Committee of Scientists Update

Barry Graubard and Katherine McGlynn

The Committee of Scientists (COS) recently completed analysis of its 2008 survey of DCEG scientists. The role of the COS is to advise the Office of the Director (OD) about issues, challenges, and concerns relevant to the DCEG scientific staff and to facilitate communication across the Division at all scientific levels. This year’s questionnaire included 74 questions, designed to assess six critical aspects of the work environment: administration and operations; travel; personnel; recruitment; scientific environment; and facilities and infrastructure. There was a 50% response rate, and the distribution of respondents by position was 29% fellows, 17% staff scientists/clinicians, 8% tenure-track investigators, 24% senior investigators/experts, and 22% unspecified.

Members of the COS met with Joseph F. Fraumeni, Jr., M.D., Division Director, Shelia Hoar Zahm, Sc.D., Deputy Division Director, Jackie Lavigne, Ph.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Office of Education, and Marianne K. Henderson, M.S., Chief of the Office of Division Operations and Analysis, to discuss the survey results and make recommendations. The results indicated that, overall, DCEG researchers are very satisfied with the opportunities afforded to them through the Division to pursue high-quality research. Some of the areas identified as inhibiting their ability to work efficiently are external to Division control, such as the technology transfer process, extensive training requirements, travel restrictions, and new personnel review requirements. Drs. Fraumeni and Zahm are committed to providing support to help the Division address these various requirements while preserving a high-quality research environment. Survey respondents would like to take more active roles in recruitment and in discussions about the scientific direction for the Division. Respondents also indicated a desire for more information on personnel reviews, Performance Management Appraisal Plan (PMAP) ratings, and salary determination. In response to these concerns, the COS suggested that the OD provide the branches with periodic updates about these processes and other aspects of Division operations.

Lastly, committee members discussed whether additional travel funds should be supplied for Division fellows to attend professional meetings and gain experience in presenting their work. Division policy is that each fellow is allotted one trip per year. There are opportunities for additional trips through the NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE) program and the similar DCEG DFARE travel award program. The survey responses and COS recommendations will be taken into consideration by Division leadership to revise current operations in accordance with the mission of DCEG.

More information about the COS is available on the DCEG Intranet.

—Barry I. Graubard, Ph.D.

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