I am, I’ll admit it, a science policy wonk. I have worked in and around DC since 1988, and I have experienced first hand the impact (good and bad) of policy decisions at the legislative and agency level. I have developed a tolerance for the slow pace of the legislative process.  I’ve learned the importance of voicing the concerns of researchers to federal funding and regulatory agencies – even when it means saying the same thing over and over again. I’ve learned how to work with those inside the agencies who want to see changes happen but who are prohibited (as federal employees) from carrying the message themselves.

I know the majority of researchers don’t have the time, energy, personal interest, or stamina to follow the action in DC – in part because the pace of the “action” often resembles a baseball game being played in slow motion and underwater. That’s why people like me, and groups like the Coalition for the Life Sciences (CLS), the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), Research!America, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, and the National Association for Biomedical Research  are here to keep an eye on developments and let you know when action is needed and advisable. (GSA is currently a member of the CLS, AIBS, and Research!America.)

Now you are, of course, entitled to your own opinion on all of the issues that we address. There may be times when GSA or the CLS will ask you to take an action with which you disagree, or that you think is irrelevant to what GSA members do. You always have the choice to ignore those requests with which you disagree. And more important, you are welcome to make your view known.

In fact, your engagement is as valuable – no, more valuable – than your agreement. Your engagement in discussions and debates on science policy is needed if we are to serve you, our members, and the wider genetics community well. The decisions made in Washington (and Bethesda, and Arlington) affect both the current state of genetics research in the US and its future directions.

For information on how to join the Congressional Liaison Committee, go to the CLS website www.coalitionforlifesciences.org and click on “Be an Advocate.” Keep an eye on the GSA website and this blog for more ways to be engaged.

Sherry

With apologies to Harry Potter:  If  you had a magic wand and could make GSA do one thing for you as a member, what would it be?.

Sherry

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff,  I  congratulate GSA member Harmit Malik for receiving one of this year’s Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. The Presidential Early Career Awards, announced by the White House today,  are the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on young professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

More information is available at

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/PRESIDENT-HONORS-OUTSTANDING-EARLY-CAREER-SCIENTISTS/

The Board of Directors and staff of Genetics Society of America congratulate Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., on the recent announcement that President Barack Obama will nominate him to be Director of the National Institutes of Health.  Dr. Collins has had a distinguished career in science and in public service. During his tenure as Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, he led the NIH effort to sequence the human genome, and greatly contributed to the emergence of genomics, bioinformatics, and several related areas of research. As the science of genetics moved into the era of genome sequences and the proliferation of  “-omics,” the NHGRI and Dr. Collins led efforts to address the societal impact and ethical implications of genetics research. His achievements in research, medicine, and science policy point to a successful tenure as NIH Director, and the GSA wish him every success.

Read the announcement at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Announces-Intent-to-Nominate-Francis-Collins-as-NIH-Director/