NCC Career Development Workshop a Success!
Written by Kitty De Jong (East Bay) and edited by Susan Bernhard (Palo Alto)

Participants in the NCC Career Development Workshop

Participants did several exercises in small groups, and addressed the question 'What characteristics do I notice and appreciate when a collaboration goes well?' Participants examined the role of trust in collaboration, and thought about conflict resolution and the impact of communication, and underlying values. Each small group shared key ideas – and were pleasantly surprised at parallel and converging thoughts.

More participants, taking a break!

Career development workshops are great opportunities to build professional skills that can help you work more productively. They're offered frequently; recent conferences have addressed Communication Styles, Learning Styles, and Presentation Skills. The next NCC-AWIS Workshop will be held in February 2001. Check your next newsletter for details and a reservations form. Hope you can join us then!

NCC-AWIS: Palo Alto Needs a Chapter Rep

NCC is the fundraising branch of AWIS, and the committee is composed of people from all four Bay Area chapters. Funds raised by NCC-AWIS support Mentoring Programs, Outreach Scholarships, and Workshops- such as the recent workshop on Collaborative Leadership given by Beata Lewis JD. To find out more about NCC-AWIS, visit www.ebawis.org/nccchptr.htm. If you are interested in being our chapter rep, contact Annette Lewis (lewis@entelos.com) or Mary Alice Yund (yund@worldnet.att.net)

ü Check This Out ü

Great news for our members!! The National AWIS website has been redesigned. Visit www.awis.org and check it out. The new improved web site is easy to navigate and it looks great.
The AWIS National Network extends to everyone who supports women in science. The National Office links all 60+ chapter s together. AWIS works with other groups to create a global network of supporters for women in science. The Network holds all of the information about AWIS Memberships, including our members only section and our chapters only section. For those who would like to join AWIS or renew memberships, there is a new online registration system for your convenience. The Network also holds two of our most popular regular features, the International Bulletin and the AWIS Woman in Science of the Month. Come see the AWIS network!

If you are curious about National AWIS, check out the "About AWIS" our section that answers all of your AWIS questions. The award-winning magazine has gone on-line. AWIS book reviews are also available on-line. And if you want to stay up-to-date, information about upcoming events is available.

Yahoo! Health pledged to donate $1 to the Bay Area Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for every visitor who clicked on the pink ribbon from October 15 through November 15, 2000 for up to $10,000. Two clicks from here and you will donate to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation! Go to http://health.yahoo.com/ and click on the pink ribbon today.

Science's Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment (STKE), located at http://www.stke.org, has extended its free access period until January, 2001.
Signal Transduction is one of the hottest and most cross- disciplinary areas of the life sciences and Science's STKE brings together the diverse array of research, opinion, and resources essential for cutting-edge work in this growing field. If you are interested in learning more about signal transduction, now is the time to visit the site, which tailors its information to your unique interests.
Beginning January 1, 2001, access will be by subscription only. An order form with secure credit card processing and immediate online access will be posted closer to that date. Please pass this news onto any colleagues you know who may want to take advantage of the extended free access period.

Breast Cancer Site

Early detection is the best protection against breast cancer. Mammograms can save lives. To donate free mammograms, visit the breast cancer website and click on the button displayed there: www.breastcancersite.com

The Washington Wire

AWIS National AWIS is pleased to inform you of an exciting addition to our website this month. The Washington Wire is a new page we are starting, to bring you up-to-date information on issues that may interest our members. We will provide a summary of recent events, along with links to the original information so you can find further information on topics which interest you. This site is experimental, and we would like your feedback, particularly regarding the format and topics covered. Please email pratt@awis.org with all comments. Check out the site: http://www.awis.org/wire.html

Did You Know . . .

Women Make 72% of Men's Earnings! AWIS is a member of the National Council of Women's Organizations (NCWO)which issued the report from the National Committee on Pay Equity. In 1999, Women Make 72% of Men's Earnings Despite the booming economy, low unemployment, and declining poverty rates. The wage gap between the earnings of men and women is widening. According to statistics released September 26, 2000 by the Census Bureau, year-round, full-time working women earned only 72% of the earnings of year-round, full-time working men. The Census Bureau reports that "the female-to-male earnings ratio dropped to 0.72 in 1999, significantly lower than the 1998 ratio of 0.73 and the all-time high of 0.74 in 1996." The Census Bureau attributes the drop in the ratio to the larger growth in the earnings of men (6.9% compared to 4.6%) between 1996 and 1999.

Breast Cancer Research Walk was a Great Success
Staff Correspondent

Breast cancer research is supported by the American Cancer Society, and part of that support included the fundraising walk, held in Golden Gate Park on October 22^nd. AWIS Palo Alto members Fong-Yih Bih and Susan Bernhard turned in $855 dollars contributed by more than 40 friends and co-workers, including AWIS members Michelle Boytim and Dianne Fishwild.

This year 182,800 women and 1,400 men in the United states will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 43,300 will die of the disease. The statistics are grim, but there’s hope for a cure. Thank you for supporting this good cause!

October Meeting Summary
Fong-Yi Bih, Programs Committee

In October's chapter meeting, Dr. Julie Montgomery from Incyte Genomics Inc. gave her presentation entitled, "Microarrays and Gene Expression Analysis". This trendy topic attracted a large audience, about 70 people. Unfortunately, pizza and dessert ran out fast, as we didn't expect such great attendance!
The entire talk lasted for one hour, with numerous questions and discussions during the talk. Microarrays has been applied to processing large amounts of gene expression and SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism). There are two types of microarrays platforms. One is cDNA arrays, which use 500- 5000 bp of DNA fragments. The other platform is oligonucleotide arrays, which uses short 5-100 nucleotides. To make a cost effective array, one should choose sequences from 3'-end of the gene and avoid repetitive sequences or excessive redundancy regions. For oligo preparation fabrication, which includes robotic deposition, deposited samples could be cDNA (generated from PCR amplification) or oligonucleotides. The delivery system could be by pin, pen, capillary or ink-jet.
Dr. Montgomery compared the pros and cons of all different methods in detail. The most inexpensive and popular method is the pin method, but it requires larger volumes of DNA solution than others. The probe for hybridization could be RNA labeled one color or 2-color.
The central application of microarray technology is in functional genomics, such as expression monitoring, mutation analysis, polymorphism analysis, mapping, and evolutionary studies. A broad application of microarrays has been extended to human disease on gene expression pattern changes, drug compound identification, and optimization of drug effect and toxicity.

A Big "Thank You"
Staff Correspondent

- To Kay Brown, who has changed hats after more than three years on the Board as Membership Chair. Kay is now co-chair of Mentoring along with Susan Bernhard. Lalitha Subramanian will continue on as Chair of Membership.

- To Danielle Pasqualone, who was NCC Rep for the Palo Alto Chapter, and has boldly started a degree program at Hastings Law School.

- To Adrienne Yang, who volunteered for more than 4 years on Programs and as Chapter Treasurer. Adrienne has stepped down from the Board and now is focusing on her career development.

- To Lisa Wang, who volunteered for more than 4 years on Mentoring, was Chair of Mentoring and then was Chapter President. Lisa is now focusing on her career development.

- To Elizabeth Pavel, who volunteered on the Program committee and was Chair of Mentoring. Although she has stepped down as Chair, she'll continue this year as a mentor.

PA AWIS Website Update
Michelle Boytim, Webmistress

I would like to encourage all of you to become involved with chapter activities. Not just attending events, but actively participating in the organization and implementation of these activities. One great resource is our website at www.pa-awis.org. You will find information on mentoring, programs, outreach, and other events organized by the chapter. We have recently added a section on Science Education projects and are adding to our Women’s Issues section with information on Gender and Career and Health and Safety. We update the Jobs Page and Career Page regularly. We would like to add a Book Review section, so if you have read any good books lately, please send your review to us. Website use has increased dramatically since last year, both in the number of people visiting (ten times greater) and in the number of pages that are visited (seven times greater). We welcome any additions, ideas, suggestions, or comments. You can reach the web team at pa_webteam@yahoo.com.

Asking for Mentors

There are three kinds of people - those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened.

You can make a difference! Please come to the November 16th chapter meeting and be a mentor for a graduate student who needs one.

Membership Committee Report

When you join or renew your chapter membership, you are asked to join National AWIS as well. In fact, because our non-profit (IRS) status is linked to National, you can't be a member of one without the other. The website for National AWIS has just been updated (www.awis.org) and a visit to this site will show you some of the things your national dues pays for. Computerized records should make the information about who is a paid member available very fast, however, National generally sends updates to us quarterly, and payments only twice a year. Your Membership Chair, Lalitha Subramanian, has the task of reminding National to send us our updates. We are working with National and hope that one day soon the process will become more efficient. In the meantime, you should send database information to Lalitha any time you move or change your email because that is how we stay in touch with you! Contact info is lalithawis@hotmail.com

Expanding Your Horizons Conference Needs Volunteers

The 23^rd annual Expanding Your Horizons Conference at San Jose State University will be held Saturday, March 17, 2001. We still need volunteers for Workshop Leaders, or to serve on the Planning Committee, or to be a General Volunteer .

The conference is for young women in grades 6-9. Our goals are:

- To emphasize the importance of taking mathematics and science courses in secondary school

- To foster awareness of career opportunities for women in mathematics and science related fields

- To increase young women’s interest in mathematics and science

- To provide young women with the opportunity to meet and form personal contacts with women working in traditionally male dominated occupations

- To alleviate the isolation of young women who are interested in math, science engineering and other nontraditional careers for women.

AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships

Help shape science and technology policy in Washington, D.C.. Contribute scientific and technical information and external perspectives to federal decision-making, while learning how government works. The AAAS fellowship programs provide a unique participatory public policy experience for scientists and engineers, through one-year assignments involving domestic and international science policy issues in Congress and several executive branch agencies. Stipends typically begin at $52,000.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral-level degree in any physical, biological or social science, any field of engineering, or any relevant interdisciplinary field. Engineers with a master's degree and three years of post-degree professional experience also may apply. U.S. citizenship is required. Federal employees are not eligible. Approximately 50 fellowships are awarded each year in nine different programs.

Application deadline is January 10, 2001. For application instructions and further information: fellowships.aaas.org. AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Programs, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Phone 202/326-6700. E-mail science_policy@aaas.org.

Tutors and Mentors Needed for the Disadvantaged

A small group of MITCNC members are volunteering at Menlo-Atherton High School to tutor economically disadvantaged students from East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park. Sequoia High School in Redwood City would like to institute a similar tutoring program (as well as mentoring), and more tutors are needed at Menlo-Atherton.

For more information regarding Menlo-Atherton high school, contact: Yanqing Du (650) 688-6758 or email: ydu@exponent.com
For more information regarding Sequoia high school, please contact: Bob Stern (650) 365-4880 or email: patent@mac.com

Gender & Science Bookshelf
Kam Dahlquist

Evelyn Fox Keller is Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at MIT. She led the field of gender and science with the publication in 1983 of a biography of Nobel laureate Barbara McClintock, "A Feeling for the Organism" and in 1985 a collection of essays entitled "Reflections on Gender and Science". Her current book, "The Century of the Gene," is a compact, readable history of genetics and more specifically, the term 'gene', over the last hundred years. Through tracing the history of the word gene, she reveals the underlying assumptions built into the concept and examines how these assumptions have then influenced the progress of genetics and developmental biology.
She begins her story with the re-discovery of Mendel’s laws of inheritance in 1900 and the coinage of the word gene in 1909, long before anybody knew what a gene actually was. Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word with the intention of breaking with past theories about the causative agents of heredity. However, as Keller demonstrates, over time, the word gene itself became imbued with just such a notion of causative agency. For example, the term "master control gene" is often invoked in developmental biology. The eyeless gene in the fruit fly is referred to as a "master control gene" although the process it is said to control, eye development, really involves the interactions of many, if not hundreds of genes.
Keller also describes the difficulties in precisely defining what a gene is. The word gene is a convenient short-hand for communication among biologists. One operational definition might be that a gene is a DNA sequence that codes for a protein. However this tidy definition does not work for genes that code for functional RNAs, nor does it specify what the boundaries of a gene might be in the genomic sequence. What about regulatory DNA sequences that do not code for anything; are they genes? I believe that most molecular biologists are aware of the discrepancies of the current nomenclature. For example, rules had to be laid down to settle a bet for how many genes the human genome will contain (for details, see http://www.ensembl.org/genesweep.html).
However, by highlighting the issues, Keller suggests that holding on to the old concept of the gene may end up limiting our progress in this new century of genomics research. As technology in molecular biology moves from studying a handful of genes at a time to studying the interactions of thousands of genes at a time, we need a new terminology. Ironically, a shift in terminology may come at a time when the concept of the gene has become popularized. A recent shampoo commercial shows a double helix and talks about the gene for limp hair. Humor aside, moving away from this kind of genetic determinism may also be critical for navigating the thorny ethical road that genetic tests for common diseases will bring.

In conclusion, I recommend this book to both specialists and non-specialists. The necessary biological concepts are explained with the help of useful diagrams. My only criticism is that as a molecular biologist, I was left craving more details and a deeper analysis than Keller’s overview gave. Also, an analysis of the role gender has played in the history of the gene was conspicuously absent in a book from the "grandmother" of gender and science research. Nevertheless, this book is timely reading for all of us entering this exciting new era of biology.

Two New Books
Staff Correspondent

"Who Moved My Cheese?" authored by Spencer Johnson, MD. Dr Johnson writes about change management and offers various (parable) strategies for adapting to change that can be applied to our everyday work world. A quick read and very enlightening!

"Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace" authored by Dennis and Michelle Reina. The ideas in this book were covered in the recent NCC workshop presented by Beata Lewis. If you missed the workshop, you might want to check this out.

More Great Reading

AWIS has obtained a subscription to Science's "Next Wave" for all of its members. The "Next Wave" is a weekly on-line publication that focuses on career development and transitions and is targeted to graduate students, postdocs, and early career scientists. However, many of the articles - from the grant doctor to interviewing skills and effective communication to the issue of trailing spouses - are appropriate and useful for scientists of all ages.

To access Next Wave, go to the AWIS website, www.awis.org. On the site, click on "members only", type the password, and then click on "New! Visit Science's Next Wave". All the articles are then available for free.

Established, award-winning healthcare/pharmaceutical-based advertising agency in San Francisco looking for a well-rounded, experienced MEDICAL WRITER to join our team. We need a solid problem-solver who can develop original, creative thinking and quality work that both fills their "book" AND delivers on our clients‚ needs. Must be able to think beyond the obvious, deliver strategically-relevant communications and stay organized. Experience with medicine is vital. Our workflow is sometimes fast-paced, but very well structured and process-oriented. Degree in related studies, 5+ years work experience in an agency or on the client-side and proficiency in Word are required. This is a senior role in the department, so cool-headed team players should only apply. This is a full-time staff position, but qualified freelancers are encouraged to reply. No calls please. Job closes December 2000.

 

 

Association for Women In Science (AWIS), Palo Alto
Thursday, November 16^th 2000
Spotlight on Mentoring

Come to the Fabulous Kick-off Meeting!

• This will be a roundtable in which all interested mentors will be introduced to the student protégés. Mentoring needs YOU to share with the next generation!
• Mentoring is a key support mechanism that helps graduate women – Mentors listen, give feedback, share experience, give perspective, suggest options.
• No special training is required. Time requirement is flexible and negotiable.
• Prospective mentors and protégés will meet and choose each other to form a pair

From Hwy 280: Take the Page Mill Rd exit and head EAST. Turn left onto Junipero Serra Blvd. After ~1-2 miles, when you see the Stanford Golf Course, turn right onto Campus Drive West (don’t turn into Campus Drive East). Santa Theresa St. will be the first street on the right hand side. Turn right and park in the area between Morris Way and Lomita Drive. Walk down Morris Way, turn right when you reach the Green Earth Sciences Building and Mitchell will be the second building on your left. The Hartley Conference room is on the first floor, across from the elevator.