In the Spotlight

Geothermal Energy: A Vision for the Western Hemisphere
December 19, 2008, 11:00 am to 12 noon 
By Dr. Bruce Averill, Jefferson Science Fellow, 2004-05; Former Professor of Chemistry, Universities of Virginia and Amsterdam; Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism US Department of State. This talk is part of the Jefferson Science Fellows Distinguished Lecture Series on Current Issues in Science and Technology.

Science, Engineering and Economic Growth in Africa: Development Cooperation Challenges and Opportunities
Public Lecture and Discussion
January 9, 2008, 9:00 to 10:30am
The lecture will explore the role that emerging technologies can play in fostering economic growth and improving human welfare in Africa. It will re-examine opportunities for development cooperation in light of the current global food and financial and crises. It will draw on experiences on the linkages between economic growth and technological innovation in fields such as agriculture, health, energy, education and environmental management.  For more information contact Effie Bentsi-Adoteye.

Graduate Student Forum on Science and Technology Policy
The National Academies will host a Forum for Graduate Students in Science, Technology, and Health Policy on Jan. 5-6, 2009. All the top graduate policy programs across the country were invited to choose five students to attend the Forum. Representatives of Congress, federal agencies, advocacy groups, consulting firms, think tanks, and professional societies will meet with the students to discuss career opportunities. Several panels will discuss policy questions related to energy, genetics, and innovation. Scheduled speakers include Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, Council on Competitiveness president Deborah Wince-Smith, and members of the Obama transition team.

Certification of Sustainable Products and Services: A Workshop
January 18, 2009 - January 22, 2009
Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center, Irvine, California
This weeklong public workshop is aimed at understanding the situation of those making key decisions to purchase and produce certified goods and services, and to clarify the scope and limitations of the scientific knowledge that might contribute to the economic success of certified products.

The Network for Emerging Leaders in Sustainability (NELS), November Event
The Network for Emerging Leaders in Sustainability (NELS) is a new organization for early-career professionals (and professionals who are new to the topic of sustainability) who are interested in building bridges with peers in DC-area agencies and organizations. NELS will be meeting on December 10, 2008.

Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program is now accepting application material for the 2009 Fall/September session
The deadline for receipt of application materials has been REVISED to May 1st.

February 2009 Symposium to Highlight Biodiversity Policy
The National Academy of Sciences and the USNC/DIVERSITAS will convene a symposium on the Science and Policy for Managing the Living World Two Centuries after the birth of Charles Darwin on February 11-12, 2009.  The symposium, entitled “Twenty-First Century Ecosystems: Systemic Risk and the Public Good,” will focus attention on opportunities for designing policies that strengthen and make use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as the dangers of pursuing policies that put ecosystems at risk.

English - Chinese/Chinese - English Nuclear Security Online Glossary
With substantial and growing international efforts in nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, counter-proliferation and the prevention of nuclear terrorism, and with the expansion of the use of nuclear power and the role of international inspections, it is important that participants whose respective native languages are Chinese and English agree on the meanings given to relevant terms in the two languages.  This glossary of approximately 1000 terms is intended to reduce the likelihood of misunderstanding, and to remove barriers to progress in exchanges and diplomatic, cooperative, or other activities where unambiguous understanding is essential.

The Changing Face of Science at the National Academies (PDF, 2.13MB)
The Changing Face of Science is a publication that celebrates people of diverse backgrounds who have contributed to the work of the National Academies, including Ford Foundation Diversity Fellows.  Hard copies may be requested via mpetroch@nas.edu.

2009 Young Observer Program: Travel Awards to Glasgow, UK
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry will hold its 45th General Assembly and 42nd Congress in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, in August 2009. Travel grants are being provided to outstanding U.S. scientists and engineers as part of the 2009 Young Observer Program.

The 2nd International Forum on Biosecurity: Summary of an International Meeting, Budapest, Hungary, March 30 to April 2, 2008
Forthcoming Report

The Lost Crops of Africa: Fruits Podcast Available!
You can listen to this and other podcasts at http://media.nap.edu/podcasts/ or on iTUNES at http://media.nap.edu/podcasts/