Editor's Note: Changes Coming to Record

With this issue, the NIH Record ends its long history of appearing on Tuesdays. From now on, the Record will be distributed to employees on the new official payday, which is Friday. This change assures that the newsletter keeps up with its motto, "The Second Best Thing About Payday." Those who submit copy to us should note that our next issue will be Friday, Apr. 8. Deadline for that issue is Friday, Mar. 25

Ordinarily, the issue after this one would be Mar. 29. The extra week gives the editorial staff a chance to put finishing touches on a brand new look to the Record, which will debut very soon. It also gives us a chance to get used to the occasional use of color artwork in our pages. This issue marks the first use of color photography in the Record's 56-year history. We hope you enjoy it.

STEP Forum on Consciousness, Brain, Mind

The staff training in extramural programs (STEP) committee will present a Science for All forum on the topic, "Consciousness: How Does the Brain Create Mind?," on Tuesday, Mar. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Lister Hill Auditorium, Bldg. 38A.

What is consciousness? One of the ultimate challenges to biomedicine is to define how the physical brain produces conscious awareness. Research on brain function has given us fascinating insights into the nature of consciousness, but still it remains elusive. What has been learned from abnormal conditions or brain injury about the workings of the mind? How do basic elements such as emotion or language contribute? This forum will explore the current understanding of the biology of consciousness.

Wednesday Afternoon Lectures

The Wednesday Afternoon Lecture series — held on its namesake day at 3 p.m. in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10 — features Dr. Suzanne P. McKee on Mar. 16, addressing "What Is Human Stereopsis Good For?" She is senior scientist, Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco.

On Mar. 23, Dr. Hugh R.B. Pelham will lecture on "Quality Control of Transmembrane Proteins." He is deputy director and head, division of cell biology, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, U.K.

Inventor, author and futurist Ray Kurzweil will give the NIH Director's Cultural Lecture on Mar. 30. See story.

UCSF's Dr. Henry R. Bourne will give the NIH Director's Lecture on "Neutrophil Polarity and Direction Finding" on Apr. 6. See story.

For more information or for reasonable accommodation, call Hilda Madine, (301) 594-5595.

Women's History Month Observance Continues

NIH's annual Women's History Month observance continues on Tuesday, Mar. 29 with "Spirit, Courage and Global Collaboration," a mentoring seminar at the Stone House from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m., featuring Cheryl Kelley, FDA special emphasis program manager.

The event is sponsored by the NIH Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management. All are welcome to attend. Sign language interpreters will be provided. On-site registration will be available for NIH training credit. For more information, call Glenda Keen at (301) 594-3282 or via the Federal Relay, 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation should call Carlton Coleman at (301) 496-2906 or (301) 496-9755 (TTY).

NIH Golf Association Seeks Members