January 2016
January 2016
Five NIEHS alumni returned Jan. 22 to help kickoff a yearlong celebration of the institute's 50th anniversary. The event drew an overflow crowd of employees, retirees, and friends, who listened to stories and highlights of the alumni's time at NIEHS.
The annual NIEHS awards ceremony took on a special significance in 2016 with the theme "Legacy of Discovery," commemorating the 50th anniversary of the institute. Individuals and teams were recognized at the Jan. 27 event for their 2015 accomplishments.
February 2016
February 2016
by Dr. Gina Turrigiano, Brandeis University
Self-Tuning Neurons: Homeostatic Plasticity and the Development of Visual Cortical Circuits
Gina Turrigiano's talk on neuron plasticity and the development of visual cortical circuits marks the 30th anniversary of the Hans L. Falk Memorial Lecture Series. NIEHS launched the series in 1986, two years after Falk's retirement and one year after his death. Falk was an internationally known cancer researcher and environmental health science leader. The lecture helps highlight some of the ongoing contributions of NIEHS as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
NIEHS celebrated 50 years of environmental health research with a community forum held, for the first time, in its own backyard. Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program director, joined four local grantees Feb. 18 at RTP 180 — a monthly event in Research Triangle Park (RTP) that takes on topics from music and gaming to biomedical research, in a casual format that encourages audience involvement.
March 2016
March 2016
by Yvonne Maddox, Ph.D., Vice President for Research at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
NIEHS welcomed Yvonne Maddox, Ph.D., March 4 as this year’s Spirit Lecture Series Award winner. Maddox, vice president for research at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, previously held leadership positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Maddox said she was pleased to be part of the Institute’s 50 th anniversary program.
NIEHS staff at the annual Society of Toxicology meeting led classes, gave many science talks, demonstrated new databases, exhibited posters, and provided information about grant and training opportunities.
April 2016
April 2016
Transforming Durham’s Communities by Enhancing Women’s Health
Nearly 600 women, men, and children joined NIEHS and its partners for the second annual Women’s Health Awareness Day on the campus of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, North Carolina. The event was a part of the Institute’s 50 th anniversary celebration and a way to give back to the community. Free medical services, such as mammograms, sight and hearing tests, and screenings for lung cancer, heart health, kidney function, HIV, and more were provided to attendees. Medical and public health experts were also on hand to explain results and advise on next steps.
- More Information: Women's Health Awareness Day 2016 Program (11MB)
by Gerard Karsenty, M.D., Ph.D.
The Impact of Bone on Whole Organism Physiology
NIEHS distinguished lecturer, Gerard Karsenty, M.D., Ph.D., from Columbia University, shared his expertise on bone biology during his talk to NIEHS on April 12. Karsenty’s talk on “The Impact of Bone on Whole Organism Physiology” April 12 was hosted by John Cidlowski, Ph.D., head of the NIEHS Molecular Endocrinology Group in the Signal Transduction Laboratory and is representative of the type of research supported by NIEHS over the past 50 years.
On April 15, local officials joined NIEHS to break ground for a new energy efficient warehouse on the NIEHS campus in Research Triangle Park. NIEHS Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., and staff welcomed Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Cora Cole-McFadden, who represented Durham Mayor Bill Bell; Congressman David Price, D-N.C.; and staff member Betty Jo Shepheard, who represented Senator Richard Burr, R-N.C., to the groundbreaking. The new building, expected to be completed in 2017, is designed to generate as much or more power than it uses, which is referred to as net zero energy. It is designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is the very first net zero energy building within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NIEHS celebrated Earth Day for a whole week, with the theme, "Then, Now, and Next," inspired by NIEHS 50th anniversary observances.
The first talk, "How I Went Solar," was presented by two National Toxicology Program scientists, biologist Laura Hall and health scientist Gloria Jahnke, D.V.M. They shared their distinct approaches to adding solar energy production to their homes and discussed resources for those interested in exploring residential solar power.
The NIEHS Environmental Awareness Committee hosts a series of activities for a week-long celebration of events in honor of Earth Day on April 22. On Tuesday afternoon, Anything With A Plug will be loading their truck with e-waste at the F-module loading dock. Additional collection times with committee member helpers will be posted.
- Location: NIEHS Campus – Rall Bldg 101, F-module Loading Dock
- Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
- Speaker(s): Laura Hall
NIEHS celebrated Earth Day for a whole week, with the theme, "Then, Now, and Next," inspired by NIEHS 50th anniversary observances. On April 19, Dick Sloane, discussed the institute's progressive recycling program, which he helped nurture until his retirement from NIEHS in 2014.
The NIEHS Environmental Awareness Committee will host a series of activities for a week-long celebration of events in honor of Earth Day on April 22. On Wednesday afternoon, Robert Trickel, of the North Carolina Forest Service will describe actions property owners can take to protect their ash trees from emerald ash borer damage.
- Location: NIEHS Campus – Rall Building 101, Room F193
- Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
- Speaker(s): Robert Trickel, Head of the Forest Health Branch within the North Carolina Forest Service
NIEHS celebrated Earth Day for a whole week, with the theme, "Then, Now, and Next," inspired by NIEHS 50th anniversary observances.
On Thursday, April 21, Jeff Tucker, director of the NIEHS Fluorescence Microscopy and Imaging Center, shared the story of his career as an organic farmer, which is in addition to his work at the institute, in a talk titled, "The Past, Present, and Future of Sugarcreek Farm."
NIEHS celebrated Earth Day for a whole week, with the theme, "Then, Now, and Next," inspired by NIEHS 50th anniversary observances.
On Friday, April 22, Johnny Randall, Ph.D., the Director of Conservation Programs at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, shared the benefits of planting with native species and lead a walk around the NIEHS campus, to provide tips on how to use native plants in home landscapes.
About 200 kids and parents attended the first-ever Science in the Cinema event, hosted April 24 by NIEHS at the Marbles IMAX Theatre in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. The event was part of NIEHS outreach to bring visibility to the institute and its 50-year history in Research Triangle Park.
Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and postbaccalaureate fellows from NIEHS and surrounding research institutions gathered April 29 for the 19th annual NIEHS Biomedical Career Symposium, held at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
May 2016
May 2016
by Dr. Myles Brown
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Director, Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Hacking the Hormone Code
Rodbell Lecture speaker, Myles Brown, M.D., has changed the way researchers think about the role of hormones in breast and prostate cancer. His May 10 talk, "Hacking the Hormone Code," was hosted by NIEHS Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory Chief Kenneth Korach, Ph.D. Each year, the Dr. Martin Rodbell Lecture Series Seminar features a presentation by a scientist who has made significant contributions to a particular field of study.
- Time: Sunday, May 15, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
- Speaker: Dr. Srikanth "Sri" Nadadur, Ph.D., Health Scientist Administrator, NIEHS
- More Information: ATS 2016 Program (450KB)
Current and former recipients of the NIEHS Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) award gathered May 17-18 to present their research and exchange ideas. In honor of the NIEHS 50th anniversary, alumni of the program also reflected on how being a ONES recipient propelled their careers in environmental health sciences.
June 2016
June 2016
Scientists from NIEHS and around the country participated in the "Inflammation and the Environment: The Role of the Mitochondrion and Energy Metabolism" Workshop organized by the NIEHS Inflammation Faculty, an interdisciplinary, cross-divisional collaboration among researchers across the institute.
As part of the yearlong celebration of the NIEHS 50th anniversary, scientists, policy experts, public health practitioners, fellows, and others gathered at the institute for first annual Global Environmental Health Day.
July 2016
July 2016
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) celebrated the NIEHS 50th anniversary with a July 13 symposium at NIEHS. Speakers reflected on decades of collaboration and looked forward to working together to create a safer and healthier world by increasing the impact of the science of toxicology.
NIEHS staff, grantees, and partners gathered in Boston July 18-20 to celebrate 50 years of NIEHS and three decades of the Superfund Research Program.
Appalachian Health & Well-Being Forum
As part of its long-time efforts to interact and hear from communities across the country, NIEHS/NTP Director Birnbaum and staff visit southeastern Kentucky for the Appalachian Health and Well-Being Forum on July 25.
September 2016
September 2016
Scientists, consumer advocates, government officials, and industry representatives gathered Sept. 18-20 in Bethesda, Maryland, to reflect on 25 years of research on chemicals in the environment that may interfere with hormones in the body, known as endocrine disruptors. The event was organized by NIEHS as part of its year-long 50th Anniversary celebration.
To commemorate National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week, NIEHS hosted a range of activities during the week of September 19, including professional development workshops, science trivia challenges, and an alumni gathering.
NIEHS grantees researching the relationship between environmental factors and metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes, liver diseases) met to highlight their key research findings and to discuss issues and new directions for the field. The event was organized by NIEHS as part of its year-long 50th Anniversary celebration.
October 2016
October 2016
First Environments Early Learning Center (FEELC), a nature- and arts-based child care center in Research Triangle Park (RTP), celebrated its 30th anniversary in October. The center provides high-quality child care to children of employees at NIEHS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information, visit www.firstenvironments.org
Each fall, organizers of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) plan an array of activities to encourage federal employees to support more than 24,000 organizations. At NIEHS, the Sept. 22 campaign kick-off featured a presentation from a local charity and the sale of donated baked goods and other treats.
A small group from NIEHS celebrated the institute's golden anniversary Nov. 1 by participating in the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting in Denver.
In honor of the NIEHS 50th anniversary, this event will recognize the contributions of our contracted staff members and give federal employees the opportunity to say "Thank You". All NIEHS contracted staff members and federal employees are invited to come. Desserts and refreshments will be served.
- Location: NIEHS Campus – Rall Bldg 101, Cafeteria
- Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pm
November 2016
November 2016
On Nov. 1, dignitaries, invited guests, retirees, former directors, staff, and others gathered on campus for a long-awaited event. Before an overflow crowd, prominent public figures celebrated the institute's golden anniversary and highlighted the positive impact NIEHS has had on the world over the past 50 years.
Watch "50 Years of Progress," a story about the history and people who made NIEHS what it is today. (8:26)
The holiday season in most developed countries revolves around food, but for people living in the world’s poorest nations, getting enough to eat anytime of the year is an everyday struggle. Those most affected by hunger are children.
Scientists throughout the institute presented nearly 100 posters during the 14th annual NIEHS Science Days Nov. 3-4 festival. Organizers gave awards for best trainee talk and poster, and mentor and trainee of the year.
The contributions of our Nations' veterans are recognized at a November 9th ceremony at NIEHS.
Observances of the NIEHS 50th anniversary moved north to Washington, D.C., with a Nov. 16 legislative briefing and congressional reception, sponsored by the Friends of NIEHS.
The Friends is a coalition of nearly 50 environmental, health, and children's health organizations that raises awareness on Capitol Hill about NIEHS research. The events, which attracted about 100 attendees, recognized 50 years of NIEHS accomplishments, connecting high-impact environmental health research with community needs.
The NIEHS Partners, representatives of nonprofits and health advocates, held its annual in-person meeting Nov. 17. The annual event is normally held in Washington, D.C., but this year, in honor of the institute's 50th anniversary, they met at the NIEHS campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
December 2016
December 2016
NIEHS offered a refreshing alternative to computer-based ethics training, with a live Ethics Day event that mixed humor with problem solving. This year’s program attracted a capacity audience Dec. 2 and included two ethicists, who added spice and variety to the usual review of rule changes and prohibited behavior.
More than 1,200 people from across the nation joined in the first-ever Environmental Health Science (EHS) FEST Dec. 4-8, at the Durham Convention Center in downtown Durham, North Carolina. The NIEHS Division of Extramural Research and Training (DERT) planned the FEST in recognition of the NIEHS 50th anniversary.
This event will close out the NIEHS anniversary year by memorializing it. The program will include positioning select items for placement in the capsule commemorating 50 years of environmental health science research.
- Location: Rall Bldg 101, Rodbell Auditorium ABC
- Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
by Paul Modrich, James B. Duke Professor of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine
The last NIEHS Distinguished Lecture of 2016 featured a local scientist who is admired around the world for his research on how DNA corrects a particular type of error. Paul Modrich, Ph.D., James B. Duke Professor of Biochemistry at Duke University, specializes in DNA mismatch repair (MMR), a process that corrects mismatched base pairs that arise following DNA replication. His work earned him the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, along with Tomas Lindahl, Ph.D., M.D. and Aziz Sancar, M.D., Ph.D.
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