Meet Robert Rivers, PhD, Chemist

Today we're introducing you to Robert Rivers, PhD, an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow.

NV: What do you do?

Robert: I work as American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science and Technology Policy Fellow. On a day-to-day basis I work as program manager and communication liaison.

NV: How did you get started in outreach?

Robert: I started in outreach as graduate student at the University of Cambridge. Always cognizant of the divide between individuals who study in the natural sciences compared to social science, I wanted to be active in discussion that would help to build constructive dialogues of conversation. In such a capacity, I presented talks to general audiences explaining my PhD thesis research. This continued as I worked as a volunteer in Peru where I gave more science themed outreach talks to community groups in several cities.

NV: How much time do you spend doing outreach on average?

Robert: In general the average amount of time I spend on outreach is about 2 to 3 hours on a monthly basis. This encompasses development of lay-friendly material regarding the research and outputs of my office and occasional talks to high school and college audiences about science in general.

NV: What motivates you to do advocacy/outreach?

Robert: I am motivated to work in the area of science outreach and occasionally advocacy (pushing for changes in policy or legislation to scientific insights) to help inform individuals in order to make better decisions.

NV: Do you think outreach and advocacy is a responsibility of scientists? Should it be required?

Robert: I think outreach is extremely important in helping to convey complex ideas to the general public and it is responsibility of the scientific community.


Learn more about Robert's work in Peru, and thanks to him for taking the time to talk with us by phone so we could learn more about his outreach work and career.


This is part of the ongoing Profiling New Voices series.

Tuneage Tuesday Begins

Today begins a new series for New Voices: Tuneage Tuesdays! Each and every Tuesday, we’ll be sharing an audio or video clip on science, communication, advocacy, research or any other topics we like and want to share.

To start us off, check out this video of “Science is Real” by They Might Be Giants.



Send your thoughts on what we should play on Tuneage Tuesdays to hbenson at researchamerica.org or leave a comment.

Democracy Poll

Image source: Dictionary.com

It's a government by the people. How are you contributing?

What have you done to contribute to democracy this year?
	Voted
	Paid taxes
	Participated in a community meeting
	Talked to decision makers about policy
	Donated time or money to a campaign
	Prevented imminent societal anarchy
	Tried to influence public opinion
	Run for office
pollcode.com free polls

Stand Up to Cancer

I am going to remain in my comfort zone for my very first New Voices blog post. I figure my background in cancer research qualifies me to discuss the topic of…cancer research. In honor of Stand Up to Cancer Day, I will highlight some of the important work being done by a group searching for a cure to cancer. Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) is a charitable organization dedicated to accelerating groundbreaking cancer research.

At 8pm this evening, SU2C will host a live broadcast to raise awareness and money for cancer research. I know that sounds about as fun as hearing your uncle’s “why did the chicken cross the road?” joke for the 13th time--especially on a Friday night. But, it promises to be entertaining and informative (if only school could combine the two!). Many actors, comedians, and musicians will take the stage as well as scientists and advocates.

One featured group, 46 Mommas, is an amazing group of 46 women who represent the 46 children who are diagnosed with cancer every day. They are hoping to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research, and they even shaved their heads to raise awareness for the cause!

In 2008, SU2C hosted a hugely successful live broadcast that was aired across the country, featuring celebrities who believe in the cause. It raised much-needed awareness and brought in over $100 million for cancer research, which I find pretty exciting (the rest of you can enjoy watching these ladies stand up).



With this money, SU2C is trying to change the way research is done. They are promoting cutting-edge research done by young scientists that might not be funded by other means, which is a huge deal for these young scientists! SU2C has funded thirteen “Innovative Research Grants”. These projects are risky--they may not work. But if they do work, they promise to be a breakthrough in cancer therapy.

One project looks at the role a particular protein, BCL6, plays in leukemia development, particularly in leukemia stem cells. The stem cells initiate the cancer, but are particularly difficult to kill using chemotherapy. Even worse, they can cause the disease to come back once the drugs are stopped. This is why many researchers are studying how to kill the leukemia stem cells.

In addition to innovation, SU2C is encouraging more cooperation among scientists. They funded five “Dream Team Grants”, where each project is tackled in labs across the country.

One such grant involves researchers from New York to Texas who are trying to identify targeted therapies for women with cancer. A targeted therapy is one that is directed to cells with a particular marker or mutation. You may have heard of a common targeted therapy called Gleevec, which kills cells with the BCR-Abl mutation in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Well, the Dream Team scientists have found that mutations in a gene called PI3K are found in breast and ovarian cancer. They are trying to use drugs that specifically block PI3K to kill the cancer cells. Targeted therapies like these will mean doctors can give each patient the best drug based on the markers in their particular cancer with less side effects than standard chemotherapy.

There is so much great work being accomplished in areas at the forefront of cancer research because of SU2C. I can’t do all of these brilliant researchers justice. You can read more on the SU2C website or tune in to the show to hear from the scientists themselves.

There is still much knowledge to be gained and many brilliant researchers looking for a cure. Funding will give them, and us, a chance.

Welcome Kate to New Voices

New Voices is excited to announce that we have a new regular blogger joining us!

Name: Kate Greenberg, PhD
Position: Research!America Science Policy Fellow
Education: PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Oncology
BS in Biology, The Ohio State University
Previous experience: Kate did graduate research at JHU studying cancer genetics and identifying mutations that cause leukemia.
Fun fact: Kate loves to hike and helps the Leukemia and Lymphoma Team in Training for hiking. Most Saturdays you can find her on a trail somewhere in Maryland or Virginia.

Look for her first post tomorrow!

Meet Lisan Parker, PhD, Scientific Liaison

Today we're profiling Lisan Parker, PhD, who works as a Scientific Liaison.

NV: What do you do?

Lisan: My most current role has been Scientific Liaison between the Global Alliance for Tuberculosis Drug Development (TB alliance) and the WHO Stop TB Partnership Working Group on New Drugs. I serve as secretariat for the Working Group on New Drugs. I help with our mission… my goal is to increase collaboration & networking between industry, academia, and government, and at the same time to increase TB drug research and development (R&D) awareness by tracking and TB R&D.

This is different for me because I have a background in neuroscience. However, entering into global health has been an exciting and great experience. I’ve learned a lot, in terms of what are the needs and advocacy plays a big role in that.

NV: How did you get started in outreach/advocacy?

Lisan: I started doing outreach when I was in graduate school. I realized that there was and is a lack of understanding or appreciation in the general community of what scientists do and there is a lack of scientists trying to explain to the general community and gain that understanding.

In Tennessee I worked with other graduate and medical students to provide the HIV education component to the school curriculum in Nashville junior high and high schools. It was a lot of fun and a good learning experience. It was an opportunity for us to be involved in the community and show kids what they can be and at same time give them information on their health and help them learn.

When I was a post doctorate I was involved in an outreach mentoring program with Rhodes College and St. Judes Children’s Hospital. That was a science based outreach program and its goal was to increase science learning and science excellence, particular for minority students.

When I went into industry, apart from my regular duties, I became co-director for our community outreach program. We partnered with Citizen Schools in Boston. My work colleagues and I created a science discovery class for junior high students called CSI (Citizen Schools Investigators) that taught them how to use science to solve a crime. Our goal was to help young students realize science is understandable, approachable, and that they can do it. And also to provide scientists an opportunity to get out of the lab and make an impact in the community.

NV: What motivates you to do advocacy?

Lisan: Wanting the general public to understand why they should care. Why what we do is important and how it affects them. The reverse is also important. Scientists need to understand what the public needs and how to communicate that.

NV: How much time do you spend doing outreach and advocacy?

Lisan: As Secretariat, I do more advocacy utilizing our new TB drugs website, in January of this year when I started, my predecessor had laid ground work for a blog to be used to increase scientific discussion for TB R&D. The mission is to bring everyone to the table. We hoped to increase/jumpstart that communication. We post to the website twice a week and I go out and send emails to people or contact scientists to do face to face interviews and we intend to also provide future podcasts through our website. There are lots of different ways to collect the message of why we need TB drugs and the impact of current regiments and we attempt to capture that on our blog. We also use other social media outlets such as linked-in and a Facebook causes page to spread our message and increase awareness of TB.


Thank you to Lisan for giving us her time via phone so we could learn more about her and her career.

This is part of the ongoing Profiling New Voices series.

Subatomic Particle Dating

Comic credit: Toothpaste for Dinner

Labor Day Weekend Round-Up

The New Voices team and I are heading out early today and won't be back until Tuesday morning. We strongly advocate for you getting outside and enjoying some time off too, but with Earl on the way, that may not be possible for everyone. So to keep you busy indoors, we've got a round-up of opportunities and news.

If you're in the DC metro area, save September 23 for a Women in Science congressional briefing, moderated by New Voice Sheril Kirschenbaum.

Early career scientists who do outreach could now win an award for public engagement from the AAAS. Nominations are due October 15.

The American Medical Association Foundation is accepting applications for its Seed Grant Research Program until December 6, 2010. See www.amafoundation.org/go/seedgrants.

Just for fun, let your love of college football (my team, the Gamecocks, kicked off the season last night) and research combine in this great look at the Top 25 teams' research programs.

For more news, updates, opportunities, and links, follow us on Twitter @NV4Research.

Telling the stories of those on the front lines

While completing my independent project this summer here at Research!America, I've had the opportunity to speak to amazing scientists who take time of out their very busy schedules to do advocacy and outreach to further the goals of all scientists. They excite the public, both young and old, about science and even contact politicians and work to convince them to make their decisions based on the proper science behind an issue.

Each Wednesday (as you may have noticed), you will get to read excerpts from the interviews I did with all of these scientists, to learn from their experiences, read more about their work and career.

The scientists I spoke with are from all different stages of their careers, from graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, to new lab heads, and all the way up to seasoned scientists who've had their own labs for awhile.

Hopefully these stories will serve to inspire both scientists and the general public alike to become more involved in science policy and the promotion of health research and it's importance to our country.

Meet Michael Barresi, PhD, Developmental Biologist

Today we're introducing you to Michael Barresi, PhD, who heads a developmental biology lab at Smith College.

NV: What do you do?

Michael: I am a biologist and assistant professor at Smith College in Northampton, MA.

NV: How did you get started in outreach/advocacy?

Michael: I am inherently interested in learning and determining the most effective ways to help others learn. Advocacy for others not directly related to my job performance was spurred by an interest in improving the educational environment for my own children and, in doing so, other children of all ages.

NV: What motivates you to do advocacy?

Michael: Pure self-interest in learning and teaching, and hopefully helping my own kids along the way. I also feel in the sciences that in order to truly make an impact on student engagement with science it has to happen at the primary and secondary education level. Come college, most students have already made up their minds. Students need to be excited about science early. Therefore if I am to have any part in that transformation, it has to be through outreach and science advocacy.

NV: In what ways does your outreach affect those you receive it?

Michael: Hopefully makes them more interested and curious about science. Hopefully gets students to start questioning the world around them. And in some cases gain hands-on experience using modern laboratory equipment to apply the scientific method to solve problems in biology.

NV: Do you think outreach and advocacy is a responsibility of all scientists? Should it be required?

Michael: No. Most scientists are trained to carry out technical experiments and further the pursuit of knowledge using the scientific method. However, few to none have actually been trained to do outreach, or even teach for that matter. So there are many ill-prepared scientists that really have no business providing outreach. That being said I also feel scientists are ironically the most prepared to excite children and the public in the importance of science investigation. There are also a lot of misconceptions of scientists out there that only scientists can begin to break down. This will be critical to help students, particularly underrepresented minorities, begin to feel careers in science are actually possible. So in a way scientists do have a responsibility, but unfortunately all scientists are not necessarily prepared to provide such advocacy and outreach.

Thank you to Michael for giving us his time via email so we could learn more about him and his outreach work.

This is part of the ongoing Profiling New Voices series.