2009 Evolution and Medicine Lecture Series

NIH is partnering with the National Academy of Sciences to present the annual lecture series “Evolution and Medicine.” An outstanding group of scientists will present lectures on evolution as it applies to their area of scientific expertise. A reception will be held following each lecture. The program is free and open to everyone.

Feb. 9 – Brain Evolution: Lessons from Birds and Humans Who Sing and Talk, Erich Jarvis, Duke University

Mar. 25 – Your Inner Fish, Neil Shubin, University of Chicago

Apr. 13 – Communicating About Evolution, Matthew Nisbet, American University

June 8 – Evolution Matters, David Hillis, University of Texas

All lectures take place from 7 to 8 p.m. at the National Academy of Sciences Auditorium, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. A photo ID is required for entrance. For more information, contact (202) 334-2436 or cpnas@nas.edu. Sign language interpreters are available on request. If you require this or other reasonable accommodation, contact OSE at least 5 days before the event at moorec@mail.nih.gov, (301) 402-2470 or the Federal Relay, (TTY) 1-800-877-8339.

NIH-Duke Training in Clinical Research

Applications for the 2009-2010 NIH-Duke Training Program in Clinical Research are now available in the Clinical Center, Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education, Bldg. 10, Rm. B1L403.

The NIH-Duke program, implemented in 1998, is designed primarily for physicians and dentists who desire formal training in the quantitative and methodological principles of clinical research. The program is offered via videoconference at the CC. Academic credit earned by participating in this program may be applied toward satisfying the degree requirement for a master of health sciences in clinical research from Duke School of Medicine.

For more information about course work and tuition costs, visit http://tpcr.mc.duke.edu. Email queries about the program may be addressed to tpcr@mc.duke.edu. The deadline for applying is Mar. 1. Applicants who have been accepted into the program will be notified by July 1.

Observe Data Privacy Day, Jan. 28

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the U.S., Canada and 27 European countries will observe Data Privacy Day. With legislation pending to establish a national holiday, Data Privacy Day is designed to raise privacy awareness and foster international cooperation around privacy issues.

Privacy and protecting information is critical to NIH’s mission. Whether the personally identifiable information (PII) you work with appears in hard copy, on the web or is disclosed via encrypted email or over the phone or a secure fax machine, protecting an individual’s private information is everyone’s responsibility. The NIH Office of the Senior Official for Privacy encourages you to celebrate Data Privacy Day by: shredding unnecessary documents that contain sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, patient medical records, financial or personnel information, biometrics, etc.; frequently changing your computer password; encrypting email that contains PII; subscribing to NIH’s privacy e-newsletter NIH Eye on Privacy to stay current on privacy initiatives at NIH. To subscribe, visit http://oma.od.nih.gov/ms/privacy/niheyeonprivacy.html.

Workshop on Translational Research

The National Center for Research Resources is sponsoring a 1½-day translational research workshop Feb. 10-11 at the Natcher Conference Center. “Decision-Making in T1 Translational Research” is the first in a series of anticipated workshops designed to identify common challenges, discover solutions and discuss best practices in T1 translational research.

Jointly sponsored with the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Consortium—a national group of world-class research institutions striving to turn scientific discoveries into treatments for patients—the workshop will concentrate on team science and pathways; incorporating advanced technologies and animal models into T1 research; and young investigators’ needs.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration deadline is Feb. 2. Individuals who need reasonable accommodation should contact the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 at least 5 days before the event. For more information and to register, visit http://palladianpartners.com/TR-Workshop.

NIH Exceeds Its CFC Goal, But Campaign Has Another Week

To date, NIH has contributed $2.4 million to those in need via the Combined Federal Campaign. Through their generosity, NIH employees have made a huge impact in the local, national and international non-profit community.

Every year has challenges, but learning first-hand about needs just in Montgomery County alone brings home the importance of the work NIH does with the CFC:

• Year to date, more than 30 percent of individuals visiting county social services have college degrees.
• 83 percent of new customers are unemployed compared to 75 percent last year.
• Food stamp needs have grown 16 percent since last year.
• Home energy assistance applications grew from 7,828 in 2007 to 9,043 in 2008.
• All 28 family shelter beds are full and 53 families are in motels—many more live with relatives or friends.
• Suicide hotline calls are up 150 percent from last year.
• Manna gave free groceries to over 1,400 more families than last year.
• At the Goodwill dinner in Bethesda for those in need, more than 400 attended.

Thank you to all who participated for your generous contribution no matter how large or small. You have made an impact in the lives of many. When NIH gives, good things happen.

You can still help. The CFC will remain active one more week, through January 2009. Should you wish to contribute, contact your keyworker found on the web site at http://cfc.nih.gov or by calling (301) 827-3801.

International Art Exhibit in VIC

A 7-year-old leukemia patient in Istanbul, Turkey, drew this image, which is part of the upcoming VIC exhibit. The artist explained, “This is the picture of the 23rd of April. I danced with my classmates. I will never forget that day.”

“The Day I Will Never Forget…,” an international art exchange exhibit, will be on display in the Nobel Laureate Exhibit Hall at the NIH Visitor Information Center (VIC) in Bldg. 45 starting Thursday, Feb. 5. The exhibit runs through the month. This collaborative effort sponsored by Tracy’s Kids Pediatric Art Therapy Program, NCI and the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) contains works of art created by pediatric hemato-logy-oncology patients and family members at hospitals and clinics in the U.S., Jordan, Israel, Egypt and Turkey. Tracy’s Kids is a non-profit organization affiliated with Georgetown University Medical Center’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. MECC was begun in 1996 with NCI assistance and has as its members Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Turkey. The VIC is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located in the lobby of the Natcher Bldg.