A Note from the Managing Editor

Vicki Basham

It's a new year, a new decade, a new century and a new millennium, all wrapped into one. It's also a nice time to be starting off as your new newsletter Managing Editor. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask that you let me know what you would like to see in our newsletter. Any changes you might want to see? Keep it as it is? Please take a minute and see if you can think of any ways to improve the newsletter. Then drop me a line and let me know how I can best serve you as your new Managing Editor. I can be reached at vicki@emeraldegg.com or at (831) 663-1973.

I would also like to thank Katy Kuo Korsemeyer, your previous Managing Editor, for being extemely helpful in making the transition as painless as possible.

By the way, Lisa Wang, our chapter president was out of the country during the production of this issue, but she'll be back with "Notes from the Prez" for the next issue.

And now, I thought I would share some of my favorite quotes to help carry us all into the new year. Enjoy!

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"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." -Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

"Most of us ask for advice when we know the answer but we want a different one." -Ivern Ball

"Man's mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions." -Oliver Wendell Holmes

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." -Alice Walker (1944-)

"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure."

-Mark Twain (1835-1910)

Feed the Hungry with Just a Click

The Hunger Site, http://www.thehungersite.com, at the U.N. is a really great website. All you do is go to the site and click a button and somewhere in the world some hungry person gets a meal to eat at no cost to you. The food is paid for by corporate sponsors. But, you're only allowed one click per day, so incorporate this into your daily routine and spread the word for others to do the same.

Here, there is such a thing as a free lunch!

Web Site Update

Michelle Boytim, Co-Webmistress

Web site usage has greatly increased since we switched to our permanent home at www.pa-awis.org.

Different pages viewed and the number of different viewers have increased three-fold since June. The top ten pages viewed for November were Jobs, activities, events, career, mentor sign-up form, to join AWIS, mentoring events, why join AWIS, board members, and the Sept./Oct. newsletter. We have added a new section on Women's issues and an online address directory form with a link to National's membership renewal page.

We would love to hear from you with your suggestions or contributions to the website. Have you come across an interesting web page or article? Do you have a job posting for your company or an event that might interest our members? Send it to the webteam at pa_webteam@yahoo.com and we will post it so that all of our members can appreciate it!

CONTENTS

Managing Editor Note; Web Site Update.............................. 1

Check This Out..................................................................... 2

NCC-AWIS Exceptional Service Awards............................. 3

November and December Meeting Reviews....................... 4

Call for Recognition Award Nominations.............................. 4

January Program Flyer......................................................... 5

NCC February Workshop Flyer........................................... 6

Calendar of Events............................................................... 7

Board Information; Mailing Page........................................... 8

v Check This Out v

IWITTS's New Home Base

v IWITTS's home base will become Alameda, California just North of Oakland as of December 15, 1999. IWITTS will continue to work nationally and the organization's mission and goals will remain unchanged. IWITTS will also work locally in the new home state of California as the organization did in Washington, DC.

New contact information is:

IWITTS

1150 Ballena Blvd, Suite 102

Alameda, CA 94501-3682

(510) 749-0200 phone

(510) 749-0500 fax

E-mail remains: iwitts@aol.com

Web site remains: www.iwitts.com

IWITTS's Women Working Technical (WomenTech) Project was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to start on December 1, 1999. This is a three-year Project that is funded at $625,000 over three years. The goals of the WomenTech Project are to increase the number of women enrolled and retained in Science, Math, Engineering and Technology (SMET) education in three community college demonstration sites. Other goals are to disseminate nationally the Project's successful strategies and best practices.

The three community college demonstration sites are Community College of Rhode Island, North Harris Seattle Montgomery Community College in Houston, Texas and Northern Seattle Community College.

Detailed information about the WomenTech Project can be found on our Web site at www.iwitts.com.

You can also contact Donna Milgram, Executive Director, Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science at iwitts@aol.com

New Resume/CV Database

Science Professional Network is proud to announce the launch of it's new Resume/CV Database. This database is dedicated to scientists working in the life sciences and chemistry fields. Connect with employers from around the world when you post your resume.

Visit us today at www2.sciencecareers.org where top talent and employers meet!

Calling All Training Grant Directors

The Society for Women's Health Research is seeking outstanding graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and junior faculty who would be interested in attending the Society for Women's Health Research's upcoming Conference on Sex and Gene Expression (SAGE). First in a series of conferences on the biology of sex differences, the SAGE conference will include discussion of cutting-edge research on genetic imprinting, parent of origin effects, steroid hormones and gene expression, and sex differences in cell biology. The conference will be held at the Graylyn Conference Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on March 2-5. With the size of the conference limited to 75 participants, and our excellent line-up of speakers and moderators, new investigators will be able to interact easily with some of the top scientists in the aforementioned fields.

The SAGE conference is supported by an educational grant from Hoescht Marion Roussel. In addition, we have received a grant from the Packard Foundation allowing us to reimburse up to $500 in travel costs for each new investigator.

If you are interested in attending this conference, please contact:

Regina Vidaver, Ph.D.,

Scientific Programs Manager

Society for Women's Health Research

1828 L St. NW Suite 625

Washington, DC 20036

(202)223-8224

fax: (202)833-3472

regina@womens-health.org

www.womens-health.org

Founded in 1990, the Society for Women's Health Research is the only national advocacy organization with the sole mission of improving the health of women through research.

The Teaching Registry

v Interested in part-time teaching at a Bay Area community college? Community college biotechnology programs regularly need instructors who are also working in the biotechnology industry. If you have a Master's degree or higher in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related area and would like to share your knowledge and training with college students, consider teaching at a local community college as a

- guest speaker

- technical expert

- seminar participant

- course instructor

-Step One: Visit http://biotech.org

-Step Two: Click on Teaching Registry

-Step Three: Complete the teaching interest form

The Teaching Registry is a service of the Northern California Biotechnology Center, an Ed>Net Project at City College of San Francisco. For more information contact Marlene Walker (415) 239-3500 or ncbc@ccsf.cc.ca.us.

Please let the Editor know about any exciting new developments that you’d like to share.

NCC - AWIS

Exceptional Service Awards

Mary Alice Yund

The Northern California Chapters of AWIS are exceptional in many ways. There are four active chapters spanning a broad geographic region and encompassing academia and industry. We have chapter meeting programs, newsletters, mentoring, programs and activities working with girls, career conferences and workshops, scholarships and recognition awards - all designed to encourage and support women and girls in pursuing interests and careers in science.

Creating and sustaining all these activities has taken effort and energy volunteered by many women in science. Some have made exceptional efforts, over time, to create and sustain both these programs and the membership base and organizational strength in individual chapters that make our continuing activity possible.

NCC-AWIS is establishing an AWIS Exceptional Service Award to recognize and make tangible our thanks and appreciation of exceptional contributions to the NCC-AWIS. The initial awards are to twelve women who made the difference in founding our chapters and major programs, but are no longer serving as chapter officers. (Read about these women in the following article.) In conjunction with creating these awards, we are expanding the information on chapter history and programs on our web sites. Such personal histories and case studies on building organizations and managing projects are one of the ways we can learn from each other.

We are hosting an inaugural reception, Sunday, January 23, 6-7:30 pm at Takara Sake USA in Berkeley, to celebrate what AWIS has accomplished and to meet or renew acquaintance with some of the women who have made it possible.

Join us for conversation, introductions and presentations, sake tasting and refreshments. To allow us to make appropriate arrangements with the caterer, please email or call if you plan to attend. (510) 525-1715 yund@worldnet.att.net

Location: 708 Addison St. Berkeley, at the University Avenue exit of I-80 between the Bay Bridge and the I-80/I-580 split in Albany near Golden Gate Fields.

Directions: Take University Ave exit from I-80 in Berkeley, east, away from the bay, and proceed over the railroad overcrossing to the first street (stoplight) Sixth Street. The building, identified by signs, is visible on the right from the overcrossing. Turn right on Sixth Street and right again at the first street, Addison. The entrance is on Addison street in the front of the building in the third block. Park in the gated lot located at the rear of the building, accessed by turning left at the stop sign at Fourth and Addison. Your parking ticket will be validated at the party. Do not park in the lot across the street from the main entrance as it belongs to the restaurant located there.

Exceptional Service Award Recipients

This award is established to recognize women who have given extraordinary service to Northern California AWIS chapters. They stand out from our typical hard working volunteers in having served in different capacities over several years. They made AWIS a personal priority when it counted. They put in the time and did what was needed to keep AWIS going and establish our major activities. We wish to celebrate the establishment of this award by our active and successful AWIS chapters by honoring these deserving women who are no longer active members of our boards.

Rivka Sherman-Gold

-Founder and first president of Palo Alto Chapter

Beth Hutchins

-Palo Alto Chapter President, Mentoring Program

Martha Murari

-Palo Alto Chapter President, Mentoring Program, NCC-AWIS Founder, Recognition Awards

Sherrie Wilkins

-Palo Alto Chapter President, Mentoring Program, NCC-AWIS Founder, Recognitions Awards, Organizing Committee first two career conferences, February Workshop Founder

Reyna Simon

-Founder east bay chapter

Cathie Magowan

-Founder east bay chapter, Scholarship Program Founder

Mary Ann Wormsted

-Founder east bay chapter, NCC-AWIS Founder

Renee Willard

-Founder San Francisco Chapter

Shauna Farr-Jones

-Founder San Francisco Chapter, NCC-AWIS Founder

Tina Settineri

-Founder San Francisco Chapter, NCC- AWIS Founder

Leslie Sunell

-Founder and first President of Sacramento Valley Chapter, NCC-AWIS Founder, Organizing Committee for second career conference

Beverly Blatt

-Organizing Committee for first two career conferences, NCC-AWIS Founder, Corporate Fund Raising Founder

Science & Policy of EMF

Gail Banerjee, Programs

Dr. Leeka Kheifets presented her thought-provoking talk “EMF and Health: Science and Policy” at the December 9 AWIS meeting. Dr. Kheifets, a clinical faculty member at Stanford University School of Medicine and Technical Executive and EMF Area Manager at EPRI, began by summarizing the scientific evidence on the possible health effects of electric and magnetic fields (EMF). She went on to discuss media coverage of research results and development of public policy under conditions of scientific uncertainty, as illustrated by the EMF issue.

To date, there is limited epidemiologic evidence that exposure to EMF may be linked with a small risk of leukemia in children and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in occupationally exposed adults. Cellular studies on EMF effects have been inconsistent and hard to replicate; animal studies have been largely negative. Emerging areas of research include breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neuro-degenerative disease. The NIEHS, in its June 1999 report to Congress, recommended further research in these areas, as well as consideration of inexpensive reductions in EMF exposure. The question of health effects from EMF thus remains uncertain. Dr. Kheifets concluded that the only sensible solution is high-quality, focused research.

Career Advice

Vicki Basham, Managing Editor

"Take risks!"

That seemed to be the overriding advice from the three panelists who spoke at the AWIS meeting November 8. The topic was about career choices, and Mignon Fogarty, M.S., Elizabeth A. Howard, Ph.D. and Killu Tougu, Ph.D. all had excellent stories to share with the audience.

Mignon Fogarty, M.S. is the Editorial Director for CaregiverZone, a web site filled with a multitude of articles related to health and caregiving. Earlier in her career, she had contracting work as a writer, and even took a marketing position at a start-up company, when she had no marketing experience. She definitely advises that a person expand on skills, and she advises writers to send out article queries to as many magazines and web sites as possible. "There are tons of sites right now!" she says.

Elizabeth Howard is an Attorney at Law with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. She earned her Ph.D. in science, but she told the audience that shortly after finishing her schooling, she said to herself, "'Is that all there is?' I then realized that I really like to argue!" She went into law, in particular, litigation in science-related cases, and has been very happy ever since. She advises, "Don't let yourself get pigeon-holed. My thesis had absolutely nothing to do with what I'm doing today."

Killu Tougu is Vice President of Business Development at Phenogenex, and also has a science-related Ph.D. She spent quite a few years denying that she could ever be interested in sales, where she did indeed spend many of her career years, but she had asked herself, "What do I want in my work?" She said, "You must ask yourself what motivates you. Think about what it is that you want to do, and how to get there. And take risks!"

Dr. Tougu believes this is a very good time for sales in biotech, or "lifetech" as she calls the industry. She also calls a career in sales "a license to learn," because a salesperson is able to visit so many different companies and hear what they're doing.

A Call for Nominations!

It's time for the first call for recognition award nominations. The NCC-AWIS Annual Recognition Awards will be presented in April. So who has helped you or women you know to become a science professional?

Each year NCC-AWIS presents awards to women who have combined pursuing their own careers with support of other women in science. Training and education in science is not enough. We each need to find our individual ways of using our science and developing a professional life and career. In honoring individual women, AWIS recognizes the importance of mentoring and of teaching and sharing with others more than just the content and techniques or our science.

Two awards go to women working in research or technological advancements in academia or industry: one to a woman established in her field, one to a woman early in her career. A third award, being inaugurated this year, is for women who are using their science away from the bench.

To nominate a woman who merits recognition, send a letter of nomination explaining how the nominee meets the criteria for the award and a brief resume or CV giving the nominee's educational background, current position/career, and notable achievements in service to women in science. A full resume or CV and bibliography is not necessary. The scientific and career achievements are usually readily discernable. Assisting other women in professional growth and career development is harder for those not directly involved to see.

Send nominations by February 15 to Mary Alice Yund, 723 Woodhaven Road, Berkeley, CA 94708. Questions? Contact Mary Alice at (510) 525-1715 or yund@worldnet.att.net.

Association for Women In Science (AWIS), Palo Alto

“Science in the New Millennium”

Dr. Jaleh Daie, Director of Science Programs

Packard Foundation

Our Featured Speaker will be Dr Jaleh Daie, Director of the Science Programs at the Packard Foundation. A plant biologist by training, she was professor at University of Wisconsin before joining the Foundation. She is a past President of National AWIS, a tireless advocate of science education and a founder of WiSTA (Women in Science and Technology).

· Come learn which research areas will be top priorities in the next decade

· What areas of research are currently being funded by the Packard Foundation

· What is it like to work for a Non-Profit organization – and more!

* * * * * * * * * * *

It's also Member Appreciation Night! Come join us for raffles and gift give-away.

DATE: Wednesday, January 26th

TIME: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

LOCATION: SLAC Training Center

2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park

Schedule

7:00-7:30 pm Networking and light Supper

7:30-7:45 pm Announcements

7:45-8:45 pm Program

8:45-9:00 pm Coffee/Tea and Discussion

·Welcome!! The Meeting is free. You don’t need to be a Member to attend.·

All scientists, students, and their friends are welcome. Men too!

Directions to the TRAINING CENTER at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC):

From Hwy 280, take the Sand Hill Road exit and head EAST to Palo Alto. At the 3rd stop light, turn RIGHT into SLAC. Tell the guard at the Entrance that you are attending an AWIS meeting. Turn LEFT after the guard, and turn LEFT into the parking lot by the Training Center.

Heading South on Hwy 101, take Hwy 84/Woodside Road WEST about 5 miles to Hwy 280 South (toward San Jose), then follow the directions above.

Heading North on Hwy 101, exit at Oregon Expressway heading WEST. Follow Oregon Exp. to Hwy 280 (becomes Page Mill Rd as you cross El Camino). Travel NORTH on Hwy 280 (towards San Francisco) to Sand Hill Road exit. Follow the directions above.

Local: From Stanford Shopping Center, travel WEST about 2 miles on Sand Hill Road. Cross Alameda de las Pulgas, and proceed to the third stoplight. Turn LEFT into SLAC. Follow the directions above.