The Committee on Educational Paradigms for Homeland Security will meet on April 26th in the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC (500 Fifth Street NW). A draft agenda for the meeting is attached. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Denise Greene (by email: dgreene@nas.edu or by telephone: 202-334-1399).
The Committee on Adolescent Health and Development will hold a Planning Meeting on Adolescent Decisionmaking on April 30th in the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC (500 Fifth Street NW). A draft agenda is attached. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Wendy Keenan (by email: wkeenan@nas.edu or by telephone: 202 334 1759).
The Committee on Global Challenges and Directions for Agricultural Biotechnology will meet May 13-14 at the Academies' main building at 2101 Constitution Avenue NW in Washington DC. A draft agenda will be posted shortly at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Michael Kisielewski (by email: mkisiele@nas.edu or by telephone: 202-334-3062).
The Committee on Adolescent Health and Development will meet May 12-14 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC (500 Fifth Street NW). A draft agenda for the meeting is attached. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Wendy Keenan (by email at wkeenan@nas.edu or by telephone at 202-334-1759.
This one-day workshop will consider a variety of dimensions of disaster preparedness, including public health effects and training needs, local partnerships, and equity issues. The workshop, to be held at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC, is free and open to the public, but registration is required (see the link below for registration). If you wish further information about the workshop or the National Academies' Disasters Roundtable, please contact Patricia Jones Kershaw, Disasters Roundtable, by email at pkershaw@nas.edu, by telephone at 202 334 1964, or by fax at 202 334 1961.
This workshop of the Committee on Disaster Research in the Social Sciences will be held August 23-25, 2004 at the Academies' Keck Center, 500 5th Street NW in Washington. Background about the committee and a draft agenda are available at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Byron Mason, by e-mail at bmason@nas.edu or by telephone at 202-334-3511.
The Committee to Review the WIC Food Packages will meet September 9-10 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC (500 5th Street NW). The meeting will include a public forum on Thursday, September 9, from 1:00 to 3:00. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Jon Sanders, by e-mail at <JSanders@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2911.
The Committee on the Establishment of a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program will meet September 29-30 at the Academies' J. Erik Johnson Woods Hole Center in Woods Hole MA. The meeting will begin with an open session on outcome data and lessons learned from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute study. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Judy Estep, by e-mail at <jestep@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202-334-2013.
The Committee on Global Challenges and Directions for Agricultural Biotechnology will meet October 25-26 at the Academies headquarters facility in Washington. The meeting will feature international speakers from universities, foundations, and NGOs. A draft agenda is attached. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Sarah Rasmussen, by email at srasmussen@nas.edu or by telephone at 202-334-3062.
The science behind the movie "The Others" will be discussed at a screening hosted by the Marian Koshland Science Museum. Following the film, James Cleaver, an internationally recognized expert on the molecular mechanisms of environmentally induced and genetically determined human cancers, will discuss the genetic basis for photosensitive diseases and describe the measures that must be taken to care for a child with such a disease. The event will be held December 2 at the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Registration information is available online.
This two-day workshop, organized by the National Academies' Board on Life Sciences, will be held October 12 at the Academies' headquarters facility in Washington DC. Admission is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Interested persons can also participate by listening to a live audio webcast (requires free RealPlayer) and submitting questions using an e-mail form, both of which are accessible on the <NationalAcademies.org> home page during the event.
The committee on Policy Implications of International Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars in the US will meet November 11-12 in the Academies' Keck Center at 500 Fifth Street NW in Washington; a draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Laurel Haak, by email at <lhaak@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1438.
A continuation of the Institute of Medicine's series on Crossing the Quality Chasm, the Committee on Adaptation to Mental Health and Addictive Disorders will meet November 15-16 at the Academies' Beckman Center ni Irvine CA; a draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Rebecca Benson, by e-mail at <rbenson@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3632.
The Committee to Evaluate Measures of Health Benefits for Environmental, Health, and Safety Regulation will meet November 30-December 1 at the Academies' Keck Center (500 Fifth Street NW) in Washington; a draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Ryan Palugod, by email at <rpalugod@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3973.
The National Academies are pleased to announce the creation of our Foundation Gateway, featuring links to items of particular interest to foundation representatives, such as studies and reports supported by foundation funding as well as ways to get involved in the work of the Academies. The Gateway will be launched in early December.
The Panel on Residence Rules in the Decennial Census met December 13-14 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. The open session on Monday Dec 13 included remarks by US Census Bureau officials and a discussion of proposed revisions for the 2006 Census Test. The agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like more information please contact Agnes E. Gaskin, by email at <agaskin@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2240.
The Committee on Electronic Voting met December 9-10 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Open sessions included presentations by representatives of the gaming industry, election officials, and voter advocates, as well as discussions of the technical, social, and operational issues related to voting systems. The agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like more information please contact Brandye Williams, by email at <brwillia@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1481.
The Disasters Roundtable: "Lessons Learned Between Hurricanes: From Hugo to Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne" was held March 8th in the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington. Discussions considered responses to past and recent hurricanes in the context of future such challenges, and addressed aspects such as evacuation, climate change, building safety, and emergency management. An agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like more information, please contact Byron Mason, by email at <bmason@nas.edu> or by telephone at (202) 334-3511.
The Committee on Science Learning, Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, will meet in open session on March 14th at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Claudia Sauls, by email at <csauls@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202-334-2010.
The Committee on Residence Rules in the Decennial Census will meet in open session on the afternoon of March 18th, at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. A draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Agnes Gaskin, by email at <agaskin@nas.edu> or by telephone at (202) 334-2240.
The Committee on Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity will meet April 12-13 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Shannon Wisham, by email at swisham@nas.edu or by telephone at 202-334-1947.
The Committee on Improving the Disability Decision Process: SSA's Listing of Impairments and Agency Access to Medical Expertise will hold its second meeting on April 18-19, 2005, at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation's Barbara Jordan Conference Center, 1330 G Street NW, Washington DC, on Monday the 18th and at the National Academies Keck Building, 500 5th Street NW, Washington DC. The meeting will be open to the public all day on Monday the 18th and until noon on Tuesday the 19th. Specifics regarding the open sessions will become available as the meeting's agenda is finalized. Registration details are posted at www.iom.edu/ssa.
The Committee on Public Water Supply Systems will meet April 18-19 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. A draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Ellen de Guzman, by email at edguzman@nas.edu or by telephone at 202-334-3422.
The Marian Koshland Science Museum will celebrate its one-year anniversary on Saturday, April 23, 2005. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors can enjoy sidewalk science demonstrations, free admission to the museum, and free popcorn. Featuring state-of-the-art interactive exhibits targeted to both students and adults, the museum translates the studies conducted by the National Academies into accessible, engaging exhibits. The museum also offers students and adults a wide range of educational programs inspired by the museum's exhibits, including hands-on activities, educational field trips, and other special events throughout the year.
The NRC is conducting an evaluation of outcomes of grants and fellowships given by the Lucille P. Markey Charitable Trust in the biomedical sciences between 1982 and 1997. The meeting on June 13th, held at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC, will consider the role of evaluation. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact George Reinhart, by email at <greinhar@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3162.
An Institute of Medicine committee that is examining the state of the science on gene-environment interactions that affect human health, with a focus on the social environment, will hold a workshop June 16-17 in Washington DC. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Andrea Schultz, by email at <aschultz@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2796.
An Institute of Medicine committee is charged with examining issues surrounding organ donation and evaluating the ethical implications of proposals to increase deceased organ donation. The committee will meet June 20-21 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Judy Estep, by email at <jestep@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2013.
The second workshop of the IOM Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research will be held June 29-30 in Washington DC in the Athens room of the Hotel Monaco (700 F Street NW). A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you are interested in attending or have any questions about the workshop please contact Lora Taylor by email at <lktaylor@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1498.
An NRC committee has been appointed to study Ecosystem Effects of Fishing; phase II of the committee's work focuses on Assessments of the Extent of Change and the Implications for Policy. The committee will meet June 30-July 1 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. A draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link in mid-June. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Phillip Long by email at <plong@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2733.
The meeting will be held July 19-21 at the National Academy of Sciences Building, 2100 C St. NW in Washington. The meeting will be open to the public July 19th 3:00pm-6:00pm and July 20th 1:00pm-5:30pm. The first open session will be devoted to hearing public statements, which may help the committee in its assessment of the current system for evaluating and ensuring drug safety post-marketing and in formulating recommendations to improve risk assessment, surveillance, and the safe use of drugs. Information about speaker sign-ups and about nonpresenters' attendance is included at the attached link.
The Committee on Disability in America: A New Look will hold a workshop to consider continuing gaps in disability science and the evidence base for public and private actions to reduce the impact of disability and related conditions on individuals and society in the United States. The workshop will take place August 1-2 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Ayanna N. Vest, by e-mail at <avest@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2360.
The National Academy of Sciences presents several awards to recognize outstanding achievements in science. Awards in 2006 will be given in fields including computational science, chemistry, environmental science, and geology and paleontology. In addition, awards for young investigators will be given in molecular biology and psychology. Nominations will be accepted through September 6, 2005; details are available online.
Come listen on September 13th as Carnegie Institution scientist Robert Hazen discusses his book "Genesis: The Scientific Quest for Life's Origins," which explores how life began billions of years ago. Dr. Hazen will talk about life's chemical origins, the theory of emergence, the integration of the full spectrum of scientific ideas in the pursuit of one of the world's most fundamental questions, and evidence of life's beginnings in a sequence of natural events.
It seems that hurricanes have become increasingly intense. Is this an aberration, or indicative of a greater climatic cycle? Dr. Gerry Bell of NOAA's Hurricane Prediction Center will share his experience in hurricane modeling and forecasting, and discuss the relation between hurricane activity and climate change. The event will take place Wednesday, September 14, 2005, 6:30pm - 8:30pm at the National Academies' Koshland Science Museum in Washington DC.
The Committee on PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) Implementation Evaluation will meet September 13-16 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC (500 Fifth Street). Sessions will be open to the public on Thursday the 15th. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Angela Mensah, by email at <amensah@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3594.
The Committee on Evaluation of the Impact of Teacher Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) will meet September 18-19 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC (500 Fifth Street). Discussions will be open to the public on Monday the 19th 9:45am - 1:45pm. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Teresia Wilmore, by email at <twilmore@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2160.
The Committee on Assessing Interactions Among Social, Behavioral, and Genetic Factors in Health will hold a meeting and workshop September 29-30 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC (500 Fifth Street). The workshop, which is open to the public, will take place Thursday the 29th 9:00am - 12:00pm. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Andrea Schultz, by email at <aschultz@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2796.
The Committee on Mitigating Shore Erosion Along Sheltered Coasts will hold a workshop in Seattle WA October 4-6, 2005, with day-long sessions open to the public on the 4th and 5th. Workshop participants will examine the efficacy, practicability, and environmental effects of erosion mitigation techniques. Day one will involve breakout groups that will discuss mitigation approaches based on geomorphic setting (beach, marsh/mud, bluff/headland). Day two will involve breakout groups to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of mitigation strategies. A preliminary agenda is posted at the accompanying pdf link.
The Committee on Planning for Catastrophe: A Blueprint for Improving Geospatial Data, Tools, and Infrastructure will hold a 2-day workshop on Geospatial Information for Disaster Management in Washington DC October 5-6. The workshop will take place in the Academies' historic building at 2101 Constitution Avenue NW and will be open to the public. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions that are open to the public or need more information please contact Amanda Roberts, by email at aroberts@nas.edu or by telephone at 202 334 2744.
Join Joe Palca, science correspondent for National Public Radio, for a discussion of the techniques and challenges of conveying complex, and sometimes controversial, scientific issues in print and radio journalism. To what extent do science and journalism influence and inform each other, or does one shape the other? This event will take place at the National Academies' Koshland Science Museum (6th and E Streets NW, Washington DC), Thursday, October 20, 2005 from 6:30PM to 8:00PM.
This Arthur M. Sackler colloquium will review the science in forensic science from multiple perspectives: the perspective of government forensic laboratories, the basic science underlying forensic technologies, and, of course, from the perspective of the courts, which ultimately must judge what scientific evidence should be admitted. The event will take place at the National Academies building at 2101 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC, November 16-18. Registration and other information about the colloquium are posted at the accompanying link.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation will hold a workshop on "The Role of Consumers and Healthcare Professionals in Adverse Drug Event Reporting: Key Challenges and Opportunities" November 3-4, 2005 in Washington DC. Topics to be addressed will include incentives and disincentives for physicians in reporting adverse drug events, how consumers should be involved in reporting such events, and tracking of adverse drug reactions and interactions. A draft agenda and registration information are posted at the accompanying link.
A workshop on "Using Demography Data and Tools More Effectively to Assist Populations at Risk of Facing Disasters" will be held November 14-15 in Washington DC (2100 C Street NW). An open session is scheduled on the 14th from 9:30 to noon; a preliminary agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Amanda Roberts, by email at <aroberts@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2744.
A workshop on Decision Making by Older Adults will be held from 9:00 to 3:30 on November 29th at the National Academies in Washington DC (2100 C Street NW). All sessions of the workshop will be open to the public, and will include presentations on neural, affective, and social impacts on decision making among the elderly. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend this meeting or need more information, please contact Donna Randall, by email at <drandall@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3403.
The Boards on Life Sciences and on Environmental Studies and Toxicology will co-host a 1-day workshop on "Applications of Genomic Signatures" December 7th in Welches OR. The workshop will include presentations by federal and other experts on regulatory and other data applications, as well as discussion of guiding principles. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Lucy Fusco, by email at <lfusco@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2993.
The National Academies' Center for Education will host a 2-day meeting on Teacher Preparation Programs in the United States, December 7-8 in Washington DC. The meeting will be open to the public the afternoon of Wednesday the 7th; a draft agenda for these open sessions is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the open sessions or need more information please contact Patricia Santos, by email at <psantos@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2877.
The Computer Science and Telecommunications Board will host a meeting to discuss Using Information Technology to Enhance Disaster Management, December 12-14 in La Jolla CA. The meeting will be open to the public on Monday the 12th; a draft agenda for those sessions is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Gloria Westbrook, by email at <gwestbrook@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3967.
The Food and Nutrition Board will host a 1-day workshop on Challenges in Managing Food-Derived Risk, December 13th in Washington DC. Presentations will address regulatory approaches; models, surveys, and biomarkers; and risk assessment and management. The preliminary agenda and registration information are posted at the accompanying PDF link.
The Committee on Disability in America: A New Look will meet January 9-10 in Washington DC. Sessions open to the public will be held the afternoon of Monday the 9th, and will include statements from invited disability advocacy and consumer groups and professional organizations, as well as discussions with representatives of the Veterans Health Administration, Deparment of Health and Human Services, and Department of Justice. A draft agenda for these open sessions is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the open sessions on January 9th or need more information please contact Afrah Ali, by email at <aali@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2360.
The Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine will host a workshop January 10-11 in Washington DC. This workshop is one of a series organized by the Roundtable in order to better understand environmental impacts on individual and societal health. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link along with registration information.
The Committee on Comparative Technology Policy: US and Foreign Technology Programs will co-host a symposium on "21st Century Innovation Systems for Japan and the United States: Lessons from a Decade of Change," to be held January 10-11 in Tokyo. A draft agenda for the symposium is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact McAlister Clabaugh, by email at <mclabaugh@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1529.
The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board has appointed a committee to assess Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity. The committee will meet January 11-12 in Washington DC. A draft agenda for the open sessions on Wednesday the 11th is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Jon Sanders, by email at <jsanders@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2911.
The National Academies' Polar Research Board will host a special presentation January 26 from 10:00am to 6:00pm at the Marian Koshland Science Museum in Washington DC. Designed for visitors ages 13 and older, the free event will feature stunning visuals capturing the polar landscape and its inhabitants.
The Committee to Review and Assess Health and Productivity Benefits of Green Schools will meet January 30-31 in Washington DC. A draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact the committee director, Lynda Stanley, by email at <lstanley@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3374.
The Committee on Principles of Environmental Stewardship for the Exploration and Study of Subglacial Environments will meet February 13-14 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Open sessions on both days will include discussions of the biology, genomics, microbiology, limnology, and biogeochemistry of subglacial lakes, the technology for reaching and sampling them, and environmental regulations and treaties. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Rachael Shiflett, by e-mail at <rshiflett@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3479.
The Committee to Assess the Performance of Surface and Subsurface Engineered Barriers for the containment of radioactive waste will meet February 14-15 at the Academies' Beckman Center in Irvine CA. The open session on the 14th will include visits to the McColl Superfund Site and the Puente Hills Landfill. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Jared Eno, by email at <jeno@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1912.
The Committee on Colorado River Hydrology will meet February 16 in Tucson AZ. The study's overarching objective is to help produce an improved hydrological baseline for use in support of water project operations and water resources management decisions (e.g., storage operations and diversions) across the Colorado River basin and other regions of the western US, especially during periods of extended drought. A draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Dorothy Weir, by email at <dweir@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3856.
The Committee on Analysis of Global Change Assessments will meet February 27-28 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Open sessions, including discussions of lessons learned from past assessments, will be held both days; a draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Rachael Shiflett, by e-mail at <rshiflett@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3479.
The Ocean Studies Board's 7th Annual Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecture will be held March 15, 2006 in the Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. The featured speaker will be Dr. Roger Pielke, Director of the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado. In light of recent natural disasters here and abroad, Dr. Pielke will consider the following questions: Have loss of life and damages associated with extreme weather events actually increased in recent years? What factors account for observed trends in the impacts of weather on society? More information is available at the accompanying link.
The National Academies have begun accepting nominations for the 2006 National Academies Communication Awards, which recognize excellence in reporting and communicating science, engineering, and medicine to the public during 2005. Three $20,000 prizes will be awarded to a book author; print or online journalist; and a producer or reporter in television or radio. Nominations must be completed online no later than April 7.
The Committee on Forest Hydrology will hold its first meeting March 22-23 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas NV. The committee is charged with examining the impacts of forest management on watershed processes, with a focus on effects such as surface runoff, overland flow, forest water temperature and chemistry, groundwater recharge, and sediment dynamics. The committee's report will consider the state of knowledge, relevant policy implications, and research needs to advance understanding of connections among hydrology, science, and land management and policy in forested landscapes. A draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Lauren E. Alexander, by email at <lealexander@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3422.
The Committee on the Effective Use of Data, Methodologies, and Technologies to Estimate Subnational Populations at Risk will hold a workshop on Populations at Risk March 13-15 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. A draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Amanda Roberts, by email at <aroberts@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2744.
The Committee on Coal Research, Technology, and Resource Assessments to Inform Energy Policy will meet March 20-22 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Sessions on the first two days of the meeting will be open to the public; a draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Amanda Roberts, by email at <aroberts@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2744.
A workshop on Cancer Biomarkers will be held in support of an Institute of Medicine project on Developing Biomarker-based Tools for Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, and Therapy--The State of the Science, Evaluation, Implementation, and Economics. The one-day workshop will take place March 20, at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC; a draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Mary Ann Pryor, by email at <mpryor@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1246.
Join us April 3-5 for "From Functional Genomics of Model Organisms to Crop Plants for Global Health," part of the Arthur M. Sackler Colloquia of the National Academy of Sciences. The colloquium will examine fundamental breakthroughs in genomics that will affect the future of food and agriculture, and the technical and non-technical challenges of bringing discoveries to the consumer. Lecturers will also discuss potential consumer responses to biotechnology. The honorable US Senator Kit Bond will give the keynote speech for the colloquium on April 3 at 7:00 p.m. Registration is required. Registration and further information about the Arthur M. Sackler Colloquia are posted at the accompanying Web link.
The National Academies will have an exhibit at this year's annual meeting of the Council on Foundations, which will take place May 7-9 in Pittsburgh PA. The exhibit will feature the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) and the Academies' Office of Communications. DBASSE's major programs include education; behavior and development; and economic, governance, and international studies. The exhibit will feature recently released studies from DBASSE and other divisions as well as information about the National Academies. For more information about this exhibit, contact Cortney Riese at <criese@nas.edu>. Information about the National Academies and about DBASSE is available at the accompanying link.
The National Academies will conduct a study, including a major 2-day summit of educators, employers, and others, to explore opportunities for institutions of higher education to improve the learning experience of undergraduate students pursuing careers at the intersection of agriculture, environmental and life sciences, and their related disciplines. The summit will examine innovations in teaching, learning, and the curriculum that are adaptive to differences in student backgrounds, attitudes, and expectations, and that better equip graduates with knowledge and skills appropriate for multiple career paths and demands. The committee will hold a planning meeting May 8-9, 2006, at the National Academies building at 2101 C Street NW in Washington, DC. For more information, see the accompanying link or contact Karen Imhof, by e-mail at <kimhof@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3507.
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have organized a Topical Meeting devoted to possible engineering responses to critical vaccine needs that might arise in the event of a worldwide viral pandemic. The meeting will take place April 10-11 at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland OH. Further information about the project, including a draft agenda, and registration is posted at the accompanying link. For more information, please contact Arthur Heuer at Case Western, by email at <arthur.heuer@case.edu> or by telephone at 216 368 3869.
The Committee on the Effective Use of Data, Methodologies and Technologies to Estimate Sub-National Populations at Risk will meet April 20-21 in the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Open sessions are scheduled the morning of April 20th; a draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link closer to the meeting date. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Amanda Roberts, by email at <aroberts@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2744.
A murder has taken place at the Koshland Science Museum and you need to solve the crime! What happened the night of the crime? How did the victim die? Who committed the crime? Using techniques that expert investigators use to solve real crimes, these are the questions you will answer as you solve the crime. Join us the evening of May 18th to interview suspects and collect evidence with forensics experts, including a medical examiner, a first response officer, and fingerprinting and firearms specialists.
The 14th Abel Wolman Distinguished Lecture will take place May 3rd and will feature award-winning science writer John M. Barry. Mr. Barry is the author of "Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America," a fascinating political, socioeconomic, and hydraulic history of the development of the lower Mississippi River basin. In this year's Wolman Lecture Mr. Barry, a part-time resident of New Orleans, will draw on his considerable knowledge to illuminate the present and future of the Gulf Coast region. The lecture will be held in the auditorium of the main Academies Building in Washington DC, from 5:00 to 6:00pm, followed by a reception. For more information or to RSVP, go to the accompanying link.
An ad hoc committee will seek to identify lessons learned from past assessments to guide future global change assessment activities of the US Climate Change Science Program. The committee will (1) examine the strengths and weaknesses of selected past assessments in a broad range of areas, and (2) identify approaches (in terms of geographic scale, scope, assessment entity, and timing) and products that are most effective for meeting assessment objectives. The meeting will take place May 25-26 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC; an agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Rachael Shiflett, by email at <rshiflett@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3479.
This study addresses the environmental and scientific protection standards needed to responsibly explore and study subglacial lake environments under continental-scale ice sheets. There are two key issues: (1) how to collect the best possible samples for scientific study while minimizing contamination of the sites and ensuring preservation for future scientific inquiry, and (2) how to ensure wise stewardship of these unique environments, including strict observance of environmental protection responsibilities under domestic and international laws and treaties. The meeting will take place May 25-26 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC; a draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Rachael Shiflett, by email at <rshiflett@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3583.
The National Academies' Board on Children, Youth, and Families will hold a workshop on Contributions from the Behavioral and Social Sciences in Reducing and Preventing Teen Motor Vehicle Crashes, May 15-16 in the Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Speakers will consider adolescent behavior and development as well as impacts of driving policies and technologies. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Wendy Keenan, by email at <wkeenan@nas.edu > or by telephone at 202 334 1759.
The Committee on Using Information Technology to Enhance Disaster Management will meet May 1-3 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC, with open sessions scheduled the afternoon of May 1st. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Gloria Westbrook, by email at <gwestbrook@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3967.
The Committee on the Mississippi River and the Clean Water Act will meet May 11-12 at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Open sessions, including time for public comments, will be held Thursday the 11th from 10:30am to 4:15pm. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Anita Hall, by email at <ahall@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3422.
A workshop on the Impact of Pregnancy Weight on Maternal and Child Health will be held May 30-31 in the Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Presentations will address short- and long-term maternal and infant health outcomes as well as behavioral and psychosocial factors. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Wendy Keenan, by email at <wkeenan@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1759.
A committee convened to evaluate the Impact of Teacher Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) will meet June 4-6 at the National Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Open sessions, scheduled Monday the 5th from 9:30am to 3:30pm, will include discussions of NBPTS content standards, systemic effects, methodological issues, and cost analysis. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Teresia Wilmore, by email at <twilmore@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2160.
A committee appointed to study aspects of Training Physicians for Public Health Careers will meet June 19-20 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Washington DC. Open sessions on the 19th will include presentations by federal, state, and private-sector speakers on public health needs, the intersection of MD and public health training, and visions for future training requirements for public health specialists. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Matt Solyst, by email at <msolyst@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3559.
A committee to study Learning Science in Informal Environments: A Review of Research Past, Present, and Future will hold its first meeting June 5-7 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Open sessions will be held June 6th from 9:00am to 3:00pm. A draft agenda and more information about the study are posted at the accompanying links. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Kemi Yai, by email at <kyai@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3981.
The Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy, together with the Confederation of Indian Industry, will host a symposium on India's Changing Innovation System: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities for Cooperation. The one-day event will take place June 16th in the Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact McAlister Clabaugh, by email at <mclabaugh@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1529.
The Committee on International Capacity Building for the Protection and Sustainable Use of Oceans and Coasts will hold its inaugural meeting July 6-8 at the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Open sessions, to be held the afternoon of the 6th and the morning of the 7th, will include discussions with representatives of the Packard Foundation (a sponsor of the project), World Bank, and Wildlife Conservation Society of Kenya; a draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Jodi Bostrom, by email at <jbostrom@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2628.
The first meeting of the National Academies Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee will be held July 6-7 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Open sessions, scheduled the afternoon of the 6th, will include presentations by other groups working on guidelines and by groups currently using the guidelines; a draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Anne Jurkowski, by email at <ajurkowski@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1442.
The Transportation Research Board is sponsoring the Historic and Archeological Preservation in Transportation Summer Workshop on July 23-26 in Williamsburg, Virginia. The workshop will include a plenary session celebrating the 40th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act and sessions covering archaeology and science, battlefields in transportation, the use of historic contexts, interstate highway evaluations, and other important historic preservation issues in transportation. The preliminary workshop program and more information about the event are posted at the accompanying links.
The National Academies' Transportation Research Board is cosponsoring the 9th International Level Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Symposium on September 10-14, 2006, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The symposium is designed to provide a forum to discuss advances in at-level grade crossings technology and operations in order to explore best practices and share international dialogue on level crossing issues. Related project information is posted at the accompanying link. For additional information contact Richard Cunard by e-mail at <rcunard@nas.edu>.
The National Academies' Transportation Research Board is cosponsoring the 5th National Seismic Conference on Bridges and Highways on September 18-20, 2006, in San Francisco CA. The purpose of the conference is to increase awareness of seismic and geological hazards and to enhance the level of technical expertise of engineering professionals so they can mitigate the risk of failure or damage to the nation's bridges and highways. A press release and additional information about the conference are posted at the accompanying links.
The Transportation Research Board is cosponsoring the 11th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People on June 18-21, 2007, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The conference will consist of three days of conference sessions, providing a mixture of keynote addresses, plenary and parallel sessions, and poster presentations. An extensive exhibition of equipment, infrastructure, and services for people with disabilities will be held during and before the conference. Project information is posted at the accompanying link. For additional information contact Martine Micozzi by e-mail at <mmicozzi@nas.edu>.
While infectious diseases remain the leading causes of human death, the general public does not appear to share this perception, especially in the shadow of equally scary but less likely risks such as a bioterrorist attack with smallpox. The Institute of Medicine's Forum on Microbial Threats will host a public workshop on "Ethical and Legal Considerations in Mitigating Pandemic Disease" September 19-20 at the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. A draft agenda and registration form are posted at the accompanying links. For more information, contact Kate Skoczdopole, by email at <kskoczdopole@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2462.
The National Academies will host a public convocation on September 28th to explore key action areas identified in our recent report, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future." The key areas include K-12 education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; higher education; research; and the innovation environment. A tentative agenda, registration form, and contact information are posted at the accompanying links.
Artist Robert Straight uses prime numbers to construct forms and establish color placement on his canvas. Come meet the artist and learn more about his mathematically precise process. The National Academies' Exhibitions and Cultural Programs office will host a gallery talk and reception on Sunday, September 9, in the upstairs gallery at the National Academies building at 2100 C Street NW. Admission is free. More information about the event and about the Academies' cultural programs is available at the accompanying links.
The Committee on International Capacity Building for the Protection and Sustainable Use of Oceans and Coasts will hold its second meeting August 20-22 at the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. A draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Jodi Bostrom, by email at <jbostrom@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2628.
The Koshland Science Museum will host public programs this fall on exploring the world beneath the seafloor, aging and mental acuity, the connection between nutrition and brain health, innovations in fuel technology, and much more. The activities scheduled for September through December are described in the accompanying press release, and additional information about the Museum is posted on its Web site.
The National Academy of Sciences and the National Library of Medicine will co-host a film festival October 25 and 26 featuring rare and historic animated cartoons from the 1920s to the 1960s representing many medical themes such as dental hygiene, venereal disease, and cancer.
The Committee on Enhancing Professional Development for Teachers will meet on September 28th in Washington DC to discuss plans for a workshop that will be held February 8-10, 2007, in Irvine CA. Open sessions of this planning meeting will take place the afternoon of the 28th; a draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. For more information, please contact Terry K. Holmer, by email at <tholmer@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1462.
The National Academies' Transportation Research Board (TRB) is sponsoring the 10th National Conference on "Transportation Planning for Small and Medium-Sized Communities: Tools of the Trade," September 13-15, 2006, in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference is designed to provide ready-to-use, economical, and practical techniques for transportation professionals in small (under 50,000) and medium-sized (50,000-250,000) communities. Topics expected to be examined include small urban system planning, livable communities, transit planning, rural transportation planning, technology sharing, project programming process, transportation logistics, public involvement, and environmental issues. The conference agenda and registration information are posted at the accompanying link.
The Committee on the Evaluation of USAID Democracy Assistance Programs will meet September 18-19 at the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Open sessions will be held Monday the 18th from 8:30 to 3:00. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Tabitha Benney, by email at <tbenney@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3064.
A Leadership Summit to Effect Change in Teaching and Learning will be held October 3-5 at the National Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Sessions will be open to the public beginning at 2:00 on Tuesday the 3rd and continuing until noon on Thursday the 5th. A draft agenda and project information are posted at the accompanying links. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Karen L. Imhof, by email at <kimhof@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3507.
In an effort to increase our knowledge and understanding of the interface between environmental agents and human disease, the Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine will conduct a two-day workshop titled "From Exposure to Human Disease: Research Strategies to Address Current Challenges." The workshop will be held September 14-15 at the National Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Registration (free) and other information about the workshop is posted at the accompanying link; or you can call 202 334 2548.
The Transportation Research Board is cosponsoring a conference on "Disaster Planning for the Car-less" February 8-9, 2007, in New Orleans. The conference will explore how America can better prepare for evacuating carless residents from cities during emergencies, including the elderly, disabled, and transit-dependent populations. Registration and additional conference information is posted at the accompanying link. (Early bird registration ends December 1, 2006.)
The next biennial meeting of the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies will be hosted by the Sri Lanka Academy of Sciences in Colombo April 4-6, 2007. It is expected that some 45 national academies will be represented at the meeting, which will include lectures by prominent human rights experts. Additional information about the meeting is posted at the accompanying link. The proceedings from the Network's previous meeting, in May 2005 at the Royal Society in London, are also posted at the accompanying link.
The Committee on International Capacity Building for the Protection and Sustainable Use of Oceans and Coasts will host a meeting November 13-14 in Panama. The sessions will include discussions of lessons learned from Panama as well as presentations by local and regional representatives of government, communities, and funders, and experts in design and administration. Project information and the draft agenda are posted at the accompanying links. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Jodi Bostrom, by email at <jbostrom@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2628.
Distinctive Voices@The Beckman Center will explore the far-reaching role of science, technology, and medicine in our lives with award-winning speakers and films. The evening programs will be held at the National Academies' Beckman Center in Irvine, California.
The Committee on Adolescent Health Care Services and Models of Care for Treatment, Prevention, and Healthy Development will host a forum and workshop on Adolescent Health Care on November 6th at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington. Presentations will address vulnerable populations, immigrants and refugees, and systems and provider perspectives. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact April Higgins, by email at <ahiggins@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1232.
The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee is hosting one in a series of periodic public symposia on developments in stem cell science and new or changing issues in ethics and policy. The next symposium will take place November 6-7 at the Academies' historic building in Washington. A draft agenda and registration information are posted at the accompanying link, along with a link to the project Web page. The project is sponsored by the Ellison Medical Foundation, the Greenwall Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
With fuel prices and concern over global warming heating up, what's being done to cool things off with more efficient fuels and engines? Join NPR Talk's Moira Gunn, who will moderate a discussion with leading policy and energy experts, for a thought-provoking look at current challenges and future opportunities in fuel innovation. The event will take place December 7th from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the National Academies' Koshland Museum in Washington DC. More information about the evening's program is posted at the accompanying link.
Join us for the Sackler Colloquium on "Evolution and Exploration of Solar Systems" January 5-7 in Irvine CA. The colloquium will provide a forum for discussion and assessment of current understanding of the nature of our solar system and a comparison with other planetary systems. Registration and other information is posted at the accompanying link.
Disease surveillance and detection are crucial weapons in the fight against newly emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Technological advances have contributed to public health surveillance and disease diagnostics, but many developing countries--where most of the global population resides--do not have adequate infrastructure to support such activities. The Institute of Medicine's Forum on Microbial Threats will discuss these issues at a 2-day workshop December 12-13, to be held in the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. The workshop is free and open to the public.
The National Academies' Teacher Advisory Council (TAC) will host a workshop on Enhancing Professional Development for Teachers: Potential Uses of Information Technology, February 8-9 at the Academies' Beckman Center in Irvine, CA. As space will be limited the session will also be webcast. A draft agenda and the TAC homepage are posted at the accompanying links. For more information please contact Terry Holmer, by e-mail at <tholmer@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1462.
The Committee on Adolescent Health Care Services and Models of Care for Treatment, Prevention, and Healthy Development will host a workshop on January 22nd at the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington. Sessions will address a broad range of related topics, including issues affecting incarcerated, homeless, LGBT, and mentally ill youth. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you are interested in attending, please contact April Higgins, by e-mail at <ahiggins@nas.edu>.
The Marian Koshland Science Museum's 2007 winter program features events on Internet art and culture, DNA evidence and the past, the physical impact of stress and relaxation with yoga, and a regional "brain bee" for high school students. The exhibit "Putting DNA to Work" will close on February 25.
As part of its National Meeting, the National Academy of Engineering will hold a public symposium in honor of Wm. A. Wulf and his 12 years of service as NAE president. The event will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2007, at the Beckman Center of the National Academies in Irvine CA. The agenda is posted at the accompanying link. Space at this free event is limited, so advance registration is required. Please contact Cecile Gonzalez at 202 334 1678 or <cgonzalez@nae.edu> for more information.
Celebrate International Darwin Day on February 12 at a free event especially for middle and high school teachers. Participants will have the opportunity to speak with researchers and educators about how current research on microbial evolution can be used to support the teaching of evolution in the classroom. Attendees will receive take-home resources from the National Academies, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, and more. Information about speakers and advance reservations is posted at the accompanying link.
On February 1 the National Academies will begin accepting nominations for the 2007 National Academies Communication Awards for excellence in reporting and communicating science, engineering, and medicine to the public during 2006. The awards are a component of the National Academies Keck Futures Initiative, a series of annual activities designed to realize the untapped potential of interdisciplinary research. The Initiative is funded by a 15-year, $40-million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation. The $20,000 communication prizes are awarded in three categories: book author; newspaper, magazine, or online journalist; and TV/radio producer or reporter. Nominations must be completed online no later than April 5, 2007.
A meeting on "Understanding Democratic Transitions and Consolidation from Case Studies: Lessons for Democracy Assistance" will be held March 5-6 at Stanford University. A preliminary agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Tabitha Benney, by email at <tbenney@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3064.
Every year the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the EngineerGirl! website sponsor an essay contest for pre-college students. The topics chosen for the contest highlight the positive impact of engineering on the world. The 2007 essay contest is on Engineering's Grand Challenges and is open to students in grades 6-12. Entries must be received by May 15th. More information is posted at the accompanying links.
The National Academies' Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee is organizing several regional meetings in 2007 to facilitate conversations with those involved in the oversight of stem cell research. The meetings -- designed for members and staff of stem cell research oversight (ESCRO and SCRO) committees, interested members of institutional research boards and other relevant committees, and others with an interest in the oversight of stem cell research -- will focus on implementation of the National Academies' Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. The central US meeting will be held in Chicago on April 24th. Registration and logistical information as well as the project's website are posted at the accompanying links.
Most of the carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal, oil, and gas are ultimately absorbed by the ocean, where carbon dioxide reacts with the seawater to form carbonic acid, which can dissolve the shells and skeletons of marine organisms. The increasing carbon dioxide emissions threaten the extinction of corals and other types of marine organisms, with unknown consequences for marine ecosystems globally. Dr. Ken Caldeira of the Carnegie Institution will discuss what is known about ocean acidification, the environmental consequences, and actions that could be taken to avoid the risk of environmental catastrophe in our oceans. This Eighth Annual Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecture will be held March 5th at the Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. The event is free and open to the public.
The Water Science and Technology Board is organizing a colloquium that will address water quality, water quantity, and land resources implications of biofuel production in the United States. The colloquium will address both "conventional" feedstock (e.g., grain and vegetable crops) and "next-generation" feedstock (e.g., cellulosic biomass and municipal solid waste). It will take place July 12, 2007 from 8 am - 5 pm at the National Academy of Sciences Building in Washington DC. More information is posted at the accompanying link.
The National Academies' annual Sackler Colloquium will take place April 10-11, on "Nanomaterials in Biology and Medicine: Promises and Perils." Researchers will discuss new ways to create functional nanomaterials in biology, challenges involved in bringing these technologies to the consumer, and related societal and ethical concerns. Prof. George Whitesides will deliver the 2007 Sackler Lecture, "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: A Portrait in Early Adolescence," which is free and open to the public, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10. The program, list of speakers, and registration information are posted at the accompanying links.
The National Academies' Policy and Global Affairs Division will host a meeting on Globalization of Innovation: Emerging Trends in Information Technology, Biopharma, and Financial Services, on April 20 in Washington DC. This one-day meeting is open to the public; a draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Mahendra Shunmoogam, by email at <mshunmoogam@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 2823.
The National Academies' Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee is organizing several regional meetings in 2007 to facilitate conversations with those involved in the oversight of stem cell research. The meetings -- designed for members and staff of stem cell research oversight (ESCRO and SCRO) committees, interested members of institutional research boards and other relevant committees, and others with an interest in the oversight of stem cell research -- will focus on implementation of the National Academies' Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. The eastern US meeting will be held in Cambridge MA on June 11th. Registration and logistical information as well as the project's website are posted at the accompanying links.
Is "environmentally sound manufacturing" an oxymoron? Learn how global competition is changing the way goods are made. Companies must reduce costs, produce better products, and do it with environmentally sound processes. Fresh thinking is required. Learn about new developments, new alliances and new technologies making this revolution possible. Gordon Forward, PhD, will deliver this presentation, part of the new "Distinctive Voices" series, on May 2 at the Beckman Center in Irvine, CA.
In 2002, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake on the Denali fault rattled the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Had the pipeline not withstood 18' of direct fault displacement, it would have been an environmental catastrophe. Learn how a major disaster was averted. See gripping photos of the fault rupture, debris avalanches, and the pipeline response. World-renowned expert in earthquake geology and champion of earthquake safety Lloyd Cluff will lead this presentation on May 16, part of the new "Distinctive Voices" series at the Academies' Beckman Center in Irvine, CA.
What methods should be used to research quality improvement in health care? What are reliable quality improvement strategies that can be implemented now? What lessons can be learned from other industries? How can we address barriers to research, such as funding, ethics, and publication? This workshop will begin to explore these questions and will identify effective quality improvement strategies. Speakers will address the "state of the science" of reviewing health care quality improvement and opportunities to strengthen quality improvement research and its implementation.
In the 20th century life expectancy increased by 30 years, smallpox was eradicated, and polio became nearly nonexistent. Still, 2.5 billion of the world’s people have not benefited; their lives remain short and scarred by communicable diseases. Have any poor countries had any success? What can be done? Dr. Nassim Assefi addresses these and other questions in her presentation on May 23, part of the "Distinctiove Voices" series at the Academies' Beckman Center in Irvine, CA.
Darwin is credited with demonstrating that organisms evolve and diversify through time. Even more important than the theory of biological evolution is his discovery of natural selection, the process that accounts for the design of organisms and their features. But the design of organisms is not intelligent, as would be expected from an engineer. It is imperfect and worse: defects, dysfunctions, oddities, waste, and even sadism pervade the living world. This could not be the product of an intelligent designer, unless this designer was intentionally deceitful and malevolent. Dr. Francisco J. Ayala will deliver this presentation, part of the new "Distinctive Voices" series, on June 6 at the Beckman Center in Irvine, CA.
This spring the Marian Koshland Science Museum in Washington, D.C., and Distinctive Voices@The Beckman Center in Irvine, Calif., will host a series of programs on science, technology, and medicine. Topics include climate and water, pollinators, music and the brain, wine and health, and how the great pyramids were built.
Explore connections among climate, water, and sustainability in a visual tour and discussion with Jon Foley from the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. See how researchers use state-of-the-art computer models and satellite measurements to analyze changes in land use, ecosystems, climate and freshwater resources across local, regional, and global scales. What do these findings tell us about the impacts of complex environmental systems on human health worldwide and how can this data inform decision-making? Date: May 1, 2008; Location: Koshland Science Museum; Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM; Cost: $8/$5 for students; Age Range: 13+; Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Contact the Koshland Science Museum at 202-334-1201 or ksm@nas.edu to purchase tickets.
The National Academies are organizing a national convocation on “Rising Above the Gathering Storm Two Years Later: Accelerating Progress toward a Brighter Economic Future.” The convocation will be held April 29, 2008 (Tuesday) at the J.W. Marriott Hotel here in Washington, D.C. The National Academy of Engineering and the National Academies are organizing the convocation with support from the National Math and Science Initiative. The event will take stock of what has occurred since the fall of 2005, when the National Academies released the report Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future. Major accomplishments include the passage of the bipartisan America COMPETES Act, which was signed by the President last August, as well as initiatives by several states and by the private sector. In addition, the convocation will strengthen engagement among the various stakeholders seeking to renew American innovation and explore how progress can be sustained and accelerated. If you plan to participate, please register at the convocation website as soon as possible. We expect to close registration when capacity for the event is reached.
The U.S. National Academies' Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability will convene a symposium to examine the multi-stakeholder partnership record in addressing issues associated with sustainability. The symposium, June 18th through 19th, will focus on the challenges that the partnerships have addressed, including: involvement of several sectors, action at varying scales, from local to global, a combination of public and private financing, and a complex set of science questions.
A multidisciplinary committee of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) will be convened, June 10th through 11th, to review and make recommendations regarding appropriate nutrition standards for the availability, sale, content, and consumption of foods and beverages at school, with attention given to foods and beverages offered in competition with federally- reimbursable meals and snacks.
The National Academies is pleased to present Distinctive Voices@The Jonsson Center, a new series of public events to be held in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, at the Academies' Jonsson Center. The programs feature award-winning scientists and engineers talking about recent developments in their fields -- nanomedicine, implanted medical devices, global cooperation, nutrition, caves on Earth and beyond, and discoveries which may lead to new antibiotic therapies.
Back to topThe Institute of Medicine will convene a consensus committee on July 7, 2008 to examine the case for why multiple elements of American society should invest in global health, what areas need the most attention, and how best to accomplish the ultimate objective.
Back to topThe federal government issued "Disease Prevention through Vaccine Development and Immunization, The US National Vaccine Plan" in 1994. The Institute of Medicine will convene an ad hoc committee to evaluate the 1994 National Vaccine Plan and then review and make recommendations regarding an update of this National Vaccine Plan. The committee will hold workshops with national expert stakeholders in medicine, public health, and vaccinology to review a publicly available, draft update of the Plan. The second meeting will be held July 24-25, 2008. The committee will prepare a letter report of the evaluation of the 1994 Plan, and a report with conclusions and recommendations about priority actions within the major components of the draft Plan.
This workshop (the fourth in a series of eight) is designed to provide state and local election officials with an opportunity for interactive dialogue, regarding current implementation and future directions for HAVA-mandated state-wide voter registration databases, with the National Academies’ Committee on State Voter Registration Databases. The sessions will focus on current and future policy issues and technical implementation decisions regarding interstate voter registration data sharing and data matching efforts.The workshop will take place on Wednesday, July 30th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kansas City, MO.For more information, please contact Morgan Motto at mmotto@nas.edu
Back to topThis study will critically evaluate the current and projected state of development of energy supply, storage, and end use technologies. The study will not make policy recommendations, but it will analyze where appropriate the role of public policy in determining the demand and cost for energy and the configuration of the nation’s energy systems. The committee will develop a “reference scenario” that reflects a projection of current economic, technology cost and performance, and policy parameters into the future. The next open meeting will take place at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center in Irvine, CA from September 18-19. Please contact LaNita Jones at ljones@nas.edu or by calling 202-334-3344 if you would like to attend the public sessions.
Back to topThe NAE Center for Engineering, Ethics, and Society will convene a workshop on October 2-3, 2008, in Washington, D.C. The workshop will explore 1) engineering and special vulnerabilities that may arise from conflicts, crises, or lack of development; 2) the interface of engineering, ethics, and practice; and 3) implications for engineering education. The workshop will also feature discussions on early career perspectives, how engineering might better address complex choices and cultural conflicts, and potential action items. The full program and registration information for this free, public event are available online.
Back to topAssessments of the quality and efficiency of the nation’s healthcare delivery system find its performance far too often inconsistent, expensive, inequitable, and sometimes harmful--certainly delivering overall value far below what should be expected. The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Roundtable on Evidence-Based Medicine is sponsoring a series of workshops to explore issues, strategies and opportunities for the development of a learning healthcare system—one structured to ensure that each patient receives the right care at the right time. The 7th public meeting will take place from July 30-31 at the National Academy of Sciences building in Washington, DC.
Back to topTo be held September 9 and 10, 2008 in Washington, D.C., this is the first meeting of the committee that will provide updated estimates of the cost and potential efficiency improvements of technologies that might be employed over the next 15 years to increase the fuel economy of various light-duty vehicle classes.
Back to topThis symposium, to be held September 25, 2008 in Washington, D.C., will address the relationship between geosciences and public health and why an understanding of this interaction is important. It is part of the Board on International Scientific Organization’s celebration of the International Year of Planet Earth, which was declared by the United Nations to be 2008. The symposium will include talks on how water, air, soil, and climate change are interconnected with public health concerns, as well as focus on related policy issues.
Back to topApproximately one third of the world’s population now lives in areas with scarce freshwater resources. The lack of access to and availability of clean water and sanitation has had devastating effects on many aspects of daily life. The IOM will host a two-day public workshop on “Global Issues in Water, Sanitation, and Health,” on September 23 and 24, 2008, in Washington, DC. This workshop will explore such issues as: classification and surveillance of water-related microbial diseases; metrics for measuring water quality; relationships between human change, ecology and disease; models of disease emergence and transmission; and, interventions to improve water access and sanitation; and impact assessments.
Back to topThe Committee on Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine (CWSEM) of the National Academies is hosting a workshop on sustaining women through critical transition points in science, engineering, and medicine. The workshop will take place at the Keck Center of the National Academies in Washington, DC on September 18 and 19, 2008. It will include panel discussions on crucial transition points in academic careers, proven strategies for helping women transition in industry, and how the changing nature of science, engineering, and medicine—specifically the growth in interdisciplinary fields—impacts career progression now and in the future.
Back to topThe Marian Koshland Science Museum’s fall program will begin in Sept. and feature a lecture on antibiotics and resistant germs, a science-inspired scavenger hunt, and a competition celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship.
Back to topThe fall lecture series of Distinctive Voices@The Beckman Center will began on Sept. 10. The programs feature award-winning scientists and engineers discussing recent findings and research developments in their fields. Topics include ancient Maya, impact of earthquakes in southern California, future of the Internet, science comedy, and wildlife and ecology.
Back to topThe TRB 88th Annual Meeting, January 11-15, 2009, will include more than 60 sessions and workshops that address the meeting's spotlight theme of Transportation, Energy, and Climate Change. The twin issues of energy and climate change are among the most significant public policy issues facing the transportation profession today and in the coming decades. To address these challenges, it is critical to develop and share knowledge and experiences on ways to mitigate the adverse impacts of transportation on energy resources and the climate--and to adapt transportation to the new realities.
Back to topTRB is cosponsoring a conference on Gulf Coast Hurricane Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Rebuilding on November 11-14, 2008, in Mobile, Alabama. The conference will explore ecosystem resiliency, ports and navigation, community resiliency, watershed-wide flood hazard master planning, and emergency preparedness and response. Tours during the conference will examine the latest innovations being undertaken at the Port of Mobile and ongoing recovery of the Mississippi Gulf Coast from Hurricane Katrina.
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