R a Still The Second Best Thing About Payday

RML Scientists Win Salzman HIGHLIGHTS FY 2004 Budget Roll-Out Award in Virology President Bush Announces 'Project Or. Sonja M. Best, a Fogarty visiting fellow at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in President Bush BioShield' at NIH During Visit Hamilton, Mont., recently received the Visits NIH To Launch Project By Rich McManus fourth annual Norman P. Salzman Memorial resident George W. Bush visited NIH on Feb. 3, touring the Award in Virology. Best's mentor, Dr. Vaccine Research Center and delivering a 20-minute address Marshall E. Bloom, associate director of Varmus Portrait before a packed Natcher auditorium on Project BioShield, a RML, also received the Salzman award in Dedicated P roughly $6 billion, 10-year effort described in his FY 2004 budget recognition of their collaborative research that aims to protect the American on Aleutian mink disease. public from various weapons of bioterrorism. He repeatedly hailed the The Salzman award and presentation is a intellectual power and dedication of part of the Norman P. Salzman Symposium the NIH workforce, and earned a in Virology organized by the NIH virology particularly robust ovation when he interest group and administered by the announced his administration's inten­ Foundation for the NIH. The group, tion to bolster funds addressing HIV/ composed of researchers from NIH, the AIDS in Africa: "We weep for those Food and Drug Administration, Rockefeller who suffer on the continent of Africa, University, Rutgers University and and we intend to do something about Vanderbilt University, selects the award it." SEE SALZMAN AWARD, PAGE 2 The President, accompanied on the NIH Black History Month Program dais by H HS Secretary Tommy Thomp­ To Feature Alexis Herman son and by Tom Ridge, new secretary SEE PRESIDENT'S VISIT, PAGE 4 Former Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman Will be the keynote speaker at Varrnus Portrait Dedicated in Bldg. 1 uReflections from Our Past: Building for By Rich McManus Our Future," the NIH 2003 African American hree years after leaving directorship of NIH to head Memorial Heritage Month Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, Dr. Harold Celebration on T Varmus returned on Jan. 15 for the formal unveiling of his Tuesday, Feb. 25 from portrait- a tradition observed by all 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Masur Auditorium, past NIH directors. At a Wilson Hall Bldg. 10. Also, the D.C. ceremony attended by many of his former colleagues and recruits, Varmus chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers will share gave an art history lesson explaining the portrait, which includes him in the historical perspectives. foreground, seated and looking gregari­ The Buffalo Soldiers ous in an open-collared shirt, and a were black men from U.S. Dqiartrrn:nt Alexis M. Herman across the country of Health and prominent backdrop featuring a famous painting, executed by Jacques Louis who joined African American regiments Human Snviccs established after the Civil War. For more i\.1t1011,il ln'ilitutcs David in 1788, of French scientist Antoine Laurent Lavoisier and his wife information or reasonable accommodation, 111 I k .ilil1 Marie Anne Pierrette Paulze. Former N IH director Dr. call Kay Johnson Graham, 496-3403 or Harold Varmus shares The Varmus portrait is the work of Michael Chew, 402-3681 (voice) or (301) February 18. 2003 his observations abm,t 480-3122 (TTY). Iii Vol. 1.V, No. 4 SEE VARMUS PORTRAIT UNVEILED, PAGE 6 new portrait in, Bldg. 1. SALZMAN AWARD: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 recipients. CIT Computer Classes The two scientists were cited for their research ~QT entitled, "Replication of Aleutian mink disease All courses are given without charge. For more parvovirus requires caspase-mediated cleavage of information call 594-6248 or consult the training the nonstructural protein, NS1." program's home page at http://training.cit.nih.gov. Best has been conducting research at RML since Titan Transition - Where's My Keyword? 2/19 1999. A native of Australia, she received her PowerPoint Topics: Graphs, Links and More 2/19 bachelor of science degree in zoology with honors mAdb Basic Informatics 2/19 Dr. Alexandra from the University of Adelaide, and a doctorate in Introduction to FileMaker Pro 5 2/20 Ainsztein is now Grants Management Standardized Spreadsheet 2/20 the scientific NIAJD's Dr. Sonja Data Warehouse Orientation 2/20 review adminis­ M. Best accepts the Introduction to Dreamweaver MX 2/21 tMtor for the cell fourth annual Microarray and Oligoarray Analysis development and Norman P. Salzman Using GcneSpring 2/24 function 4 stud)• Memorial Award in NBS Travel System Training - Step 3 (Lab Day) 2/24 section at the Virology from Dr. NIH Data Warehouse Query: Acquisition Center for Alonzo Garcia of the & Contract Management 2/24 Scientific Review, FDA. Last year as a The Electronic Council Book and QVR 2/25 after participating postdoctoral fellow AFNI: Data Analysis with 3dDeconvolve 2/26 in CSR's Review with NIAID, Garcia .NET for Developers 2/26-27 Internship received the award. Outlook 2000 Tips and Tricks 2/27 Program. She Docking Flexible Lig-ands with FlexX 2/27 previously was an biochemistry and molecular biology from rhe Avoiding Pitfalls in Statistical Analysis 2/28 intramural Australian National University. Her graduate work Budget Tracking 3/3 research training focused on the pathogenesis of myxoma virus in Java Power Tools 3/3-4/7 associate at NIH Biowulf - a Supercluster for Scientific NICHD, where genetically susceptible and resistant populations of European rabbits. Ill Applications 3/4 she worked in its RACF on South and Titan Systems 3/4 section on cell Using Photoshop to Work with Scientific images 3/4 cycle regulation Dr. Theresa Mantini is now the scientific review adminis­ studying the role trator for the AIDS and related research 7 study section of SUM0-1 at the Center for Scientific Review. Her study section Calcium Study Seeks Subjects enzymes in cell reviews research proposals on behavioral and social science aspects of preventing HIV transmission and An NIH study seeks healthy overweight adult division. volunteers to examine the health effects of calcium Ainsztein received infeation. Mantini holds an supplementation over 2 years. Call 1-800-411-1222 a Ph.D. in M.S. W. from the University of biochemistry and California-Berkeley, and a Ph.D. (TTY: 1-866-411-1010) or email [email protected]. molecular biology in sociology from the University Compensation is provided. Iii from the Univer­ of California-San Francisco, sity of Florida in where she studied women's Gainesville. Her activism for breast cancer research there i11formed consent laws. She N I H R f C O R 0 focused on the received a postdoctoral fellowship dynamics of from the National Institute of Publiihe.d biweekly at Bethesda, Md,, by the EditQrial (:)perations Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to Branch. DMsion of Public Information, for the infotroation of microtubule ~mployees of the National Institutes of H~alth, Department of proteins that help sti,dy community organizing to Health and Hum311 Services. The roote)lt i$ reprint:lble wlthoot form the intracel­ limit alcohol availability in inner­ p.crnfl&Sion. Pktures- may be available on request. Use of funds for lular substrate or city neighborhoods. Montini then printing this periodical bas been approved by the d1rectllr oi the Office of Management and Budget through Sept. JO, 2003. cytoskeleton. taught sociology and social work at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, Whittier Col'lege and the California Before coming to NlH Record Office State Polytechnic University. Before coming to CSR, she l'hone496-21!25 N[H, Ainsztein Bldg. 31, Rm. 5-841 F;ix 402-1485 conducted conducted tobacco control research at the University of postdoctoral California-San Fra1uisco. Web addre~s studies on the role http;//www.nih.gov/news/NIH-Record/archives.htm of centromere Healthy Volunteers Needed .Editor TheN1H Record .reserves proteins in cell I Walter Reed Army Institute of Research needs Richard McManus che right ti:> make division at Johns [email protected] oorrecti(),11s, changes, or Hopkins Univer­ volunteers for licensed anthrax vaccine research. deletion-, in submitted sity and the Potential participants must be healthy, between ages Assistant Editor c.opy in conformir:y with University of 18 and 61. Study provides a free medical evaluation Carla Garnett the policie• of the paper Edinburgh in and financial compensation for time and effort. For [email protected] andl-IHS. Scotland. more information, call 1-866-856-3259 or (301) ~ The Record is recyelable as office white paper. 319-9320. I Rohrbaugh Named Director of OTT A-76 Process Update r. Mark L. Rohrbaugh has been named director The NIH commercial activities review team (CART) Dof the Office of Technology Transfer in the is announcing a change in the "commercial" func­ Office of Intramural Research, OD. He will oversee tions to be studied as part of the A-76 process during the patenting and licensing of NIH inventions and 2003 and 2004. Numerous smaUer studies of contribute to intramural and extramural technology personnel, finance and accounting, grants, general transfer policy at NIH and HHS. administration, R&D, and facilities and installation "We are delighted that Dr. services had been scheduled for 2003. IT and Rohrbaugh will be taking information services functions as well as other the helm of the OIT at this functions in personnel, grants, facilities and instaJJa­ critical time for technology tion services were scheduled for study in 2004. transfer, as more and more Several factors have led the A-76 steering committee of our basic science discov­ to revise that schedule, including proposed changes eries are translated into to Circular A-76 itself. effective preventions, The plan now is for the CART to conduct three diagnostics and treatments larger studies in 2003, essentially corribioing several for human disease," said of the smaller studies that were spread out over 2 NIH director Dr. Elias years. The facilities and installation services reviews Zerhouni, who made the that were scheduled for both this year and next will appointment. now be conducted in 2003. The grants technical and Rohrbaugh takes the helm administrative support functions in the program, of the most successful Dr. Mark Rohrbaugh review and grants management areas will all be technology licensing program in the federal govern­ studied this year .as well, rather than spread over Healthy ment in terms of commercialized products, as well as 2003 and 2004. These changes are expected to give Volunteers the lead office for technology transfer within the NIH the opportunity to submit a Most Efficient Needed department. NIH technology transfer efforts have Organization (MEO) proposal that will allow NIH Normal volun­ employees a better opportunity to compete against had an increasingly important role in improving the teers, ages 20 to nation's health thtough licensing and other collabo­ the private sector for a function undergoing study. 55, are needed for rations that have helped bring the results of Such changes in the timing of A-76 studies are NIH a research study and FDA laboratory research to the public. likely to occur over time. Employees are encouraged run by NIAID. During the past 10 years, NIH executed more than to consult with their IC executive officer about Volunteers will 1,800 licenses to inventions made by its intramural studies that will affect them, and should refer to the receive an FDA­ research program resulting in more than $350 NIH A-76 web site (http://a-76.nih.gov) for more approved drug million in royalties. More importantly, these efforts information. The FAQ section of the web site has designed to recently been updated in response to questions have resulted in the development, by its commercial increase white partners, of more than 20 life-saving drugs, vaccines received from employees at the November 2002 all­ blood cell count hands meeting. A second all-hands meeting is being and diagnostics and m,ore than 100 other biomedical and then partici• products. planned; employees should watch for an announce­ pate in apheresis Rohrbaugh started his career at NIH in 1991 as ment. D (a blood donation) scientific review administrator for the allergy, to collect the immunology, and transplantation research commit­ excess cells. tee, NIAID. In 1995, he moved from NIAID's­ Wednesday Afternoon Lectures Compensation is extramural program to the institute's Office of provided. Technology Development, serving as directol' of that The Wednesday Afternoon Lecture series-held on its namesake day at 3 p.m. in Masur Audito­ Interested office from 1997 to 2001. Before joining NIH, individuals should Rohrbaugh conducted molecular and cell biology rium, Bldg. 10-features Dr. Ralph M. Steinman on Feb. 26, giving a talk on "Dendritic Cells and call Mary Huber at research as a McKnight Foundation postdoctoral 496-7935. fellow at the University of Minnesota and as a the Control of the Immune Response." He is research and senior scientist at two biotechnology Henry G. Kunkel professor and senior physician, companies in Minneapolis. Iii Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immuno­ logy, Rockefeller University. Have Uterine Fibroids? On Mar. 5, Dr. Stephen J. Elledge, professor, department of biochemistry and HHMI investi­ Call NIH at 1-800-411-1222 for information on a gator, Baylor College of Medicine, will discuss, study using a new medication for 3 months before "Sensing and Responding to DNA Damage." hysterectomy. Study-related treatment provided at For more information or for reasonable no cost. Compensation is provided. TTY: 1-866- accommodation, call Hilda Madine, 594-5595. 411-1010, or email [email protected]. I PRESIDENT'S VISIT, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of the Department of Homeland Security, had come ro Natcher after touring NIH's premier vaccine President Bush'svisit research facility in Bldg. 40 with NIH director Dr. on Feb. 3 was the first official visit by a Elias Zerhouni, NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci, sitting President since and Dr. Gary Nabel, who directs the Vaccine President Bill Clinton The President Research Center and whose work on Ebola virus has came to NIH on June peers through a intrigued not onJy President Bush, but also Vice 9, 1999, to dedicate microscope in President Dick Cheney, who received an update on the Dale and Betty Bldg. 40 at cells bioterrorism during an unannounced visit to NIH Bumpers Vaccine transfected with last December. Research Center, expl'ession vectors known as Bldg. 40. en.coding specific President Bush was effusive in his praise of NIH fl'agments of leadership. "I thank Elias Zerhouni for his fine, fine Ebola virus or leadership," he said_, to loud applause, then quipped,

HIV that caused "You know, when I picked him, I thought he would PHOTOS: BILL AND damage to cells, do okay. He's far exceeded my expectations. He's ERNIE BRANSON compared to really, really a good man who is honoring our modified versions country with his leadership. Tony Fauci, of course, bioterrorism: "One vial (of a pathogen) smuggled where the toxicity I've known him for a long time... He's one of the across our borders could bring a day of horror like was removed, as generals in the war against HIV/AIDS ... Gary Nabel none we've ever known." an example of is with us... he just took us on a really interesting how vaccine Bush received a standing ovation, saying he was safety can be tour. J asked him if this is the best in the world, and "delighted to be here at the National Institutes of improved. Bush he said, 'You bet, not only do we have the best Health, a center of excellence, a center of the is accompanied by equipment in the world, Mr. President, we've got the brilliance of the American people. It is a place (from l) NTATD best people in the world."' Bush thanked alJ where so many people do work every day to help director Dr. employees of NIH, FDA, CDC, HHS and DHS-all save lives ... NIH is a great credit to America." Anthony Fauci, of whose leaders were on hand in the auditorium: He remembered the Columbia astronauts, but NIH director Dr. "Thank you for working long hours that enable me assured "the cause in which they died will con­ Elias Zerhouni, to go out to the countryside and say to the American tinue-America's journey into space will go on. The HHS Secretary people, 'There's a lot of good folks working long, spirit of modern science embodied in our space Tommy Thomp­ hard hours to protect you, and do the best we can son, DHS program can be found here at NIH." Secretary Tom do to m.ake sure America is safe and secure.'" Turning to the new threat of bioterrorism, he said, Ridge, VRC Secretary Thompson introduced the President, "Now our scientists have been called to meet a director Dr. Gary noting that "all of us today mourn the loss of the different kind of challenge: man's efforts to use Nabel, and Dr. space shuttle Columbia and her crew." He under­ diseases as weapons of war and terror. This threat Ganesh scored an NlH link to the mission: one of the many has placed research scientists at the center of our Lakshmanan, a experiments conducted aboard Columbia was a joint mission to defend the American people. It has put postdoctoral NIH-NASA study of brain structure and function in NIH squarely in the midst of our war to defend fellow in Nabel's rats. He also warned of the modern peril of America and to defeat international terrorism. With lab. focus and determination and necessary resources, this government will act before dangers are upon us." Bush paused to recognize members of Congress in attendance, including Sen. Edward Kennedy (D­ Mass,) and Reps. Chris Cox (R-Calif., who chairs the select committee on homeland security), Jim Turner (D-Tex._, a former member of the Texas state senate) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md., whose district includes Nill). Surgeon General Richard Carmona was also on hand, as were Dr. Mark McClellan, new head of the FDA, and Dr. Julie Gerberding, who leads CDC. Bush pointed out that since Sept. 11, 2001, America has been reawakened to the evil intentions of its enemies, and that the government's first responsibility is to defend the nation. "The kind of men who would seize planes filled with innocent people and crash them into buildings would not hesitate to use biological or chemical or nuclear world, as is planned with U.S. gains in the manage­ ment of HIV/AIDS. Bush concluded, "I look forward to working with the United States Congress to get Project BioShield out of its committees, onto the floor, onto my desk, so you all can work on behalf of the American people, so you can use your God-given talents, your fantastic brains, your clear vision to better protect America. This is the right course of action. This is what we owe the American Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) looks on as Zerhouni people. And this is greets a visiting dignitary. what we will deliver." Bush left the stage to weapons. They wouldn't hesitate at all. They don't another ovation, and value life like we value life in America," he said. passed through the first "They don't see every life as precious, like we see row of the auditorium, every life as precious in America." greeting agency heads He spoke briefly of Iraq, noting that "if the and politicians. As he Above, the dictator does not disarm, if he doesn't get rid of his left the hall, he looked back and bade, "Thank you President's weapons of mass destruction, then the United States all," with a wave goodbye. helicopter and will lead a coalition to disarm him." More details on Project BioShield are available at limousine await Bush first introduced Project BioShield, a plan for www.whitehouse.gov. Among its provisions are that him at a landing research and production of drugs and vaccines to the NIAID director would have increased authority pad on the combat bioterrorism, in his State of the Union and flexibility to award contracts and grants for grounds of the R&D on medical countermeasures. The authority National Naval address on Jan. 28. "My budget requests almost $6 Medical Center. would permit more rapid hiring of technical experts, billion to quickly make available safer and more Below, Bush effective vaccines and treatments against agents like and quicker procurement of items needed for takes the stage smallpox, anthrax, botulinum toxin, Ebola and research. FDA also would gain emergency authority with Ridge (I) plague... We must rebuild America's capacity to to use promising medical countermeasures that have and Thompson. produce vaccines by committing the federal govern­ not yet undergone formal review for full licensure. ment to the purchase of medicines that combat bioterror." He continued, "Under Project BioShield, the government will have the spending authority to purchase these vaccines in huge amounts, sufficient to meet any emergency that may come." He predicted a better and safer smallpox vaccine, antibodies to treat botox, and "sophisticated devices that can confirm a dse of anthrax infection almost instantly." Spinoff discoveries are also antici­ pated, he said, as has typically been the case when other large ventures of scientific discovery have been mounted. He pledged to share America's harvest of new knowledge with the VARMUS PORTRAIT UNVEILED. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 artist Jon R. Friedman, whose renderings of former National Academy of Sciences president Dr. Frank Press and of Dr. Maxine Singer, an NCI scientist who now heads the Carnegie Institution of Washing­ ton, had impressed Varmus. Friedman spoke briefly at the ceremony, also attended by Varmus's wife Connie Casey. who unveiled the artwork. NIH director Dr. Elias Zerhouni emceed the affair, and read a letter from former Rep. John E. Porter (R-ill.), a prominent friend of Nil-I while on the agency's congres­ sional appropriations committee, who could not attend. Porter's Varmus and Zerhouni stand beside the finished work, letter hailed Varmus as which features Varmus sitting before a famous old the model and "gold painting by French artist Jacques Louis David. standard" of an NIH director, and praised Hyman praised Varmus's skiUs as a recruiter, his organizational noting that candidates should have interpreted it as skill-"closely analo­ a sign of respect when Varmus met them while still Varmus chats with gous to herding cats." Even greater than Varmus's dripping wet from exercise, or when Varmus took NIH director Dr. success winning large NIH budgets from Congress, them to Bethesda's no-frills restaurants for recruit­ Elias Zerhouni Porter said, was his ability to achieve "vastly ment pitches. He noted that, under Varmus, "the and former N IMH increased public awareness of the benefits of necktie was demoted at NIH as a symbol of polite director Dr. Steven science." dress.'' Hyman (c) at the Offering more of a traditional roast of the day's event; Hyman, Hyman concluded, "Harold was all about sub­ now provost at honoree was Dr. Steven Hyman, whom Varmus stance, content, high quality science, and he was Harvard Univer­ recruited to direct NIMH, and who now is provost entirely unapologetic about it. He wasn't about sity, spoke at Harvard University. "So what do you say about a marketing or making compromises. His tenure led candidly about man who is truly larger than life?" he began. to enormous morale and camaraderie. That sense of Varmus'.s tenure as Hyman said NIH appeared, at least from an extra­ NTH director. mural perspective, to be in the doldrums prior to Just after Varmus Varmus's arrival in 1993. "With Harold's arrival, announced his things really seemed to change quickly and with an intention, in fall 1999, upward trajectory that I don't think anyone could to leave NIH, some have predicted." colleagues put up a mock portrait ·PHOTOS: JOHN Hyman said Varmus's great gift was an insistence CRAWFORD featuring artwork that on quality science and its benefits for society. "He had accompanied a believed in talking honestly and directly, with no New Yorker feature funny business ... Nothing is more effective than on Varmus. The frank communication. proto-portrait only "The thing about Harold," he continued, "is that remained on view for he is relentlessly about content." Varmus was rather several days. less tolerant of the minutiae and procedure of bureaucracy, Hyman added. "When that stuff came putting science first was such a positive influence, up, his eyes glazed over and a look of boredom and and a spectacular asset for NIH and the American disapproval swept over his face .. .If you were so people." dense that you didn't know your conversation with Zerhouni then spoke of how influential Varmus him was over, he'd give another hint by going over had been in helping him to decide to take NIH's to his desk and reading his email. directorship. He divulged that he at first turned "Harold was all about high standards and being down the position, but reconsidered when the White honest about what good science was-this, and his House approached him again. Zerhouni won an integrity, made him a great boss. Harold always exception to the White House rule barring nominees protected your back. Even remarkably radical from talking with anyone about their job offer; "I reforms could go forward (under his direction), if told them I needed to talk to Harold Varmus about they bettered science. He really made the job 9f it, and they agreed. We met at the Harvard Club in being an institute director incredibly rewarding." New York, and those hours were very influential," Zerhouni said. "Ninety-five percent of what he told me turned out to be true." NIH Computer Pioneer Pratt Dies Zerhouni said Varmus's major strength was "winning bipartisan support for NIB. He created a r.. Arnold "Scotty" Warburton Pratt, first safe harbor for politicians at NIH. They can meet Ddirector of the Division of Computer here with no overriding political stress." Zerhouni Research and Technology (DCRT, the forerun­ said one could measure Varmus's status by the n~r of the Center for Information Technology), number of new buildings he launched, or by his died at the age of 83 on Jan. 4. He retired from effo_rt to double rbe budget within 5 years, but NIH in 1990, after 42 years of distinguished service. posited another way to measure the outcome of his Dr. Kenneth tenure: ''What if the director's portrait changed in Born in Bingha.mton, Roebuck is the N.Y., in 1920, he was new scientific size, relative to his or her accomplishments?" he an alumnus of Hobart review adminis­ College and received his trator of the Artist Jon R. medical degree from the AIDS and related Friedman spoke research 1 study University of Rochester briefly at the section at the ceremony. His School of Medicine in Center for portraits of 1946. He served on the Scientific Review. other scientific staff of New York He comes to CSR leaders Hospital until 1947, from Rush­ prompted and as a research Presb-yterian-St. Varmus to select associate at Cornell Luke's Medical him for his own Medical School from Dr. Arnold "Scotty'' Pratt Center. As an official portrait. 1947 to 1948. associate Pratt joined NIH in 1948 as a member of the professor of immunology and Laboratory of Physical Biology. One year later wondered. "The portraits would range in size from microbiology postage stamps to frescoes. And you, Harold, would he moved to the National Cancer Institute's there, he studied cover all the wall downstairs." Laboratory of Physiology, where he became regulatory Varmus then took the podium, thanking everyone head of the energy metabolism section. There mechanisms of for attending. ''This is a very happy event for me, in he investigated many biomedical research areas HlV gene part because I really like this portrait.. .I didn't expect where computer technology was applied. He expression. to say that. I'm also glad that it hangs here, not subsequently published several papers on Roebuck earned his Ph.D. in me." computational analysis of ultraviolet absorption spectra and the use of computers in cancer molecular biology He credited NIH with turning him into a scientist, from the Univer­ while he served as a clinical associate here from 1968 chemotherapy. In 1966, he was appointed the first direGtor of sity of California­ to 1970 as a way of avoiding the Vietnam war. He San Diego and then described why the background portrait of DCRT by then NIH director Dr. James Shan­ San Diego State Lavoisier-"founder of modern chemistry and non. Pratt's leadership was instrumental in University. His reductionist science"-was important to him. "The introducing an enduring vision for the applica­ research there painting celebrates science in four ways," he said: it tion of computer science and technology to focused on the emphasizes the connection between science and art· NIH programs. transcriptional it highlights the relationship between science and ' Pratt reccived many awards over the years, reg11lation of small mlclear words (Lavoisier can be seen working on his Traite including a Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Superior Service award in 1968, an RNA genes. In e/ementaire de Chimie or Elementary Treatise on postdoctoral Chemistry presented in a New Order according to honorary Doctor of Science degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, N.Y., and research at VG­ Modern Discoveries, published on Jan. 17, 1789); it San Diego, he depicts the benefits of science and marriage; and it a Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank studied the role shows the relationship of science to politics Award for the Senior Executive Service in 1980. of an activating (Lavoisier was a member of the French ruling class). Upon his retirement from NIH, he remarked protein (AP-1) on Varmus concluded that it was important to him "As fruitful as the past has been, the future ' HIV gene that the portrait "puts me in the backdrop of my promises even more as the ideas and aspirations expression and own image." He noted, ironically, that both he and of computer science are realized in the labora­ the regulation and activation of the orig~al David portrait occupy opposite ends of tory and the clinic." His vision of computers becoming an integral part of biomedical HIV in intestinal 84th St. m New York-his apartment is at one end, epithelial cells. and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which research endures at NIH. displays the roughly 7x9-foot portrait, is at the other. Survivors include his wife, Frances S. Pratt, After guests enjoyed a reception in Wilson Hall, the three daughters, Mary H. Grant of Pittsburgh, Vannus portrait was installed on the first floor of Susan B. Ahart of Charlotte and Janet S. Oliver Bldg. 1, just outside the director's office. Iii of Philadelphia, and five grandchildren. 'Invoking the Spirit' NLM Photo Exhibit Captures African Seminar To Discuss Computational Worship Traditions Approaches t o Biological Systems An explosion of biological data and dramatic o celebrate African American History Month advances in computer technology are providing T2003, the National Library of Medicine is scientists with the quantitative means to exhibiting "lnvoking the Spirit-Worship Traditions analyze, model and simulate complex biologi­ in the African World," a collection of more than 100 cal processes as never possible before. These photographs by New York Times photojournalist processes can range from the behavior of single Chester Higgins, Jr. The product of more than 25 molecules, through cellular processes such as years of travel and research, this photographic essay metabolic flux, to the behavior of individual documents the vitality and diversity of the global organisms and population dynamics. NIGMS African religious experience. The moving and is sponsoring a seminar series featuring dramatic works are on display from Feb. 10 to Mar. scientists on the cutting-edge of these new 7 in the first-floor lobby of approaches. the library's Lister Hill Each lecture will be held in Lipsett Amphithe­ Center weekdays from 8 a.m. ater, Bldg. 10, from 11 a.m. to noon. The to 3 p.m., or other times by schedule is as follows: special arrangement. They Feb. 27: Albert-Laszlo Barabasi, University of are on loan from the Notre Dame, "Hierarchical Network Structure Schomburg Center for of Protein,protein and Metabolic Interac­ Research in Black Culture, a tions." national research library in Mar. 27: Bernhard Palsson, University of the New York Public Library California, San Diego, "Bringing Genomes to system. Life: The Use of Genome Scale in silico "Invoking the Spirit" is Models." Ethiopian organized around a series of themes that explore May 29: Richard Young and David Gifford, Israelites, New worship practices across ethnic, cultural and both of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, York, 1989, by religious boundaries throughout the African world. "Regulation of Genome Expression in Living Chester Higgins, Documented are: the kinds of sacred places African Jr. Cells." peoples-in Africa and the Americas~ reate or June 5: Leslie Loew, University of Connecticut consecrate; the diverse spiritual leaders involved in Health Center, "The Virtual Cell Project." conducting worship activities; the universal use of For information and reasonable accommoda­ prayer as a formal means of communicating with tion call Kevin Lauderdale at 451•6446. God and the spirits; the ceremonies Africans use to pay tribute to God; and the roles of music and dance in religious ceremonies. The images presented here have been chosen from STEP Addresses lnteragency Cooperation Higgins' archive of almost a million photographs The STEP (staff training in extramural programs) that document the broader global African experi­ committee wiJI hold an administrative strategies ence. This is the third year that NLM has featured forum on the topic, "Coordinating Research Among photographs from the Schomburg collection as part Federal Agencies: Biodefense as a Case Study," on of its African American History Month observance. Thursday, Feb. 27 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. in the To arrange a tour of the exhibit or for more Natcher conference center's Rm. El -E2. information, contact David Nash, 496-1046. I Recent events have highlighted the need for a rapid, cooperative response among federal agencies, NIH Sailing Association Open House including the response to emerging biological The NIH Sailing Association invites everyone to its threats. However, each agency has different mjs­ open house on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at sions, policies and approaches to science, which can the FAES House on the corner of Old Georgetown complicate interagency cooperation. How can we Road and Cedar Lane. Would you like to learn to capitalize on the strengths of each to best accomplish sail? Does the idea of racing sailboats appeal to our shared national goals? Representatives from you? Can you imagine being part of a group filled multiple agencies will describe their differing with skilled sailing instructors, enthusiasts and boat approaches to science funding. Biodefense against owners? Membership includes instruction, sailboats naturally occurring organisms or terrorist actions for charter, racing, cruises, parties and fun. Admis,­ will be used as a case study to explore creative, sion is $5 at the door and includes pizza and sodas; coordinated solutions. The forum is offered for ESA $2 for beer or wine. For more information, visit credit. Iii www.recgov.org/sail. Ill