AIBS co-sponsors symposium on evolution
by Brian Stagg, Education Program Associate AIBS

AIBS and NESCent (National Evolutionary Synthesis Center) co-hosted a symposium titled "Evolution: Applications in Human Health and Populations" at the National Association of Biology Teachers conference in Atlanta on December 1. The speakers, representing a variety of biological disciplines, came from Cornell, Harvard, the Centers for Disease Control, Emory, Stanford, and Binghamton University. Each speaker presented on evolution as it related to their area of research, including disease, bioethics, genetics, and human social traits. Information about the speakers, evolution resources, and links to previous symposia can be found at www.aibs.org/special-symposia/.

Something to talk about…
by Brian Stagg, Education Program Associate AIBS

The November 2007 issue of BioScience cover story "Green Roofs as Urban Ecosystems: Ecological Structures, Functions, and Services" examines the environmental implications of green roof construction. The authors of the article suggest that green roofs can mitigate problems stemming from the building of impervious surfaces such as run off or heat gain. Additionally, the authors contend that green roofs provide beneficial habitat in an urban environment. This article provides a great topic of discussion for your next chapter meeting or just between those interested in the environment, urban ecology, and conservation. Some questions to spark discussion include…

Boost your chapter's visibility by joining COPUS
by Sheri Potter, Outreach Program Associate AIBS

Your chapter is invited to participate in a grassroots movement to improve science literacy. The Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) links student groups, universities, scientific societies, science centers and museums, advocacy groups, media, educators, businesses, and industry in a peer network that strives to create a greater public understanding of the nature of science and its value to society. Through participation in COPUS, your student group can lead a celebration of science on your campus in honor of Year of Science 2009, participate in a regional hub, or reach out to your community in a new way! To register, complete the online registration form at http://copusproject.org/register/.

One COPUS participant, the WGBH Educational Foundation, is promoting a national program to initiate "Science Cafés." This informal venue for science outreach brings scientists and the general public together in a coffee house or pub to promote discourse about timely science topics. Each meeting begins with a brief presentation given by a scientist and is then open to discussion from everyone in attendance. Your chapter can take the lead in organizing a Café in your community. It is easy to do! To learn more, visit www.sciencecafes.org/index.html.

AIBS Student Chapters on Facebook
by Brian Stagg, Education Program Associate AIBS

Are you on Facebook? Well, AIBS is! AIBS Student Chapters Facebook group provides links to interesting biology news and research, job opportunties, and discussion on issues in biology. To join, search "AIBS Student Chapters" on Facebook or find a link on the AIBS Web page.

Ever been to an AIBS annual meeting?
by Brian Stagg, Education Program Associate AIBS

This year's AIBS annual meeting "Climate, Environment, and Infectious Diseases" will be held in Washington, DC, May 12-13, 2008. Chaired by incoming AIBS President Rita Colwell, University of Maryland, College Park, the meeting will address the issues surrounding the interrelationships of climate, environment, and human health as manifested in infectious disease patterns. The meeting will showcase research studying the link between Vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, Avian influenza, and SARS, to the environment and climate. Additionally, a special session featuring science communicators and authors of popular books addressing various aspects of infectious disease, human health, climate, and the environment will highlight the interplay between public policy and education. The keynote speaker is Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, and James E. Hansen, from National Aeronautics and Space Administration, will speak about climate change.

Attending an annual meeting is a great way to hear about current research and meet the scientists you read about in journals. Registration information as well as links to lectures from previous meetings can be found at www.aibs.org/annual-meeting/.