AIBS News February 2010

• 2010 AIBS Board of Directors

  The 2010 AIBS Board of Directors, led by President Joseph Travis (Department of Biological Science, Florida State University), took office last month for the calendar year 2010. James P. Collins (Arizona State University) joins the board as President-Elect. Alan H. Savitzky (Old Dominion University, Virginia) has been reelected to a second term on the board from the AIBS Council of Member Societies and Organizations. Muriel E. Poston (Skidmore College, New York) has been elected to the board from the general membership. Continuing board member Louis J. Gross (University of Tennessee, Knoxville) has been elected to Treasurer. Continuing board member Steward T. A. Pickett (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, New York) has been appointed by President Travis to fill the remainder of Gross's board position, through to the end of 2010, vacated when Gross was elected Treasurer.

  AIBS thanks Rita R. Colwell (University of Maryland at College Park) for her service to AIBS as she rotates off the board, having served as president in 2008, and Richard B. Norgaard (University of California, Berkeley) for his service to AIBS as he rotates off the board, having served as treasurer from 2004 to 2009.

  For the full 2010 AIBS Board roster, go to www.aibs.org/about-aibs/board.html.

• Recent Articles Online at www.actionbioscience.org

  Original article in English
  "The Future of Marine Fish Resources," by J. Emmett Duffy, of the College of William and Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science. In this article, Duffy warns that if we do not act soon, many marine fish species will disappear. He suggests ways to mitigate the damage caused by overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and pollution. Read the article at www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/duffy.html.

  "Technology: An Educational Issue?" blog posts
  This blog (http://teachissues.blogspot.com) about issues in educational technology discusses ways to learn and teach the biological sciences using technology. Recent posts and discussions include:

  * Edublog Awards
  * Science Policy/Public Affairs Webinar
  * Video Curator

  Spanish translations of a previously posted article
  "En Busca de la Sra. o el Sr. Gen Perfectos: Exámenes Genéticos Premaritales" [Looking for Ms. or Mr. Gene Right: Premarital Genetic Screening], by Gil Siegal, director of the Center for Health Law and Bioethics at Ono Academic College in Israel. Siegal addresses questions about premarital genetic testing and responsible decisionmaking. Read the article in Spanish at www.actionbioscience.org/esp/genomic/siegal.html and in English at www.actionbioscience.org/genomic/siegal.html.

• Recent Public Policy Reports Online at www.aibs.org/public-policy-reports

  Public Policy Report for 7 December 2009

  AIBS Webinar to help students, young professionals explore careers in science policy.
  A growing number of people seek employment that allows them to apply their scientific skills and training to the resolution of societal problems. Whether an individual's interests are in education, health, environment, or the nation's investment in scientific research, a public policy career is one way that scientists can convert their education into action.

  New presidential bioethics council to take policy-based approach.
  On 24 November, President Obama announced the establishment of a new presidential council to advise him on bioethical matters, replacing the sometimes-controversial bioethics council that advised President George W. Bush.

  Upcoming Webcast on reporting requirements for stimulus funds.
  On 10 December, the US Chief Financial Officers Council, a division of the federal government, hosted a Webcast for stakeholders regarding reporting requirements for grants funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

  Attention graduate students: AIBS accepting 2010 EPPLA applications.
  AIBS is pleased to announce that applications for the 2010 Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award are now being accepted. This award recognizes graduate students in the biological sciences who have demonstrated initiative and leadership in science policy.

  AIBS writes to senators about scientific integrity in health care reform.
  On 30 November, the AIBS wrote to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), and Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) about a provision in the health care reform bill that could have negative ramifications for scientific research on comparative effectiveness of medical treatments. The letter calls for the removal of language from Section 6301 of HR 3590 that could require that research findings funded by a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute be reviewed and approved by an administrative process prior to submission for scientific peer-review and publication.

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