 April from 11a.m. to 12 noon EST. Featured experts will include Dr. Jillian Buriak, University of Alberta; Dr. Ray Baughman, University of Texas at Dallas; and Dr. Phillip Szuromi, Science (moderator). Visit http://www.eurekalert.org/nanotalk for details.

Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge: Call for Entries
The deadline is 31 May for international entries in the 2005 annual competition, sponsored by AAAS and the National Science Foundation. Awards for outstanding examples of the use of visual media to promote understanding of research results and scientific phenomena will be given in five categories: photography, illustration, informational graphics, interactive media, and noninteractive media. For full details, go to http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/events/sevc/enter.htm

125 Years of Science : Celebrate in the U.K.
On Thursday 14 July, you are invited to join the 125 th anniversary celebration of the journal Science . Come toast the past and the future at a cocktail reception, 7 to 11 p.m. , Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road , London . For specifics, e-mail 125 th @science-int.co.uk .


Meet Up at Upcoming Events
Stop by the AAAS booth to pick up your member pin.

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting , 16-20 April, Anaheim , California , U.S.A. Information: http://www.aacr.org/page2353.aspx

HUGO's 10 th Human Genome Meeting , 18-21 April, Kyoto, Japan. Information: http://hgm2005.hgu.mrc.ac.uk/ .

European Geosciences Union General Assembly , 24-29 April, Vienna , Austria . Information: http://www.copernicus.org/EGU/ga/egu05/ .

European Society of Human Genetics Conference , 7-11 May, Prague , Czech Republic . Information: http://www.eshg.org/eshg2005/index.html .

PharmaDiscovery Conference , 10-12 May, Washington , D.C. , U.S.A. Information: http://www.pharmadiscovery2005.com/App/homepage.cfm?moduleid=42&appname=100304 .

BioIT World Conference and Expo , 17-19 May, Boston , Massachusetts , U.S.A. Information: http://www.bio-itworldexpo.com/live/26/ .


READ ON, ONLINE
AAAS News & Notes appears in Science in the last issue of each month. Or access http://www.aaas.org/ or http://www.scienceonline.org/ .