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Media Advisory 04-32
NIH-NSF to Convene Interagency Conference on Bridging the Life and Physical Sciences
October 8, 2004
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are convening the conference, "Research at the Interface of the Life and Physical Sciences: Bridging the Sciences," on Nov. 9, 2004, at the Natcher Conference Center on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Md.
The objectives of the conference are to identify opportunities, grand challenges, and issues at the interface of the life and physical sciences that could result in major advances and to develop approaches for bridging these traditionally separate fields.
"Strengthening and encouraging research at the interface of the life and physical sciences is crucial in leveraging our national resources. This interdisciplinary approach to research will undoubtedly provide unprecedented collaborative opportunities, as well as remarkable advances in the future that are underpinned by breakthroughs in both areas," said Elias Zerhouni, NIH director.
"The progress of medicine in the past 100 years is one of the great success stories in human history. It simply would not have occurred without continuous fundamental research in physical sciences and engineering," said Arden Bement, NSF acting director. "To sustain the pace of progress, we must enhance the hugely productive synergy between the physical and life sciences."
Planning for this conference is the result of language in the FY 2004 House Appropriations Report that recognized the importance of research at the interface of the life and physical sciences. NIH and NSF were asked to convene a conference of Federal agencies whose missions involve the conduct or support of research in the life and physical sciences to discuss ways to strengthen research at the interface. One recommendation resulting from the initial meeting held May 10, 2004, was to convene scientific researchers in order to obtain community input on effectively bridging the life and physical sciences.
Structured as a one-day, interactive meeting, the conference will be co-chaired by Dr. Jose Onuchic, professor of physics and co-director of the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, University of California, San Diego; Dr. Ken Dill, professor of biophysics and associate dean of research, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco; and Dr. Claire Fraser, president and director of The Institute for Genomic Research, Rockville, Md. A core of invited extramural scientists will serve as primary discussants to address the conference objectives. Representatives from appropriate Federal agencies will also attend and participate as agency resources.
Attendance at the conference is open to the public, although seating is limited. No registration fee is required. Individuals interested in attending should send an e-mail to [nibibinterface@mail.nih.gov], indicating their potential contribution to the conference objectives and providing contact information. The deadline for responding is Oct. 15, 2004.
Additional details on the life and physical sciences conferences can be found at the following link: [http://www.nibib.nih.gov/].
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Who:
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Arden Bement, NSF
Elias Zerhouni, NIH, and invited conference discussants
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What:
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Conference, "Research at the Interface of the Life and Physical Sciences: Bridging the Sciences"
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When:
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Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004
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Where:
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Natcher Conference Center
NIH Campus, 45 Center Dr.
Bethesda, MD
(Medical Center Metro stop, Red Line)
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-NSF-
Program Contacts
Arthur B. Ellis, NSF (703) 292-4960 aellis@nsf.gov
Bruce K. Hamilton, NSF (703) 292-8320 bhamilto@nsf.gov
Related Websites
Additional details on life and physical sciences conferences: http://www.nibib.nih.gov/
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that
supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and
engineering, with an annual budget of $6.06 billion. NSF funds reach all 50
states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year,
NSF receives about 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over
11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in
professional and service contracts yearly.
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