News
- Lalor Foundation Postdoctoral Program
- Tom Spencer on National Geographic Explorer
- Phyllis Wise elected to Institute of Medicine
- US Presidential Nominees’ positions on science issues
- Lrh1 key to regulating ovulation
- 2007 National Medal of Science
- 2008 Meeting Coverage
- NIH Reauthorization Bill
- Public Affairs Executive Committee (PAEC)
- Activities of the FASEB Science Policy Committee
Lalor Foundation Postdoctoral Program
The Lalor Foundation is pleased to announce the resumption of its Postdoctoral Fellowship Program with a 15 January 2010 deadline. Guidelines and application information are available at www.lalorfound.org.
Dr. Tom Spencer on National Geographic Explorer
SSR member Tom Spencer appeared on the 13 January episode of National Geographic Explorer. The episode, entitled “The Virus Hunters”, highlighted the work of Dr. Spencer and his colleagues at Texas A&M’s Laboratory of Uterine Biology and Pregnancy, and their discovery that naturally occurring endogenous retroviruses are required for pregnancy in sheep.
Phyllis Wise elected to Institute of Medicine
SSR member Phyllis Wise has been elected to the Institute of Medicine. Established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, IOM has become recognized as a national resource for independent, scientifically informed analysis and recommendations on human health issues.
US Presidential candidates’ positions on science issues
Scientists & Engineers for America have prepared a useful page listing both John McCain’s and Barack Obama’s stated positions on scientific issues. Topics include Research and Research Funding, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Sex Education, and Healthcare.
Both candidates’ answers to a list of 14 questions on science issues, and their public statements, can be found at the SEforA web site:
Science Debate
Representatives of US Presidential nominees Senators John McCain and Barack Obama agreed to meet with the scientific community and public in a forum on science policy with a focus on health. The debate took place on 18 September, and was open to the public. A record of the debate is available via streaming video.
Lrh1 key to regulating fertility
SSR members Rajesha Duggavathi and Bruce Murphy have received coverage in the general press for their work in identifying Liver receptor homolog 1 as being essential for ovulation.
SSR Member Bert W. O’Malley receives the 2007 National Medal of Science
SSR Member Bert W. O’Malley has received the 2007 National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest honor for science. Dr. O’Malley was the 2007 awardee of the Carl G. Hartman Award, the Society’s highest award, given in recognition of a research career and scholarly activities in the field of reproductive biology.
- Dr. O’Malley's Hartman Award commendation
- Baylor College of Medicine feature story
- National Academies’ Science Medals announcement
Congratulations, Dr. O’Malley!
Meeting Coverage
The results Kevin Eggan presented at the 2008 Meeting of the SSR were covered in the 12 June issue of Nature (subscription or password required):
SSR Member Patricia Hunt's results were covered in an interview in the 19 June issue of Nature (subscription or password required):
Additional coverage of the 2008 SSR Meeting can be found in Nature journalist Brendan Maher's blog.
NIH Reauthorization Bill and Establishment of FASEB as an Important Player in Science Policy on Capitol Hill
“It has been recommended that every Federal Agency be reauthorized by Congress every 3 years. The last time Congress passed a Reauthorization Bill for NIH was 13 years ago. Congressman Joe Barton, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Cmmittee, wanted Congress to have better acquaintance with and oversight of NIH, particularly after the doubling of NIH and continued requests for increases in funding. Two years ago, Congressman Barton began drafting a Bill based on his understanding of the functions of the NIH…”
Public Affairs Executive Committee (PAEC) and Enhanced Public Access Subcommittee of the Science Policy Committee of FASEB
As SSR Representative to FASEB, Dr. Virendra Mahesh serves on the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) as well as a Director on the FASEB Board. In addition, he served on the Enhanced Public Access Subcommittee of the Science Policy Committee of FASEB. The PAC and Enhanced Public Access Subcommittee generally have a conference call once a month to discuss the current issues facing FASEB member societies. The PAC and the Board of Directors of FASEB addressed several key issues pertaining to research, and these are summarized.
Topics covered:
- Research Funding
- Politicization of Science
- NIH Reauthorization
- Animal Research
- NIH Funding
- Policy on Scientific Publications
Activities of the FASEB Science Policy Committee
Summary of SPC Face to Face Meeting on September 26–27, 2004
Thomas Spencer reports on the events of the FASEB SPC Meeting on September 26–27, 2004 at FASEB headquarters in Bethesda, MD
Topics covered:
- Animal Rights Terrorism in the USA
- Patents and Technology Transfer
- Access to NIH Research Information