AAAS Advances  
Advances - The Monthly Newsletter for AAAS Members - February 2009

In this issue:

Message to Members: AAAS S&T Fellows Pursue Strong Role in Science Policy

News to Note: US Economic Stimulus Bill Update, Science Education, Dual-Use Research, Military Technology, Climate Change Policy, STEM Educators, Science Diplomacy

Advancing Science, Serving Society: AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition

Science Careers: Upcoming Events

Announcements: AAAS Awards, 2010 Annual Meeting Symposium Submissions, Leadership Prize Nominations, Atlas of Science Literacy Workshops, and other announcements




This month’s AAAS Advances is sponsored by: L’Oréal

Science/AAAS, in collaboration with the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation, has just published the Young Women in Science booklet. The 2009 booklet offers more exciting and inspirational stories. These profiles, from interviews with young women at the start of their science careers, tell their stories of passion and persistence - what drives and excites them about their work in the sciences. Read more.|


Message to Members

AAAS S&T Fellows Pursue Strong Role in Science Policy

Dear AAAS Member,


"We will restore science to its rightful place," US President Barack Obama vowed in his 20 January inaugural address. A stronger partnership between science and public policy is particularly welcome, as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the AAAS S&T Policy Fellowships program.

Since 1973, 2,146 policy fellows have applied their scientific and engineering expertise to complex issues, working in congressional offices and executive branch agencies. The current class, the largest ever, will continue to provide leadership at the intersection of science and policy, in areas ranging from security and foreign affairs to energy and the environment.

In January, members of Congress, high-ranking government officials, and current and former policy fellows gathered on Capitol Hill to mark the anniversary. One agency official said of the policy fellows, "They are our future." A US Representative called the program "one of the most important in the United States." Another judged the program to be "dramatic and successful," saying it encourages scientists to seek public service. One example of this success is the cadre of 25 scientists now employed by the Environmental Protection Agency who came there initially as AAAS policy fellows.

You’ll find more information about the anniversary event and the AAAS policy fellows program at www.aaas.org/news/releases/2009/0116fellows_35th.shtml.

Thank you for your support of AAAS initiatives, including the S&T Policy Fellowships program, as we work to advance science to serve society and, in the words of President Obama, to "wield technology’s wonders."
Sincerely,


Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS


P.S. As the AAAS Annual Meeting ended on 16 February, and the terms of exceptional new officers began. We welcome incoming AAAS President Peter C. Agre, a Nobel laureate in chemistry; AAAS President-elect Alice S. Huang, a distinguished virologist at the California Institute of Technology; and AAAS Board members Julia M. Phillips of Sandia National Labs and David S. Sabatini of the New York University School of  Medicine. Read more.

News to Note


Reports from the 2009 Annual Meeting

Many of the world’s leading experts on science and technology presented lectures surrounding the theme of  "Our Planet and Its Life: Origins and Futures" during the February meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Read coverage of the lectures, symposia, and seminars on the AAAS 2009 Annual Meeting blog.


US Economic Stimulus Bill Boosts Federal R&D
The economic recovery bill, signed into law by President Barack Obama on 17 February, contains $21.5 billion in federal research and development funding, according to an analysis by AAAS. Funding includes $10.4 billion for the National Institutes of Health and $3 billion for the National Science Foundation. Basic competitiveness-related research, biomedical research, energy R&D, and climate change programs are high priorities. Review the detailed analysis by the AAAS R&D Budget Program.

AAAS Commentary: A Wake-Up Call for Science Education
The United States is once again missing from the list of top-10 science and math education countries, noted AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner in a 12 January commentary in the Boston Globe. A recent study confirms that America lags in preparing tomorrow’s labor force, threatening long-term economic growth. While some states achieve higher rankings, the overall low rankings point to problems in preparing the nation’s future work force in most locations across the country. Read more about possible solutions and access the complete commentary and information about Project 2061, AAAS’s long-term science education initiative.

New AAAS Workshop Report Examines Dual-Use Research
Scientists are seeking guidance on dual-use research to understand the scientific, ethical, and legal issues surrounding beneficial work that may be misapplied for malicious purposes when in the wrong hands. For example, the same methods used for legitimate research on viruses and other organisms also can be used to engineer a bioweapon. These issues were discussed by life scientists, bioethicists, and biosecurity specialists at a workshop late last year. The report, "Professional and Graduate-Level Programs on Dual Use Research and Biosecurity for Scientists Working in the Biological Sciences," is now available. Read more and access the report.

Expert Urges More Nimble Military Technology During AAAS Briefing
US defense expert Paul G. Kaminsky stressed the need for reforms in military technology development, noting that it can take up to 20 years to develop a missile or aircraft at today’s pace. This compares with more crisp acquisition in the past, including the three-year development of ICBMs in the 1960s and the four-year development of the F-117 stealth aircraft in the early 1980s. Read about the keys to rapid deployment of systems, including development planning and enhanced S&T education, presented at the January briefing co-organized by AAAS and the Center for Media and Security.

Capitol Hill Panel Stresses Disciplined Use of Science in Climate Change Policy
A panel of top climate experts briefed US Senate and House staffers to offer scientific perspective on the effects of climate change. The January briefing, co-sponsored by AAAS and four other scientific societies, and moderated by AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner, stressed the serious challenges to critical resources such as drinking water and agriculture and the global expectations for effective new science policy. Read more about the need to transform the world energy structure through existing and future technologies.




Advancing Science, Serving Society


AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Launch
The Coalition, launched in January, is a formal network of scientific societies working together to foster communication and partnerships on human rights among science associations and between the scientific and human rights communities. Rather than duplicating efforts already in progress, the Coalition will enable scientific societies to share what is working and identify additional needs. The projects will range from providing technical expertise to establishing research guidelines. The coalition also will work to ensure that all people around the world can share the benefits of innovation and technology, as required by the little-known human right to the benefit of scientific progress (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights). Read more about the three-day launch and find out how to join the coalition.

The Coalition is an initiative of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Program. Established in 1977, the program’s early activities included leading trained teams of scientists to investigate human rights abuses in Argentina and Brazil. In 2005, the program began to use satellite imagery to monitor and report abuses and has documented destruction and displacement in Ethiopia, Georgia, Sudan, Burma, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere. In 2008, the "On-Call" Scientists initiative was launched, enabling individual scientists and engineers to volunteer their skills to human rights organizations. Read more about the program.


Science Careers


AAAS’s online career job and advice site, Science Science Careers has a new look and new features that make it easier to advance your career, whether you’re seeking a new job, advice on career advancement in your chosen field, or ways to stay current on industry trends. Some of the features you’ll find on the newly redesigned site include:

- Enhanced job searching
- Relevant job e-mail alerts
- Improved resume/CV uploading
- Search by geography
- Multimedia section

Visit ScienceCareers.org today. Your future awaits.

Upcoming Event: Careers Away from the Bench
Could you be missing out on an exciting and rewarding career outside of academic or industry research? Increasingly, Ph.D.-level scientists are considering career opportunities beyond the bench. Come to this workshop to look at your own career path in these so-called nontraditional areas. We’ll discuss the types of alternative careers available, how to parlay your current skills and values into a new area, ways to research career options, and how to develop the skills you might need.

- NIST
Wednesday, 25 February, 10-11:30 a.m.
Gaithersburg, Maryland

- Society for Toxicology Meeting
Monday, 16 March, 4:45-6:15 p.m.
Hilton, Key Ballroom 1&2
Baltimore, Maryland
 
Upcoming Event: Managing Your Relationship with Your Supervisor
A postdoc’s relationship with a supervisor can sometimes be difficult. In this workshop, we’ll talk about ways to manage this relationship, including proactive strategies to start, keep, or get the relationship on the right track, and methods for dealing with conflicts. By thinking through relationships with their own supervisors, postdocs will be better prepared to supervise students and postdocs in their own labs. The workshop will (1) offer advice and facilitate discussion about ways to build successful relationships and strategies to deal with conflict, and (2) use case studies to discuss ways to work through tensions or dilemmas that might arise with an adviser.

National Postdoctoral Association Meeting
(Must be registered for meeting)
Saturday, 28 March, 2:30-4 p.m.
Houston, Texas

National Postdoctoral Association

NPA Annual Meeting 

Questions? Email outreach@sciencecareers.org
See all Outreach Events


Science Careers Featured Jobs:


Department Chair - Human Sciences
Georgetown University, Washington, DC

Assistant Professor in Biochemistry (Tenure Track)
University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Postdoctoral Trainee
Temple University School of Medicine
Philadelphia, PA

Announcements


"A Survey of Attitudes and Actions on Dual-Use Research in the Life Sciences. A Collaborative Effort of the National Research Council and the American Association for the Advancement of Science" is now available in a prepublication edition. Please visit www.nap.edu to learn more. AAAS readers receive a special 25% discount offer on orders of the prepublication edition or on pre-orders of the forthcoming final edition of the book when they use source code AAASR9.

AAAS Names Winners of Prestigious Science Awards
AAAS has named 11 researchers, educators, and science advocates as winners of its 2008 science awards. Read about the awards, presented to winners 14 February during the 2009 AAAS Annual Meeting.
The Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology: Kenneth R. Miller, a biology professor at Brown University.

The International Scientific Cooperation Award: Ambassador Thomas Pickering.

The Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement: Percy A. Pierre, vice president and professor emeritus of electrical & computer engineering at Michigan State University.

The Mentor Award: Sylvia T. Bozeman, professor of mathematics at Spelman College in Atlanta.

The Newcomb Cleveland Prize: Team members Anoop Kumar, James W. Godwin, Phillip B. Gates, and Jeremy P. Brockes of University College London; A. Acely Garza-Garcia of the U.K.’s National Institute for Medical Research.

The Philip Hauge Abelson Prize: Richard A. Meserve, president of the Carnegie Institution for Science.

The Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award: Drummond Rennie, M.D., journal editor and educator.

Call for Symposium Proposals
2010 Annual Meeting: Bridging Science and Society

The AAAS Annual Meeting is one of the most widely recognized interdisciplinary scientific events, with hundreds of networking opportunities and broad national and international media coverage. For theme statement, proposal submission guidelines, and deadlines go to http://www.aaas.org/meetings/2010/program/symposia/submit/. The meeting will be held in San Diego, California, 18-22 February 2010.

Nominate High School Teachers for the AAAS Leadership Prize: Deadline 24 April
US high school science department chairs and administrators are urged to nominate qualified science teachers to receive the 2009 AAAS Leadership in Science Education Prize for High School Science Teachers, established through generous support from AAAS member Edith D. Neimark. This award recognizes a high school science teacher who has contributed significantly to the AAAS goal of advancing science education by developing and implementing an innovative and demonstrably effective strategy, activity, or program. To access the nomination and application forms, go to http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/awards/hs_scied_leadership/. For more information, contact Lester Matlock at lmatlock@aaas.org.

Sign Up for 2009 Atlas of Science Literacy Workshops
Project 2061 continues a popular workshop for K-12 educators and adds an innovative new workshop for informal science education.
"Using Atlas of Science Literacy"
Designed for K-12 science teachers, curriculum specialists, and other educators and researchers, these workshops demonstrate how participants can use the conceptual strand maps in Atlas 1 and Atlas 2, along with other Project 2061 resources, to enhance their own understanding of science literacy and take a benchmarks-based approach to helping all students achieve literacy in science, mathematics, and technology. Atlas of Science Literacy is co-published by AAAS and NSTA.
- Washington, D.C. 2-4 March
- Madison, Wisconsin 22-24 June
- Durham, North Carolina 14-16 September
- Washington, D.C. 19-21 October

"Using Atlas of Science Literacy in Informal Science Learning Settings"
Designed for science center and museum staff, you will gain new perspectives on making your programs and exhibits more relevant to K-12 teachers and students by using the Atlas of Science Literacy strand maps and other Project 2061 resources in your planning.
- Chicago, Illinois, 11-13 March, Museum of Science and Industry (MSI)

Scholarships and Early Bird rates are available, but registration is limited. For more details and a registration form, go to our workshop information page and check the Project 2061 website for up-to-date information at http://www.project2061.org/events/workshops/default.htm. If your institution would like to co-host a workshop, go to http://www.project2061.org/events/workshops/cohost.pdf for details. To receive our free e-newsletter and automatic updates on workshops and other Project 2061 news, sign up at http://www.project2061.org/about/feedback.asp.

AAAS Awards Memberships and Grants to Students
In collaboration with the National Association of Academies of Science and the American Junior Academies of Science, AAAS has awarded one-year honorary AAAS memberships to 21 high school and undergraduate students who were nominated by eight state academies. Student Research Grants were made to the Washington Academy of Sciences, the Indiana Academy of Sciences, the New Jersey Academy of Science, the South Carolina Junior Academy of Sciences, and the Iowa Academy of Science. http://www.aaas.org/programs/education/naas.shtml

Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program Announces Grant Winners
Fourteen colleges and universities have been selected for awards of up to $60,000, paid over three years, for use by the biology and chemistry departments at the recipient institution. This year’s winners are: Harvey Mudd College, University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, Otterbein College, Bowdoin College, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Ashland University, Siena College, Kean University, Furman University, Lebanon Valley College, Niagara University, University of West Florida, State University of New York at New Paltz, and Colorado College.

Since 1994, the program, sponsored by the Merck Institute for Science Education (MISE) and AAAS, has awarded grants to support undergraduate interdisciplinary research in the sciences. Grants have been awarded to more than 200 colleges and universities and have supported more than 2,000 undergraduates, providing them the opportunity to work with and learn from faculty in the laboratory and engage in basic research. Read more about the program.

Join the AAAS President’s Circle
The coming years represent a unique opportunity for science and the nation. To stay at the forefront of these opportunities, AAAS needs increased individual support. With philanthropic contributions totaling $500 or more, you will be recognized as part of the newly launched AAAS President’s Circle and will join a select group that receives periodic briefings on key issues. Please visit us online at http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/giving/types/designate.shtml, or call +1 (202) 326-6636 for more information.

Register Now for the Darwin 2009 Festival
Science and AAAS are proud to be a major sponsor of the Darwin 2009 Festival taking place in Cambridge, UK, 5-9 July. The festival celebrates both the bicentenary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species. The week-long event will engage everyone from scientists to schoolchildren, with talks from Sir David Attenborough, Ian McEwan, Richard Dawkins, A.S. Byatt, Lord Martin Rees, Lord Robert May, and Nobel laureates Sir John Sulston, Sir Paul Nurse, and Harold Varmus, plus many more. Early registration is recommended for this popular festival. Go to http://www.darwin2009.cam.ac.uk/ for more information and to register.

Apply for a Minority Science Writers Internship with Science
Science is a global activity, but the demographics of the journalists who cover it do not reflect that diversity. The AAAS Minority Science Writers Internship is for students who are interested in journalism as a career and who want to learn about science writing. Interns spend 10 weeks at Science, the world’s largest interdisciplinary journal, under the guidance of award-winning reporters and editors. The paid internship includes travel to and from the internship site in Washington, D.C. Go to http://www.aaas.org/mswi for an application and information. Deadline: 1 March 2009.


About AAAS


AAAS News & Notes appears in Science in the last issue of each month.
You can also read more about AAAS at www.aaas.org.
Science magazine is available at www.sciencemag.org.
Change your mailing address or other info at www.aaasmember.org

Invest in AAAS
Contributions from our members and friends are needed to support AAAS’s mission to promote science in all forms. Visit us online to make a gift, or call +1 (202) 326-6636.
With your support, we can continue to speak up for you --and advance science for the benefit of society worldwide.

Member Benefit

AAAS Travels
AAAS Members are invited to participate in tours and expedition voyages in a member benefit program called AAAS Travels.  Each year, AAAS Members explore the globe  from Xinjiang to Sicily, Lake Baikal to Antarctica.  In 2009 there are special opportunities to see the Total Solar Eclipse as it crosses over China, plus travel to South Africa, Madagascar, France and more! Please phone AAAS Travels (800) 252-4910 for information, or visit this website.


Meet Up at Upcoming Events


AAAS/Science will have a booth at the following events. Stop by to pick up your member pin.

US Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) 2009 Conference,
22-25 February, San Diego, California, USA.

Pittcon Conference & Expo,
8-13 March, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting,
15-19 March, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

American Physical Society (APS) Annual March Meeting,
16-20 March, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA


Additional Meetings

The 3rd EuPa Congress,
14-17 June, Stockholm, Sweden
The overall theme is Clinical Proteomics and important Life Science developments, and research trends such as protein chip microarrays, bioinformatics, and disease-related protein expression studies will be presented. Highlights from recent biomarkers discoveries, novel bioanalytical methodology, and optimization using new LC/MS platforms also will be reported.

The 2nd Meeting on Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases,
3-6 March, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2009 ATS International Conference,
15-20 May, San Diego, California, USA

Westlake International Conference on Personalized Medicine,
29-31 May, Hangzhou, China

e-Biosphere 09,
1-3 June, London, UK

34th FEBS Congress,
4-9 July (registration through 28 February),
Prague, Czech Republic


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