In This Issue of The Research Advocate
Progress Slow on FY 2010 Research Funding
CPH Update
Research!America Leaders Encourage Advocacy for Research
Research!America Participates in Global Health Forum
You Can Make Research to Improve Health A Higher National Priority
President's Message
Member Spotlight: TGen
Spotlight: Member of Congress Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA, 50th)
National Medical Research Day
IOM Welcomes New Members
CAMI's Recovery Through Discovery Briefing
The National Academies Recommends New Biology Initiative
Your Candidates-Your Health Receives Award
Gershen Named NEOUCOM President
Global Health Research Message Delivered in Wisconsin
Global Health Research in New SUNY President's Agenda
Public Health Thank You Day, November 23
Science Policy Fellow Contributes to Research!America
Media Matters
New on the Web
Did You Know?
Progress Slow on FY 2010 Research Funding
Congress passed a second Continuing Resolution to keep much of the federal government operating at FY09 levels through December 18. Given the intense focus on health reform, other legislation, including the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill, has taken a back seat. Funding for the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality will remain unknown through at least mid-month, if not beyond.
The Senate did pass its Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill, which included $6.9 billion for the National Science Foundation, a 6.6% increase over FY09. The House of Representatives and Senate are working to resolve the differences between their two versions.
Although the FY 2010 appropriations cycle is not complete, Research!America is looking ahead to FY 2011 advocacy. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, we joined with other research advocacy organizations on a campaign to thank President Obama for the reinvestment in research and urge him to make NIH funding a priority in FY 2011.
Research!America leadership--The Honorable John Edward Porter, chair; Mary Woolley, president; and Stacie Propst, PhD, vice president, science policy and outreach--recently met with Keith Fontenot, associate director for health programs at the Office of Management and Budget, to discuss NIH funding.
For updates on research funding, visit www.researchamerica.org/advocacy. Back to top.
CPH Update
The Campaign for Public Health and a small group of national non-profits recently met with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA). Staff members detailed the prevention sections of the Senate bill and applauded CPH and others for their work to keep prevention in the health reform debate. CPH Executive Director Karl Moeller was told that Harkin appreciated CPH's letter in support of the prevention provisions. The letter was signed by 31 senior health leaders, including seven past CDC directors and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The letter can be found on the CPH Web site, www.FundCDC.org.
Thanks to grant funding from two national corporations, The CPH Foundation is preparing two educational handouts about public health issues. The first covers public health broadly and the second provides a detailed look into disease surveillance both in the U.S. and overseas. The CPH Foundation is grateful to Pitney Bowes and the Life Technologies Foundation for their support of this important project. Back to top.
Research!America Leaders Encourage Advocacy for Research
Research!America leaders regularly speak to scientists, public health professionals and policy makers about the importance of research and advocacy. The Honorable John Edward Porter, Research!America chair, spoke about scientists' roles in garnering public support for research funding at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Science and Technology Policy Leadership Seminar in Washington, DC. AAAS is a Research!America member.
Also at the seminar, Stacie Propst, PhD, Research!America's vice president of science policy and outreach, spoke about ways in which we work with scientists to help them talk about their profession to Congress and the public.
Porter also participated in a panel discussion at the Union of Concerned Scientists 40th Anniversary Symposium in Boston. He discussed the interconnectedness among science, policy and the media with Mario Molina, PhD, chemistry professor at the University of California in San Diego and winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; Don MacGillis, assistant editorial page editor, The Boston Globe; and Steve Curwood, executive producer and host of the radio series "Living on Earth."
Mary Woolley, Research!America president, gave the keynote at the Association for Vision and Research in Ophthalmology Board of Trustees meeting in Washington, DC. ARVO is a Research!America member. She emphasized advocacy for increased research funding in FY 2010 and FY 2011 especially, when American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds are exhausted. The meeting was followed by an advocacy day on Capitol Hill organized by the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research. ARVO trustees and members met with Congressional leaders and their staffs to discuss the economic impact of vision research funded by ARRA. Back to top.
Research!America Participates in Global Forum for Health Research
At the invitation of the Global Forum for Health Research, Research!America's Emily Connelly, science policy and outreach director, took part in a pre-conference session that brought together leading experts around the world who track resources for health research. Joining her was Karen A. Goraleski, our vice president for public health partnerships.
The meeting in Havana, Cuba, was another step toward the goal of global agreement and clarity on addressing the many challenges in tracking investment in global health research including inadequate data, inconsistent methodology and lack of transparency.
Connelly later participated in a breakout session on global investments in health research and innovation moderated by Jeffrey Drazen, editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine. Connelly's remarks included highlights from Research!America's latest Investment in Health Research report, poll data and advocacy efforts through the Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research.
Furthering Research!America's international collaboration with Council on Health Research for Development (Switzerland), Goraleski participated in a session working to identify strategies to engage civil society in research for health, a new concept for many countries. Back to top.
You Can Make Research a Higher National Priority
Advocates nationwide are expressing their gratitude for the recent revitalization of research by writing letters to President Obama. If you haven't, you can join them at www.researchamerica.org/thankobama. As we urge the president to continue to make research a priority in FY 2011, we must also reach out to our members of Congress.
Ask your members of Congress to get on the record about where they stand on supporting research online at Your Congress-Your Health and thank those who have already responded. Visit www.yourcongressyourhealth.org today and join the thousands of Americans each week who are helping make research a higher national priority. Back to top.
President's Message
As the first decade of the 21st century draws to a close, I am reminded that the concern du jour in December 1999 was the transition to "Y2K," with its reminders of our global-interconnectedness, a reality we are even more concerned about today. Many observers, myself included, now believe we are not concerned enough: this nation is failing to keep pace with global competitors who are much more committed to investing in research and innovation to drive their economies and achieve health and prosperity for their citizens. They are investing more substantially in infrastructure and education and are prioritizing science at the same high level as national security and health.
In the absence of such prioritization here, by the time the second decade of the 21st century concludes we will be watching with increasing helplessness as younger American generations face lives that are shorter, less healthy and less economically promising, with fewer prospects for individual and national prosperity.
Will you join me in making two resolutions? First, commit to advocacy on a monthly basis. If you are not already a member of the Research!America alert network, join today at www.researchamerica.org/stay_informed. We provide a steady stream of advocacy opportunities that only take a few minutes. Collectively we will have major impact. Second, if you value Research!America's work, help us by donating financial support. We're a bit like public radio or television; many benefit, but only a tiny percentage actually supports us. Go to www.researchamerica.org/donate to contribute. I promise you every dollar will be put to good use. Back to top.
Member Spotlight: Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), a nonprofit organization, is focused on developing earlier diagnoses and smarter treatments. Translational genomics research employs innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project by applying them to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, infectious disease, metabolic and other complex diseases. TGen's research is based on personalized medicine, and the institute plans to accomplish its goals through robust and disease-focused research.
TGen partners with others in academic and scientific communities in Arizona and beyond to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational research process. Recent highlights include work related to brain tumors, pancreatic cancer, H1N1 (swine flu), DNA identification (forensics) and clinical trials for various types of cancer.
"The foundation for successful biomedical research organizations rests on the ability to attract and retain scientific talent around a core mission," said Tess Burleson, chief operating officer.
While National Institutes of Health funding is key, many new scientists are not able to immediately secure such funding. Other funding sources, such as TGen, are critical to provide first awards scientists need to eventually obtain NIH funding.
"Quite simply, without the various sources of funding, research could not happen," Burleson said. "No money, no mission."
This month, TGen and the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, MI, will finalize a strategic alliance enabling both institutes to maximize their worldwide contributions to science and health and accelerate their mutual goal of quickly moving research discoveries from laboratories to patient care.
To learn more, visit www.tgen.org. Back to top.
Spotlight: Member of Congress
Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA, 50th) represents nine of the top 25 research universities in the country, so he knows better than most that research benefits local communities across the U.S.
As a participant in Research!America's and the Geoffrey Beene Foundation's Rock Stars of Science briefing this fall, he emphasized how research not only leads to improved health but also to lower costs.
In a recent article published in the North County Times, Bilbray wrote, "Funding for the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and NSF (National Science Foundation) has the power to spur the kind of investments that put us on the path to our future economic recovery." He notes that in 2007, for every dollar put into NIH-funded research, states received two and a half dollars in return.
As a member of the House Committee on Science and Technology and co-chair of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, Bilbray consistently calls for increases in funding for the NIH and NSF. He has served the 49th District of California from 1995-2001 and the 50th district, 2006-present. See where he stands on issues vital to research and public health by visiting www.yourcongressyourhealth.org. Back to top.
Research!America Recognizes National Medical Research Day
The scientific community celebrated National Medical Research Day on October 21. A Research Means Hope Coalition press conference thanked the Obama Administration for its commitment to research and emphasized the need for continued funding, particularly in FY 2011.
Research!America mirrored this message in a statement, with our CEO Mary Woolley asking President Obama to "keep your promise to Americans to make NIH a pillar of our long-term economic growth strategy." Back to top.
IOM Welcomes New Members
Last month, the National Academies' Institute of Medicine announced 65 new members and five foreign associates. Among those are Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research Ambassadors Donald S. Burke, MD, University of Pittsburgh, and Wafaa El-Sadr, MD, MPH, Columbia University, and Rogers Society Advisory Council member Susan Dentzer, Health Affairs. Garfield Economic Impact Award winners Amy N. Finkelstein, MPhil, PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Dana P. Goldman, PhD, University of Southern California, were also selected, as was Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH. A complete list can be found at www.iom.edu. Back to top.
CAMI's Recovery Through Discovery Briefing
The Council for American Medical Innovation, led by Research!America board member Debra R. Lappin, JD, recently held a briefing to discuss the importance of U.S. medical innovation and how to promote it. Panelists addressed the need to reduce unnecessary litigation, strengthen intellectual property protections and refocus incentives to improve the climate for innovation.
The event was moderated by former Congressman and Council Chairman Dick Gephardt. Panelists included Marc Boutin, JD, of the National Health Council; Greg Simon, of Pfizer Inc; and Kelly Slone, of the National Venture Capital Association. Back to top.
The National Academies Recommends New Biology Initiative
This fall, The National Academies released a report requested by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy on how to build upon recent scientific advances. The report, A New Biology for the 21st Century: Ensuring the United States Leads the Coming Biology Revolution, recommends that the U.S. launch a 10-year, multidisciplinary research initiative that would tackle society's major problems using scientific discoveries. Download the full report from www.nap.edu. Back to top.
Your Candidates-Your Health Receives AwardThe International Academy of the Visual Arts honored the Your Candidates-Your Health 2008 voter education initiative with a silver 2009 Davey Award. The 2009 Davey Awards featured more than 4,000 entries. The Davey Awards were created to honor the finest creative work from the best small firms, agencies and companies worldwide. Back to top.
Gershen Named NEOUCOM President
Jay A. Gershen, DDS, PhD, vice chancellor for external affairs for the University of Colorado Denver and Research!America board member, was recently named president of the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM). Steve Schmidt, PhD, chair of NEOUCOM's Board of Trustees, said in a press release that Gershen is the ideal candidate. Gershen's appointment begins January 15. Back to top.
Global Health Research Message Delivered in Wisconsin
In a continuing effort to meet with policy makers in local, state and district offices, Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research Ambassador Richard Love, MD, met with Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) and the WI congressional delegation.
Love, a professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine whose research focuses on breast cancer, drove home the importance of a federal investment in global health research.
Doyle expressed great enthusiasm and support as Love discussed how his research on breast cancer patients in southeast Asia is leading to cost-efficient ways of using technology, in particular cell phones, to increase our knowledge, care and treatment for breast cancer patients in the U.S. and globally. Back to top.
Global Health Research in New SUNY President's Agenda
At a forum addressing students and faculty, Paul G. Rogers Society Ambassador and State University of New York Stony Brook's new president, Samuel L. Stanley Jr., MD, talked about why the U.S. and SUNY care about global health research. In addition to the American belief of helping others, Stanley noted health protection, the economic driver of U.S.-funded research and the unprecedented student interest in global health and research.
Moderated by Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs, a panel discussion featured Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Society Ambassadors James W. Kazura, MD, Case Western Reserve University, and Adel Mahmoud, MD, PhD, Princeton University. Back to top.
Public Health Thank You Day, November 23
On the Monday before Thanksgiving, Research!America, the American Public Health Association, Association of Schools of Public Health, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, National Alliance for Hispanic Health and National Association of County & City Health Officials paused to say thank you to our nation's public health heroes.
"Public Health Thank You Day is an excellent opportunity to recognize those who have committed their lives to promoting a long, productive and healthy life for all people," said Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, CDC director.
These are a few of the public health heroes we salute. Visit www.publichealththankyouday.org for more.
Science Policy Fellow Contributes to Research!America
Jacqueline Maffucci, PhD, recently joined Research!America as a Burroughs Wellcome science policy fellow. She earned her PhD in neuroscience from the University of Texas at Austin. Some of her experiences include assisting students at UT's Graduate Writing Center, advocating for evolution in Texas school curriculum, mentoring women on careers in science and serving as president of UT's Neuroscience Graduate Student Association. Back to top.
Media Matters
Research!America in the News
Margaret Foti, MD, PhD, CEO of the American Association for Cancer Research, a Research!America member, wrote an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer about Americans' lack of awareness of this year's winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. She cited Research!America's recent poll finding that most Americans cannot name a living scientist. Foti called on the American public to become more invested in science and research.
Darlene Cavalier, founder of the Science Cheerleader blog, wrote about Research!America's Your Congress-Your Health initiative as an easy-to-use site allowing visitors to discover where Congressional representatives and Senators stand on health reform and research issues.
Patricia Hibberd, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Global Health Research at Tufts University and an Ambassador in Research!America's Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research, wrote an op-ed on The Huffington Post blog about the threat of childhood pneumonia. She pointed to research tying pneumonia to H1N1, or swine flu, and called for more funding for global health research into pneumonia treatments.
The Positive Impact of ARRA on Research
Research funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is creating opportunities for innovative research, but those funds must be sustained, the Association of American Medical Colleges' Ann Bonham, PhD, chief scientific officer; Anthony J. Mazzaschi, senior director for scientific affairs; and Stephen J. Heining, lead science policy analyst, wrote in The Chronicle of Higher Education. They urged scientists to use ARRA funds responsibly to help convince Congress and the public to keep supporting research funding. AAMC is a Research!America member.
Nature magazine published a graphic of ARRA science and research funding to show which federal agencies are receiving funds, the amount each is receiving and the types of research projects that will be funded.
The Science of Story Telling
Randy Olson, PhD, a scientist and Hollywood producer, wrote in The Scientist about the similarities between writing and conducting a scientific investigation. Among his observations: "Scientists write their papers in the same three-act structure that novelists and filmmakers use to tell their stories. The standard format of a scientific research paper consists of an introduction, methods and results, and discussion."
Physician Assistant Ranked Second of Top 50 Professions
Robert Wooten, physician assistant at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC, was featured in a Money Magazine article about the best jobs in America. Research!America member the American Academy of Physician Assistants worked with the magazine on the story, which rated physician assistant as the #2 profession based on pay and expected industry growth. The #1 job was systems engineer. Back to top.
New on the Web
Nature shows American Recovery and Reinvestment Act science funding in a graphic at www.nature.com/news/2009/091014/pdf/461856a.pdf.
The Houston Chronicle hosts a new blog by researchers at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.
The National Institutes of Health has created ResearchMatch.org, a secure site designed to match people interested in participating in research with studies that may be the right fit for them.
Did You Know?
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton named Elias Zerhouni, MD, a Research!America board member, one of three Science Envoys to establish scientific partnerships with Muslim countries.
Research!America member Clinical Research Forum named Robert Califf, MD, as its new chairman.
M.R.C. Greenwood, PhD, a Research!America emeritus director, was named president of the University of Hawaii System.
The National Institutes of Health awarded $16.8 million in new grants to examine women's careers in science. For more on the Women in Biomedical Careers initiative, see http://womeninscience.nih.gov.
Research!America board member Tenley Albright, MD, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, leads an interdisciplinary group of researchers studying childhood obesity. The group recommends creating regional "foodsheds" that can naturally supply food to an area. Read more at http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/foodshed.html.
Download the December 2009 issue in its entirety as a PDF.