Great Migration What Skills Do Scientists Need to Succeed Outside the Ivory Tower?

THE GREAT MIGRATION WHAT SKILLS DO SCIENTISTS NEED TO SUCCEED OUTSIDE THE IVORY TOWER?

Valentin Fuster: Why Blavatnik Awards Recognize STEM Education Gets Boost Scientists Need Mentors 11 Young Innovators from National Science Foundation Grant

www.nyas.org • Autumn 2012 Board of Governors

Chair Vice Chair Treasurer NANCY ZIMPHER KENNETH L. DAVIS ROBERT CATELL

President [ex officio] Secretary [ex officio] ELLIS RUBINSTEIN LARRY SMITH

Governors LEN BLAVATNIK ELAINE FUCHS THOMAS C. JACKSON JOHN E. SEXTON MARY BRABECK JAY FURMAN JOHN E. KELLY III GEORGE E. THIBAULT NANCY CANTOR ALICE P. GAST MEHMOOD KHAN PAUL WALKER MARTIN CHALFIE BRIAN GREENE JEFFREY D. SACHS IRIS WEINSHALL MILTON COFIELD THOMAS L. HARRISON KATHE SACKLER FRANK WILCZEK MIKAEL DOLSTEN STEVE HOCHBERG MORTIMER D.A. SACKLER MICHAEL ZIGMAN

International Governors Chairman Emeritus Honorary Life Governors SETH F. BERKLEY TONI HOOVER TORSTEN N. WIESEL KAREN E. BURKE MANUEL CAMACHO SOLIS RAJENDRA K. PACHAURI HERBERT J. KAYDEN GERALD CHAN RUSSELL READ JOHN F. NIBLACK S. KRIS GOPALAKRISHNAN PAUL STOFFELS President’s Council

PETER AGRE AARON CIECHANOVER RODERICK MACKINNON ELLIOTT SIGAL Nobel Laureate & Univ. Nobel Laureate & Nobel Laureate & John CSO, Bristol-Myers Squibb Prof. and Director, Johns Distinguished Research Prof., D. Rockefeller, Jr. Prof., MICHAEL SOHLMAN Hopkins Malaria Research Tumor and Vascular Biology The Rockefeller Univ.; Former Exec. Director, The Inst., Dept. Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Investigator, HHMI Nobel Foundation Microbiology and Medicine, Technion-Israel GERALD J. MCDOUGALL PAUL STOFFELS On the cover: Immunology, Bloomberg Inst. of Tech., Haifa, Israel National Partner, Global CSO, Johnson & Johnson; Dmitry Merkushin / iStockphoto.com School of Public Health PETER DOHERTY Pharmaceutical & Health Worldwide Co-Chairman, RICHARD AXEL Nobel Laureate & Sciences Practice, Pharmaceuticals Group Nobel Laureate & Researcher, St. Jude PricewaterhouseCoopers MARC TESSIER-LAVIGNE Professor, Columbia Univ.; Children’s Research LLP President, The Rockefeller Univ. Investigator, HHMI Hospital, Memphis, TN; RICHARD MENSCHEL MARY ANN TIGHE LEE BABISS Univ. of Melbourne Sr. Director, Goldman Sachs CEO, New York Tri-State Exec. VP, Global Laboratory MIKAEL DOLSTEN RONAY MENSCHEL Region, CB Richard Ellis Services, Pharmaceutical President, Worldwide Chairman of the Board, SHIRLEY TILGHMAN Product Development Research and Development; Phipps Houses; Board of President, Princeton Univ. DAVID BALTIMORE Sr. VP, Pfizer Inc Overseers, Weill Cornell FRANK WALSH Nobel Laureate & President MARCELO EBRARD Medical College CEO, Ossianix, Inc. Emeritus, Caltech CASAUBÓN HEATHER GERALD WEISSMANN Executive Editor ETIENNE-EMILE BAULIEU Mayor, Mexico City MUNROE-BLOOM Prof. of Medicine, NYU Former President, French EDMOND H. FISCHER Principal and Vice- School of Medicine Diana Friedman Academy of Sciences Nobel Laureate & Prof. Chancellor, McGill Univ. JOHN WHITEHEAD PAUL BERG Emeritus, Dept. of FERID MURAD Former Chairman, Lower Nobel Laureate & Prof. Biochemistry, Univ. of Nobel Laureate & Director, Manhattan Development Art Director Emeritus, Dept. of Washington IMM Center for Cell Corp.; former Co-Chairman Biochemistry, Stanford Univ. JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN Signaling, The University of of Goldman Sachs Ash Ayman Shairzay LEN BLAVATNIK Nobel Laureate & Chairman, Texas at Houston GEORGE WHITESIDES Chairman, Access Industries Molecular Genetics, Univ. JOHN F. NIBLACK Mallinckrodt Prof. of GÜNTER BLOBEL of Texas Southwestern Former President, Pfizer Chemistry, Harvard Univ. Contributors Nobel Laureate & Director, Medical Center Global Research & TORSTEN N. WIESEL Douglas Braaten, Rebecca Cooney, Laboratory for Cell Biology, S. GOPALAKRISHNAN Development Nobel Laureate & former The Rockefeller Univ. Exec. Co-Chairman of the PAUL NURSE Secy. General, Human Marci A. Landsmann, Noah Rosenberg IRINA BOKOVA Board, Infosys Technologies Nobel Laureate & President, Frontier Science Program Director General, United Limited The Royal Society; former Organization; President Nations Educational, PAUL GREENGARD President, The Rockefeller Emeritus, The Rockefeller Editorial Office Scientific and Cultural Nobel Laureate & Prof. Univ. Univ. 7 World Trade Center Organization (UNESCO) of Molecular & Cellular ROBERT C. RICHARDSON FRANK WILCZEK SYDNEY BRENNER Neuroscience, The Nobel Laureate & Sr. Vice Nobel Laureate & Herman 250 Greenwich St, 40th Fl Nobel Laureate & Rockefeller Univ. Provost for Research, Feshbach Professor of New York, NY 10007-2157 Distinguished Prof., Salk Inst. GLENDA GREENWALD Floyd R. Newman Prof. of Physics, MIT MICHAEL S. BROWN President, Aspen Brain Physics, Cornell Univ. ERNST-LUDWIG Phone: 212.298.8645 Nobel Laureate & Prof. of Forum Foundation RICHARD ROBERTS WINNACKER Fax: 212.298.3655 Molecular Genetics, Univ. PETER GRUSS Nobel Laureate & CSO, Secy. General, Human of Texas Southwestern President, Max Planck New England Biolabs Frontier Science Program; Email: [email protected] Medical Center Gesellschaft, Germany EDWARD F. ROVER former Secy. General, LINDA BUCK WILLIAM A. HASELTINE President, The Dana European Research Council; Nobel Laureate & President, The Haseltine Foundation former President, Deutsche Membership Director Investigator for HHMI; Foundation for Medical F. SHERWOOD ROWLAND Forschungsgemeinschaft, member of the Fred Sciences and the Arts; Nobel Laureate & Prof. of Germany John F. Grifferty Hutchinson Cancer Chairman, Haseltine Global Chemistry & Earth Science, ANDREW WITTY Research Center Health, LLC Univ. of California, Irvine CEO, GlaxoSmithKline KAREN E. BURKE ERIC KANDEL BENGT SAMUELSSON DATO ZAKRI ABDUL HAMID Membership & Annals Orders Dermatologist & Research Nobel Laureate & Prof., Nobel Laureate & Prof., Science Advisor to the Phone: 212.298.8640 Scientist Physiology & Cell Biology, Medical & Physiological Prime Minister of Malaysia THOMAS R. CECH Columbia Univ. Chem., Karolinska Inst.; ELIAS ZERHOUNI Fax: 212.298.3650 Nobel Laureate & KIYOSHI KUROKAWA former Chairman, The President, Global Email: [email protected] Distinguished Prof., Univ. of Former Science Advisor to Nobel Foundation Research & Development, Colorado, Boulder the Prime Minister of Japan; IVAN SEIDENBERG Sanofi-Aventis MARTIN CHALFIE Prof., National Graduate Advisory Partner, Perella AHMED ZEWAIL Advertising Inquiries Nobel Laureate & William Institute for Policy Studies Weinberg Partners LP; former Nobel Laureate & Linus R. Kenan, Jr., Prof. of (GRIPS) Chairman of the Board, Verizon Pauling Chair of Chemistry Phone: 212.298.8636 Biological Sciences; LEON LEDERMAN ISMAIL SERAGELDIN and Physics, Caltech Email: [email protected] Chair, Dept. of Biological Nobel Laureate & Pritzker Director, Bibliotheca GUANGZHAO ZHOU Sciences, Columbia Univ. Prof. of Science, Illinois Alexandrina, The Library of Former Chairman, Chinese CECILIA CHAN Inst. of Tech.; Resident Alexandria, Egypt Association of Science & Visit the Academy online Managing Director, Gold Scholar, Illinois Math & PHILLIP A. SHARP Technology Avenue Ltd. Science Academy Nobel Laureate & Director, www.nyas.org GREGORY LUCIER McGovern Inst., MIT Center Chairman and CEO, Life for Cancer Research Technologies Corporation Autumn 2012 contents

Columns Member Memoir The Impact of Influence: 2 Letter from the President 10 The Academy takes on global Why Scientists Need Mentors challenges Renowned cardiologist Valentin Fuster believes that caring mentors can set a life, and perhaps the world, on the right path. 4 Inside the Academy News about Academy programs Cover Story and activities 12 The Great Migration With more scientists than ever seeking jobs outside academia, what skills do 7 Annals Highlights they need to succeed? Recent and upcoming Annals volumes Blavatnik Awards 19 Academy eBriefings 16 The Tipping Point Summaries of recent eBriefings The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists focuses on providing early-career support—critical for turning young researchers into tomorrow’s innovators. 25 Member News Awards, appointments, and From the Field announcements about Academy 22 First Images from the members Dark Energy Camera 26 Calendar What can light from distant galaxies tell us about the universe? Academy conferences and meetings in November, December, Event Recap January, and beyond 24 High-Risk, High-Reward Science Is it a good bet? Watch a special video recap to find out.

Donor Profile 28 Spreading STEM, Near and Far An innovative grant from the National Science Foundation allows the Academy to scale a simple idea for maximum impact. Letter from the President

The Academy’s Network ENCODE, the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements, is a project Takes on Global Challenges funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute and focuses on identifying all regions of transcription, transcription factor association, chromatin structure and histone modification in the human genome sequence.

Nature invites the New York Academy s you peruse this issue, Dr. Man- would be, which, if solved, could trans- of Sciences community to discover dana Arabi, founding director of form the health of this planet. Our mission presses us to the results via videos, Features The Sackler Institute for Nutri- On December 17-18, the world will be tionA Science at the New York Academy of attentive when The Sackler Institute holds “promote the resolution of and the collected research Sciences, and her team will be putting the an extraordinary conference to announce papers, and to explore the finishing touches on a series of white pa- the results of the many months of work by society’s global challenges thematic threads that run pers designed to create a roadmap for one its unprecedented network of volunteers. through science-based through them via the Nature of the world’s greatest challenges: improv- The work, however, will just be beginning. ENCODE explorer or the ing the nutrition of our citizenry. Once the research agenda is unveiled, solutions.” Nature ENCODE app. As you may know, more than 3 bil- the immediate question will be: How lion people are currently suffering from can the world best address these gaps in Remember you can under- and over-nutrition. Malnutrition knowledge? The pressure will immediate- also receive Nature as is not an isolated problem—it’s the un- ly emerge to raise funding, incentivize the create alliances that will lead to new knowl- part of your Academy derlying cause of many of society’s ma- formation of public/private partnerships, edge and solutions. These efforts constitute Professional Membership, jor health problems, including stunted and catalyze a combination of studies and our greatest challenge yet. And we will contact the Academy growth, chronic diseases such as diabetes on-the-ground proof-of-concept projects only succeed if we continue to be support- Customer Service and cardiovascular diseases, and some to begin to turn around the deteriorating ed by the greatest group of passionate and Department or access the forms of cancer and cognitive defects. health of our planet. innovative minds on the planet. Member Center online. And yet we know precious little about If your Academy were simply one of Those of you who read these columns the effects of nutrition on pregnant moth- the multinational consulting companies, will recall previous articles on the net- ers and their babies, on the biomarkers we would issue our report and move on to works of experts who have joined us to for malnutrition in the first 1,000 days of the next study. But we are not. Our mis- advise the Mayor of Mexico City on how life, on the interaction of infants’ bodies sion presses us to “promote the resolution to transform his society into a “knowl- and their microbiomes, and so on. of society’s global challenges through sci- edge-based” economy. You will also recall So it’s clear that Mandana’s charge— ence-based solutions.” In order to achieve hearing about the networks that came that of creating consensus on a global this goal, we must convert our network of together, first for President Medvedev of nutrition science research agenda—is of partners from an analytical alliance to a Russia, and now for Prime Minister Na- extraordinary importance. While Man- partnership for progress through imple- jib of Malaysia and Her Highness Sheikha dana is a highly respected expert in nutri- mentation. We are doing this in the area Mozah of Qatar, all with similar goals. tion with a decade’s experience improving of nutrition science and beyond. And now the networks are coming to- nutrition in places like the Middle East, In 2013, the Academy will be leading gether to drive public/private partnerships Africa, and Central and South America, alliances in nutrition, Alzheimer’s and that are global from the get-go. These net- this challenge will take a village. It is for the diseases of dementia, and perhaps works are people, members of our Acad- this reason that Mandana, through The in vaccine development as well. More- emy, and our greatest supporters. Through Produced with support from Sackler Institute, is coordinating an un- over, we will be transforming STEM (sci- our work, we honor them and all of you. precedented network of more than 80 of ence, technology, engineering, and math) Thank you for being a part of an organi- the world’s leading researchers and public learning through the scaling up of our zation that believes that science can solve health officials from more than 50 institu- New York-based afterschool program many of our most pressing global prob- tions—academic, industry, and govern- that places hundreds of volunteer young lems, if we just work together.  ment—on six continents. scientists in the most underserved areas This remarkable community of ex- of our city to mentor and inspire middle perts has come together without compen- school kids through hands-on science. sation in three working groups, meeting These and other new programs are tak- over 1 ½ years to hammer out a consen- ing your Academy beyond the boundaries Ellis Rubinstein nature.com/ENCODE sus on what the highest impact challenges of convening people in hopes that we can President & CEO

2 www.nyas.org

23999-14 Encode NYAS.indd 1 24/09/2012 11:13 ENCODE, the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements, is a project funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute and focuses on identifying all regions of transcription, transcription factor association, chromatin structure and histone modification in the human genome sequence.

Nature invites the New York Academy of Sciences community to discover the results via videos, Features and the collected research papers, and to explore the thematic threads that run through them via the Nature ENCODE explorer or the Nature ENCODE app.

Remember you can also receive Nature as part of your Academy Professional Membership, contact the Academy Customer Service Department or access the Member Center online.

Produced with support from

nature.com/ENCODE

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 3

23999-14 Encode NYAS.indd 1 24/09/2012 11:13 Inside the Academy Reports from the directors of Academy programs and news about Academy activities. Read more online at www.nyas.org/academynews.

Academy Hosts 194th Derek Yach, senior vice president of Global Health and Agricul- ture Policy, PepsiCo, discussed a recent transformation affecting Annual Meeting with the nutrition landscape. Yach recalled that years ago, food and beverage companies Special Guests were irked when the World Health Organization reported that

Speakers at the Annual Meeting provided an uplifting outlook for the Academy Governor Jeffrey D. Sachs discussed an age-old question, Academy. “Can the world feed itself?”

On September 20, the Academy held its 194th Annual Meet- people were eating too much fat, salt, and sugar—and recom- ing. Academy President and CEO Ellis Rubinstein kicked off the mended lifestyle changes. But now, says Yach, “Industry has tak- event with his State of the Academy address—giving members en a new path. Companies are transforming themselves to take good news about the Academy’s robust health, both financial a more sustainable path” and to be involved in creating solutions and organizational. to malnutrition. One of the ways companies such as PepsiCo Rubinstein put the news that the Academy had a surplus in are getting involved is by participating in The Sackler Institute’s its budget in context for those in attendance. He noted that in Leadership Council—working with other companies in a pre- 2002, the Academy had low membership, few conferences, a de- competitive alliance to bring good science to issues of nutrition. moralized staff, and was situated in a crumbling building. Now, Next, Academy Governor Jeffrey D. Sachs, director, The just 10 years later, the Academy boasts an international mem- Earth Institute at Columbia University and special advisor to bership of 24,000 and its enthusiastic and energetic staff puts on United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, talked about nearly 200 events and conferences a year, all from its modern how a 200-year-old question (Can the world feed itself?) is again and stunning perch on the 40th floor of 7 World Trade Center. urgently rearing its head. Rubinstein noted that this transformation was in no small He discussed how “incredibly complex” the issue of food sup- part due to the loyalty of members, as well as the development of ply is, related to three key areas: agriculture, human nutrition, and exciting Academy initiatives in areas such as Alzheimer’s disease the physical environment. Changes in all of these areas affect the and dementia, science education, and nutrition science. others. But despite the sometimes overwhelming nature of food The meeting featured a special focus on the significant supply issues, Sachs remains positive—noting the value of science achievements of the Academy’s Sackler Institute for Nutrition in solving these issues. “I see wondrous opportunities in The Sack-

Science and the state of the international nutrition landscape. ler Institute to provide the core science to make real progress.”  MICHAEL IAN PHOTOGRAPHY

4 www.nyas.org Academy Installs calories, but the food is lower in nutritional value, leading to overweight and undernourished individuals. Donor Wall, Celebrates Kathe Sackler noted that she initially viewed this problem from her perspective as a physician, thinking about how malnutri- Its Sponsors tion could affect individual health. However, she added that since

Academy Governor Paul Walker speaks before the unveiling of the Kathe and Mortimer Sackler stand in front of a plaque designating the Donor Wall. Academy as the home of The Sackler Institute.

On September 20, just prior to the Academy’s Annual Meeting, becoming a part of The Sackler Institute’s activities she now “has Academy donors and staff gathered to celebrate the unveiling come to see that nutrition is at the very core of our societal health,” of the new Donor Wall—a physical representation of the Acad- impacting economics, agriculture, and even war and peace. It is emy’s recognition of its generous supporters, which will reside for this reason that Sackler believes it is so important to support in the lobby. organizations like the Academy that bring together the key players Several donors spoke about why they support the Academy, in a given field to push progress forward.  including Academy Governor Paul Walker, managing director, Securities Division at Goldman Sachs, who supports the Acad- emy’s K-12 Education Program through Goldman Sachs Gives. Walker discussed how important quality STEM (science, technol- High Profile Event on ogy, engineering, and math) education is for students as they learn to become productive members of society—providing important Consciousness Sells Out, career options, as well as the capability for analytical thinking. Academy Governors Kathe and Mortimer Sackler, major Video Now Available funders of The Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science, were also on hand to celebrate the early accomplishments of the Institute. In front of a sold-out crowd, Nobel laureate psychologist Dan- In a speech to attendees, Mortimer Sackler made reference to iel Kahneman, philosopher David Chalmers, expert in primate the double burden of malnutrition—people are eating more cognition Laurie Santos, and physician-scientist Nicholas Schiff discussed the origin and nature of consciousness on October MICHAEL IAN PHOTOGRAPHY

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 5 Inside the Academy

10. The event, “The Thinking Ape: The Enigma of Human Con- afterschool programs. Groome runs the sciousness,” was moderated by Wisconsin Public Radio’s “To the Academy’s Afterschool STEM Mentoring Best of Our Knowledge” host Steve Paulson. It was part of The Program, which trains young scientists Emerging Science of Consciousness Series. to serve as mentors to middle school stu- If you missed this lively event, presented by the Nour Foun- dents in low-income districts. dation, “To the Best of Our Knowledge,” and the Academy, you During her testimony, Groome noted: can view a video of the event, and register for other upcoming “The New York City Science Education events in the series, at www.nyas.org/consciousness.  Initiative has a simple mission: to identify high-impact, scalable pathways for scientists to directly improve the number of children who are STEM-literate. Our theory of change relies Academy’s Education heavily on the core competencies of the Academy—to serve as a connector between the well-resourced scientific community Director Provides City and the under-resourced education community, including high- need students and teachers.” Council Testimony To view the full transcript of Groome’s testimony, visit www.nyas.org/AboutUs/Academy.aspx. On October 16, Meghan Groome, director of K-12 Education To learn more about the Afterschool STEM Mentoring Pro- and Science & the City at the Academy was asked to provide gram and the Academy’s new $2.95 million grant from the Na- testimony for the New York City Council on the topic of STEM tional Science Foundation, read the Donor Profile on page 28.  (science, technology, engineering, and math) opportunities in

Why I Support the Academy

“It is crucial to make sure that students today have the opportunity to become the scientists of tomorrow. The Academy has made this a priority by connecting New York’s teachers and students with scientists from around the world who are working and studying in the city’s universities. This is one way the Academy uses its global membership to make a difference locally. In today’s economy, inspiring New York City’s youth to love science will surely benefit our city and the global marketplace.” – Paul Walker Managing Director, Securities Division, Goldman Sachs

Support the Academy today at www.nyas.org/support or contact Kiryn Haslinger Hoffman at 212.298.8673 or email [email protected]

6 www.nyas.org Annals Highlights Annals is the premier publication of the Academy, offering review articles in topical areas and proceedings of conferences. Learn more and order copies at www.nyas.org/annals.

The Genome—Variation and Evolution

In the late 1700s (nearly three-quarters of there is still much to be learned. In par- example, replication occurs at differ- a century before Darwin’s On the Origin ticular, how do the ingredients of struc- ent rates and regional specificity, and of Species was published) William Cow- tural and sequence information function can produce different kinds of change per penned the lines, “Variety’s the very as a recipe to produce genetic change? A within the genome; spice of life, that gives it all its flavour.” new strand of research has emerged to in- » rethinking the implications of the ca- Strangely enough, Cowper’s words can be vestigate these questions by focusing on nonical DNA form and creating more applied to both our daily lives as well as the mechanisms that influence patterns of flexible and nontraditional methods the building blocks of life—genes. Indeed, variation and evolving systems. to analyze sequences; and variety, or more appropriately here, varia- In the new Annals volume Effects of » considering the role of variation and tion, is the very spice of genetic material Genome Structure and Sequence on Varia- mutations within systems, such as that gives the genome its flavor. tion and Evolution, this fascinating topic is in tumors, to create new treatment In the years since efforts to unpack explored through a series of short reviews targets. the genome began, we have discovered that cluster around three primary themes: Highlighting the recent formulations a great deal about its organization and » probing how the genetic structure of leading scientists, this Annals volume its intricate biochemical regulation. Yet, itself may contribute to variation—for gives a taste of some of the most important developments in the field of genetic evo- Effects of Genome Structure and Sequence on Variation and Evolution lution and prepares the way for the next Edited by Lynn H. Caporale course of innovative genomic research.  Volume 1267, September 2012 // ISBN 978-1-57331-887-7 ALFRED PASIEKA / SCIENCE SOURCE ALFRED PASIEKA

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 7 Annals Highlights

The Next Decade In Stroke Treatment

A surprising number of people cannot used thrombolytic treatment. However, name the symptoms of stroke off hand. only a small percentage of patients who To refresh the memory: someone need t-PA actually get the treatment. experiencing a stroke may have Thus, there is a significant -op difficulty moving one side of portunity to bolster aware- the face, one arm may be ness, both in the commu- noticeably weakened, and nity and the emergency speech may be slurred or room, to increase access difficult to understand. to this intervention. Of crucial importance, Thrombolysis and 911 should be called Acute Stroke Treat- as soon as symptoms ment: Preparing for are noticed. Fortu- the Next Decade nately, there is an showcases the efforts easy heuristic for of practitioners and remembering the researchers to define symptoms and a vision of acute critical nature of stroke treatment stroke—F.A.S.T. and guidelines for (face, arms, the next decade. speech, and The short reviews time). presented con- Time is in- sider stroke inter- deed of the es- vention and treat- sence. Throm- ments from many bolysis—the angles, including breaking down an examination of stroke-causing of population de- blood clots that mographics that occlude arteries may contribute to supplying blood an uptick in rates to the brain—is the of stroke; the effects first line of defense of aging on neuro- to reduce stroke- vasculature; how related complications to better coordinate and disability. Howev- transitions between er, the efficacy of throm- emergency medical ser- bolysis is dependent on vices and the emergency treatment being started within room; how to maximize the the first three hours after a stroke. thrombolytic treatment window; Administration of the enzyme tis- and advancements in diagnostic im- sue plasminogen activator (t-PA) has, thus aging and the development of new thera- far, been the most effective and commonly peutic devices. 

Thrombolysis and Acute Stroke Treatment: Preparing for the Next Decade Edited by Gregory J. del Zoppo and Andrei V. Alexandrov Volume 1268, September 2012 // ISBN 978-1-57331-869-3 LIVING ART ENTERPRISES, LLC / PHOTO RESEARCHERS, INC LIVING ART

8 www.nyas.org Recent Annals

The Neurosciences and Music IV: Learning and Memory Getting Deep—Brain Edited by Katie Overy (Institute for Stimulation Matures Music in Human and Social Development, Edinburgh, United Kingdom), Isabelle Peretz (Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada), Robert J. Zatorre (McGill University, Montreal, Canada), Luisa Lopez (“Eugenio Litta” Center for Developmental Disabilities, Rome, Italy), and Maria Majno (Fondazione Pierfranco e Luisa Mariani, Milan, Italy) Volume 1252, April 2012 ISBN 978-1-57331-841-9

Glycobiology of the Immune Response Edited by Gabriel Rabinovich (Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina), Brian Cobb (Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH), and Yvette van Kooyk (VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) Volume 1253, April 2012 ISBN 978-1-57331-839-6

Despite its relatively short history (only the ed with a new set of treatment options. Evolving Challenges last two decades or so), deep brain stimu- Though DBS brings renewed hope for in Promoting lation (DBS) has demonstrated remarkable some, it also brings a new set of ethical Cardiovascular Health promise as a novel treatment for several issues with which to contend. Edited by Valentin Fuster neurological and neuropsychiatric disor- The Annals volume, Brain Stimulation (Mount Sinai School of ders. DBS is most accurately considered in Neurology and Psychiatry: Advances, Medicine, New York, NY) a form of “neuromodulation”—in other Opportunities, and Challenges, is a col- Volume 1254, April 2012 words, it acts through electrical manipula- lection of short reviews covering some ISBN 978-1-57331-859-4 tion of neural signals to either downregu- of the key findings in the application of late or upregulate transmission, depending DBS, highlighting other promising areas on the specific underlying pathology. of treatment, and defining the ethical In the context of neurological dis- complications that must be resolved to orders, this represents a major break- move the field forward. Work collected netic stimulation; explores experimental through for difficult-to-treat diseases, in this volume characterizes important models of dystonia and animal models of such as Parkinson’s, that have limited re- methodological aspects of DBS, for ex- depression; and suggests changes to leg- sponses to medication. In addition, with ample, by identifying and harnessing islation to better inform how devices are DBS, individuals with intractable neu- appropriate signals for modulation, us- approved and brought to market and to ropsychiatric disorders are also providing techniques such as transcranial mag- protect consumers and patients. 

Brain Stimulation in Neurology and Psychiatry: Advances, Opportunities, and Challenges Edited by Timothy A. Pedley, Sarah H. Lisanby, Helen S. Mayberg, and Nicholas D. Schiff Volume 1265, August 2012 // ISBN 978-1-57331-877-8 SIMONE BRANDT / IMAGEBROKER CORBIS

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 9 Member Memoir The Impact of Influence: Why Scientists Need Mentors Renowned cardiologist Valentin Fuster believes that caring mentors can set a life, and perhaps the world, on the right path. bylineby Marci rule A. Landsmann

ou wouldn’t be surprised to find a world-renowned cardiologist at Gustave L. Levy Place in New York City or on Valentin Fuster First Street in Rochester, Minnesota. Sesame Street, how- Director of Mount Sinai Heart and Physician-in-Chief of Mount Sinai ever,Y might not seem like the logical destination for a cardiolo- Medical Center gist who has graced the halls of such esteemed research facilities MD: University of Barcelona as the Mayo Clinic and Mount Sinai Medical Center (MSMC). PhD: University of Edinburgh (presented at Barcelona University) But for someone who has made mentorship a cornerstone of his career, it seems almost fitting that Valentin Fuster, director Scientific Organizer: For the Academy’s “Evolving Challenges in Promoting Cardiovascular Health” in Barcelona, Spain in 2011 (see page of Mount Sinai Heart and physician-in-chief of MSMC, has in- 9 for information on the resulting Annals volume and view the eBriefing spired the latest Muppet. Dr. Valentin Ruster, the Muppet char- at www.nyas.org/Cardiovascular-eB) acter that Fuster inspired, aims to guide children down a healthi- Favorite Book: All works by Teillard de Chardin and Rabindranath Tagore er path, with the idea that healthier habits learned early can head off later disease (particularly the devastating heart disease Fuster Hobbies: Reading and bicycling in the Alps and Pyrenees has spent a lifetime studying and treating). In the first episode of Barrio Sésamo: Monstrous Supersanos (the Spanish equivalent of Sesame Street), Dr. Ruster enlightens “A number of advisors gave me advice and I did it without Grover on the functions of the heart, while on another, he hosts questioning because I had a sense that their experience and care a game show testing Cookie Monster on the difference between for me was pointing me in the right direction.” healthy and unhealthy food. Farreras encouraged Fuster to go to England, where he met “The other Muppets look up to him as a leader and a role Harold Sheehan, a pathologist. There, Fuster recalls studying a model,” says Fuster. Ironically, this fictional role mirrors Fuster’s tissue sample from a patient who suffered a heart attack. The real life and his belief in the power of individuals in setting us on blood clot was riddled with platelets. He asked Sheehan a ques- the right path. He attributes his success to the presence of people tion that launched his career: What do platelets have to do with guiding him toward good choices, perhaps in the same way an the heart attack? Sheenan answered, “We don’t know if it’s the educational program might steer children to make wiser nutri- cause or the result. You should study this for your thesis.” tional choices or exercise more frequently. So Fuster did just that, completing his thesis on the role of “We all need tutors,” he says. “I strongly believe that in my platelets in myocardial infarction at the University of Edinburgh, life, in terms of self satisfaction in my career, there’s no doubt Scotland. He worked closely with another mentor, Desmond Ju- that it’s due in large part to the fantastic mentors I had. [We] all lian, on the first coronary care unit in the world, and became the had something in common—chemistry. I had the feeling they first cardiologist to go into hematology. would do anything for me.” And then he headed to the United States, spending 11 years at the esteemed Mayo Clinic, meeting another mentor, Robert Guiding Hands Frye, the chairman of cardiology at the Mayo Clinic. “Occupy- Spanish-born Fuster, the only cardiologist to receive all four ma- ing high positions as they did,” Fuster recalls of the leadership in jor research awards from the world’s four major cardiovascular Rochester, Minn, “they were always dealing with us, the nobod- organizations, is quick to recall the bright minds that shaped his ies. But as people at the top, they believed in and supported the thinking from medical school to now. While at the University of people on the bottom.” Barcelona, Fuster met Pedro Farreras, a professor of medicine who wrote the major Spanish textbook on medicine and was Paying It Forward considered the top physician in the country. “He really guided As a mentee, Fuster learned the importance of setting the path me. The critical issue of [our] chemistry was that he had a heart for people like himself. For example, he started a program in attack at age 42. He told me to be a cardiologist, so I did,” he says. Spain that identifies young people at ages 15 and 16 who have

10 www.nyas.org Dr. Fuster greets Dr. Ruster, the Muppet created in his likeness to teach children and Barrio Sésamo: Monstrous Supersanos inhabitants heart-healthy behaviors.

an interest in science. The program provides grants for these 2006 (with Plaza Sesame, the Latin American version of Sesame youngsters to spend a month with senior investigators in Ma- Street ), he developed a research protocol that focused on devel- drid, where Fuster leads the Fundacion Centro Nacional de In- oping healthy habits in 2,000 children between the ages of three vestigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (equivalent to NHLBI, and six, giving them 40 hours of training on healthy lifestyles USA). Once they get a taste of high-level research, the majority and how to control their emotions. of these young scholars set out on scientific career paths, further The work isn’t purely for entertainment; Fuster applies his shaping the future of scientific discovery. standard of academic rigor to his work with Plaza Sesame as well. Fuster also made a special point to develop a new Forum for Analysis of 1,000 children, who were randomized to the study Young Investigators while serving as the president of the Ameri- approach or a conventional approach, showed that the interven- can Heart Association. He also started a yearly symposium in tions had a short-term impact on health habits and weight reduc- Washington DC to teach those interested in the field how to be- tion. In addition, the children were able to influence the habits of come young investigators. family members, including parents. The impact of this training “When people ask me to be a mentor, the first thing they ask will be published in The American Journal of Medicine, and was is how they can succeed,” he states. “I define success as develop- so successful that the program is now being rolled out to 20,000 ment of full satisfaction, which is quite different than how gen- children in Columbia, as well as children in Spain and England. eral society defines success. I tell them the whole thing is to do “Sesame was so impressed with the impact that health train- the right thing with the right talent and to be fulfilled.” ing can have on children, that they decided to create a Muppet This requires soul searching, and staying motivated—by to teach children the importance of health,” Fuster says. Fuster helping others and learning. He teaches his mentees about the recalls arriving at a meeting at Plaza Sesame and running into four Ts: time, talent, transmit positivity, and tutoring. He stresses his own likeness, albeit in a furry form. “When I got there, a taking 15 minutes to reflect on your priorities every day and dis- Muppet came up to me and said, ‘I am you.’” covering your unique talent. He underscores the importance of “I believe this world will only be changed by young people, measuring your worth by your own standards, and not measur- and they are the only ones who can take care of this chaos,” he ing yourself against your neighbors. And tutoring provides that says. “Therefore, I really focus a lot of my efforts on motivation motivation to others, much the way Dr. Ruster could impact the and mentorship and even health for young people.” lives of future adults. Fuster has made a lifetime of being led and leading. Whether researching, helping patients, or working with young research- The Youngest Change Agents ers, colleagues, or a Muppet character that promotes vegetables While Fuster acts as a mentor to many individuals, from high instead of cookies, Fuster’s goal is always to make an impact.  school students to early-career doctors and researchers, he sees Sesame Workshop as a way to provide critical advice even earlier Marci A. Landsmann is a medical writer in Philadelphia.

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 11 Cover Story IMAGEDEPOTPRO / ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

12 www.nyas.org The Great Migration With more scientists than ever seeking jobs outside academia, what skills will they need to succeed?

by Diana Friedman

wenty-five years ago, Randall (Randy) Ribaudo was liv- times.” Over time, Ribaudo’s business acumen grew. He worked ing a researcher’s dream: He graduated with his PhD in closely with salesmen—“really good salesmen, not people just immunology in the late ‘80s, nabbed a postdoctoral po- out of undergrad”—who, unknowingly, taught him the basics of Tsition at the National Institutes of Health, and went on to run advanced communication. his own lab in the National Cancer Institute. But, because he When the biotech bubble burst many years, and several com- started on the research path relatively late (he would not be up panies, later, Ribaudo again reevaluated his career options. He for tenure until age 44) and since he did not have an MD (a po- had learned so much throughout his trials and tribulations in tential detriment to his chances for tenure), he wondered what industry that he decided to partner up with a fellow entrepre- other career paths he might pursue with his PhD training. It was neur (Larry Petcovic) and a fellow PhD (Todd Pihl) to make the by “dumb luck,” as Ribaudo recounts, that he connected with a transition easier on others. small biotech company, where he was eventually hired. “Larry would always talk about scientists as leaders, how they The transition was exciting—full of peaks, but also of valleys. were untapped resources—they had tremendous capability and Early on in his new job, Ribaudo was asked to review a business brilliance that was not being used,” says Ribaudo. Together, the plan. He had never looked at one before in his life—but because three men went on to form Human Workflows LLC, a company he was hired as a ‘scientific expert,’ he was loath to admit there designed to help PhD-trained scientists discover their potential was something he didn’t know how to do. outside of academic labs. They run a course called SciPhD that “It was truly trial by fire,” says Ribaudo. “My street smarts is based on the premise that “for entry-level scientists to be com- helped me hang on, but I probably should have been fired a few petitive and successful in industry jobs, they must master six

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 13 Cover Story

A Matter of Trust: The case for better communication skills

Linda Miller believes that communication skills are exponentially on trial—people ask ‘why should your program be spared?’” more important for scientists today than they were 20 years ago. The point Miller is making is not one of doom and gloom, but The reason? Public perception. rather one that underscores the need for better outreach on the “Twenty years ago there was an almost knee-jerk trust by part of scientists. “I think it’s much more important that scien- the American public in terms of research. It was a given that tists are able to justify why they are doing what they are doing” scientific research was being done for the greater good and that and then to impart that understanding to the general public. our FDA was one to mimic around the world.” But, says Miller, Until fairly recently “scientists were these wild, free birds,” the honeymoon is over. focusing on research, and not really dealing with people issues, So what happened? It was a combination of factors—“death says Miller. But, they now have to learn to more effectively deal by a thousand cuts, if you will.” Several high-profile cases of sci- with an inquiring public. The outcome—more communication- entific fraud, the widespread HIV epidemic (and the feeling that savvy scientists—is good for everyone, she believes. “More drugs were not being developed and approved fast enough), and science these days is ‘big science’—big collaborations. It politicized debates over climate change all changed Americans’ behooves scientists to learn basic collaboration and negotiation attitudes towards scientific research, says Miller. Confounding skills, not just to communicate to the public, but to better work the problem, across-the-board budget cuts have “put science with their fellow scientists from around the world.”

categories of skills: leadership and supervision, project manage- while only 37% actually achieve that goal—tell a similar story.3 ment, communications, negotiation, finance, and networking.” The primary job market for PhDs is no longer the ivory tower. “Doctoral training is currently focused on building technical But not all see this fact as decidedly negative. “The fact that and subject matter expertise for research-based careers. So many a science PhD can be leveraged in a variety of ways means that professional skills that are important outside academia are either scientists are no longer constrained in their options. There is a lacking or deemphasized,” says Monica Kerr, director of Science growing appreciation of the value PhD-trained scientists bring Alliance, the Academy’s program for graduate and postdoctoral to roles beyond research,” says Kerr. students. For the past several years, Kerr has teamed up with “Industry is more respected now than it was,” says Miller, Ribaudo and Petcovic to offer the Science Alliance course “From who points out that industry and academia are not at odds, but Scientist to CSO: Leadership & Management Development for rather two points on a continuum. “It’s better recognized now Careers in Business and Industry.” that most pharmaceutical companies have skills in areas that are complementary to skills that academic research centers have.” No Vacancies The question is then, what are the alternatives? The massive influx of PhD-prepared scientists into non-traditional fields, such as biotechnology, patent law, business devel- Catch-22 opment, science writing, sales, consulting, and medical commu- “One of the biggest reasons postdocs are rejected is that they nications, is not always the result of increased interest on the are overqualified and under-experienced,” says Ribaudo. “But part of the researchers. Instead, a convergence of factors has led how can you get experience without experience? No one would to a sometimes stinging truth—“there’s not room for everyone to ever get into a new field.” To Ribaudo, the key to breaking into become an academic,” says Linda Miller, associate dean for basic any non-traditional job field is to show that you have theskills science at New York University. that are needed in that field—even if you don’t have that field on There has been much debate among the scientific and higher your resume. education communities over the solution to such a problem— “Don’t think for a moment that you are going to stand head overhaul the content of PhD programs to better encapsulate and shoulders above 700 other molecular biology PhDs that are training for alternative careers; drastically cut down enrollment applying [to industry jobs] because of your gene sequencing in PhD programs, thus dampening production of the so-called skills; they can all do that,” says Ribaudo. ‘PhD machine;’ and many more.1 But the factors involved in Instead, employers look for people who can do the science, but this perfect storm of PhD overproduction seem to be relatively also have what it takes to lead, work well in teams, and communi- straightforward: widespread budget cuts at the federal and state cate effectively, says Lauren Celano, co-founder and CEO of Propel levels, tenured researchers not retiring due to economic factors, Careers, a life sciences search and career development firm, and and increased admission to PhD programs. guest speaker at the Science Alliance course, “Making the Leap: A “The majority of jobs for science and engineering PhD holders Non-Academic Career Planning & Job Search Boot Camp.” are now in industry and other non-academic settings,” says Kerr. In fact, only 14% of PhD graduates go on to careers in academia, Skill Support according to a Washington Post article from July 2012.2 Other “Working in cross-matrix teams, being able to communicate stats—61% of postdocs aim to become tenure-track professors, with people who aren’t your peers, using empathy, learning to

14 www.nyas.org Lauren Celano’s Tips The primary job market for Building Your Brand for PhDs is no longer » Present yourself as an expert in area X; you’re not just a job title. the ivory tower. » Think about your value-add to companies. Be clear about what you can bring to the table. » Consider taking a job at a contract lab. You’ll use many of the same lab techniques, but in a more business-focused environment; it’s a great learning opportunity. » Make it easy for companies to find you: set up a LinkedIn profile with a professional picture. » Engage in face-to-face networking. » Ask for personal referrals to new contacts when possible. » Set up a Google alert or join the LinkedIn pages for companies you are interested in joining to stay up to date on their activities.

report outcomes—these are things I didn’t understand during my first industry job,” says Ribaudo. And yet these are the very skills for which employers may be looking. Join the Science Alliance: Upcoming Celano notes another trend she has observed among industry career development courses at the employers—they seek employees who can (and want to) learn Academy new things. “A lot of companies look for people who can understand the many components that make up the entire pharmaceutical industry. For example, a toxicologist might understand both chemistry and biology.” Performing research in academic labs—known for their specialization—may not provide that broad perspective, so students are looking beyond their PhD programs to get the skills necessary for the range and reality of scientific career options. Nov 30 – Dec 1 Making the Leap: A Non-Academic Career Planning & “There tend to be more resources on campus for faculty Job Search Boot Camp preparation and so we try to focus on the gaps,” says Kerr of the This two-day boot camp will teach young scientists how to explore different Science Alliance courses. The good news, says Ribaudo, is that career paths, determine which ones are a good fit, and successfully prepare “scientists actually have many of these skills, despite some peo- and apply for potential jobs. Speakers include: Melanie Sinche (Harvard ple’s perceptions that they don’t. They just need to understand University), Keith Micoli (New York University School of Medicine), Lau- the importance of these skills, get in touch with them, and get ren Celano (Propel Careers), Laura Stark Malisheski (Harvard University), even better at them.”  and Sharon Belden Castonguay (Baruch College).

Diana Friedman is executive editor of The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine.

References 1. McCook, A. (2011, April 21). Rethinking PhDs. Nature, 472,280-282. Fri, Dec 14 • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 2. Vastag, B. (2012, July 7). U.S. pushes for more scientists, Communicating Science to the Public but the jobs aren’t there. Washington Post Online. This interactive workshop teaches presentation strategies for scientists to Accessed at www.washingtonpost.com/national/health- effectively communicate their work to the general public or to individuals science/us-pushes-for-more-scientists-but-the-jobs-arent- outside of their field. The speaker will be Melissa Marshall from Pennsylva- there/2012/07/07/gJQAZJpQUW_story.html nia State University. 3. Dance, A. The best of times and the worst of times. HHMI To see more courses and events visit Bulletin. Accessed at www.hhmi.org/bulletin/may2011/ www.nyas.org/sciencealliance features/postdoc_life.html.

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 15 Blavatnik Awards The Tipping Point The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists focuses on providing early-career support—critical for turning young researchers into tomorrow’s innovators. bylineby Noah rule Rosenberg

n a weekday morning in late summer, Valentino To- Tosatti, who was a 2011 postdoctoral winner while working satti sounded out of breath, but utterly content. He had in Columbia University’s Department of Mathematics, says he just arrived on the Northwestern University campus, used a portion of his unrestricted funds to travel to China for havingO ridden his bicycle from his new apartment nearby. Birds a month and a half. There, he worked with a Chinese colleague could be heard chirping in the background, and Tosatti, a fast- who was interested in applying mathematical applications to talking 31-year-old mathematician, seemed chipper and excited. string theory and physics. It was his first week on campus after having been hired as an “It makes a huge difference, especially in math, because we associate professor. don’t have big research labs,” Tosatti says of the Blavatnik funds. Tosatti, however, had not been offered a tenure-track posi- “Therefore, our grants and financial resources are not that great. tion at Northwestern. Instead, the University had awarded him Even when universities have grants in math it’s not that much.” flat-out tenure, providing him with a sense of purpose and secu- Tosatti also used part of the award to fund a one-day conference rity that young PhDs can often only dream about. at Columbia on geometry and differential equations—“like the So, there was Tosatti, buying new furniture and exploring Einstein equations,” he says by way of an explanation. the beautiful Evanston, Illinois, campus, as wide-eyed as the in- Another 2011 postdoctoral winner, Franck Oury, who works coming freshmen moving into dorms and spilling onto quads all in Columbia University’s Department of Genetics and Develop- around him. ment, says he planned to use some of his award money to help Tosatti admits, however, that his picture-perfect career may pay for travel to upcoming job interviews for faculty research have remained but a dream was it not for a special award he re- positions, and also to subsidize his daughter’s pre-school tuition. ceived in 2011. “I guess it’s been sort of an avalanche effect since “In the U.S., daycare is kind of expensive so it’ll be a big help,” the Blavatnik,” he says, chuckling slightly, but only because the says Oury, 34, originally from eastern France. last few years of his life have been such an adventure. Others have found their own, often enterprising, uses for And so it goes with legions of young scientists, engineers, the money. One past recipient used the award to start her own and mathematicians from across the tri-state area of New York, behavioral psychology lab; another paid an annual salary to his New Jersey, and Connecticut. Every year since 2007, the most lab’s postdoctoral researcher; others donate their endowments accomplished among them have been nominated for the New back to their host institution in order to enhance their depart- York Academy of Sciences’ Blavatnik Awards for Young Scien- ment’s development pipeline. tists competition. A Better World Through Science Investing in Potential Still, all Blavatnik Award recipients cite a significance that ex- The importance and impact of the awards have grown substan- tends far beyond the financial, something that is imperative to tially since their inception in 2007. Today the awards often serve the mission of the Blavatnik Family Foundation, which endows as pathways for future success—barometers for the scientific po- the awards. Len Blavatnik, the founder and chairman of Access tential of recipients like Valentino Tosatti, who otherwise might Industries and head of the Foundation, underscores the impor- struggle for research funding, cope with a lack of recognition, tance of acknowledgment and exposure for the groundbreaking and hop between jobs without the security of tenure. work of young scientists. Indeed, honorees speak of a double-boost they experience “Recognizing and supporting young scientists is critical if upon earning a Blavatnik Award. For starters, they receive un- we are to successfully address global challenges,” says Blavat- restricted funds aimed at fostering future breakthroughs in nik, who also sits on the Academy’s Board of Governors. “Their research and innovation. Winners in the faculty category are exceptional discoveries represent our future and our hope for endowed with $25,000, while faculty finalists receive $10,000. a better world for all.” The Foundation, Blavatnik notes, looks Postdoctoral winners are awarded $15,000 in unrestricted funds, forward “to encouraging many more brilliant young scientists while postdoctoral finalists receive $5,000. in the years ahead as they pursue their ground-breaking work.” Financial support, many past recipients stress, is hugely in- Beatrice Renault, the Academy’s senior science advisor in fluential when it comes to expanding research in the life and charge of the Blavatnik Awards, says the responsibility of the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering—the main Bla- next generation of scientists is crystal clear: to develop and nur- vatnik Award domains comprised by the 35 disciplines recog- ture “the skills and motivations necessary to tackle research top- nized by the awards.

16 www.nyas.org Winners of the 2011 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists, (from left to right) Valentino Tosatti, Johannes Gehrke, and Franck Oury, take a moment to pose with their medals at the Academy’s Science & the City Gala. ics that will impact not only their own disciplines, but also the it deserves,” Skelly adds. “It really shows how deep the pool of general public at large.” talent is as well.” On a personal level, Skelly says he is pleased But Renault stresses that such emerging scientific leaders that the awards continue to expand in new directions and that cannot do it alone. “They need support, mentorship, and recog- they are beginning to include the field-based biological sciences nition at the critical moment when they transition from ‘young (including his own disciplinary focus: ecology). scientist’ to leader and innovator in their scientific field,” she says. But any young scientist, regardless of his or her discipline, The Blavatnik Awards, Renault adds, “provide the encour- benefits tremendously from the exposure that comes with an agement necessary for emerging scientists to take those leaps award as prestigious as a Blavatnik, Skelly emphasizes, echoing that lead to true impact.” the words spoken by several recipients, past and present. “It’s just never been more challenging for younger faculty A Rigorous Journey members to get out of the blocks,” Skelly says. “The federal fund- With the goal of broadening the impact of the awards in mind, ing scene has been a really tough place. Even really great younger the 2012 program has been a major step in the right direction. folks are having trouble getting funding.” One hundred and seventy-four young science and engineering Skelly continues: “There’s no question that these kinds of professionals submitted applications—the largest pool of appli- awards give an independent validation to the folks that receive cants in the program’s history. them.” And he cannot help but be pleased that a fellow Yale fac- But submitting a Blavatnik Award application, which follows ulty member, Alison Galvani, picked up a 2012 Blavatnik Award. a lengthy nomination process, is just the beginning of a rigorous “It can be a particular struggle to secure funding in untra- months-long journey. Deans at universities in the tri-state area ditional research areas,” explains Galvani, associate professor serve as gatekeepers for nominees; they nominate only those re- of epidemiology at Yale University’s School of Public Health. searchers who they feel represent the best work of their organiza- In particular, she notes the difficulty, in her case, of obtaining tions. Applications are later scrutinized by a panel of more than adequate funding to explore the applications of mathematical 60 expert judges. Judges evaluate the quality, impact, and nov- modeling for public health challenges. elty of each application in the 35 separate disciplines. Safeguards “Not only is the Blavatnik Award an exciting honor on a per- are in place to ensure integrity and to maximize inclusiveness in sonal level,” she says, “it also brings recognition more generally the awards. For instance, judges never evaluate candidates from to the burgeoning field of epidemiological modeling.” their own institution. David Skelly, the associate dean of research at Yale Uni- Opening Doors versity’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, knows A 2007 faculty finalist, Kathryn Uhrich was one of the first Bla- firsthand the rigors of the Blavatnik Awards process. He began vatnik Award recipients. Having witnessed the stature and im- judging in 2011, served again in 2012, and is eager to continue. portance of the awards grow exponentially, she has evolved into “These are people doing phenomenal work in all branches of the a sort of Blavatnik evangelist for her students at Rutgers Univer- sciences,” Skelly says, “and it’s really fantastic to be part of shin- sity, where she is now dean of mathematics and physical sciences ing a light on some of the work they’re doing.” and professor of chemistry and chemical biology. “There’s so much amazing science that goes on in this region, Putting Science at the Forefront and it’s a great opportunity to recognize that,” Uhrich says. “I “It’s much easier for people out there to get turned on by uni- view it as very prestigious. I work to get my Rutgers people to versity sports and so on, and this is a way that the intellectual apply for the Blavatnik Awards competition every year.” mission of our institution gets a bit of the media attention that

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 17 Blavatnik Awards

“The fact that you’re getting recognition so early on is a con- fidence builder,” Uhrich continues. “It’s also an opportunity to The 2012 Blavatnik Awards for Young network with individuals in the region. You’re rubbing shoulders Scientists: Winners and Finalists with the best of the best.” To be sure, Tosatti sounds a bit star struck as he recalls the night of the Blavatnik Awards ceremony in 2011. “Sitting on my left was Jim Watson, the Nobel prize winner,” Tosatti remembers with a laugh, rattling off an all-star list of leading scientific minds. “And then there was Mr. Blavatnik and his wife. There were a lot of distinguished guests. It was something totally new to me.” But Tosatti and other Blavatnik recipients say that, networking aside, the true value of the awards lies in their ability to inspire—to encourage more production and ingenuity from emerging leaders. For his part, Oury is genuinely passionate and excited as he explains his own research: demonstrating that a hormone released by the skeleton regulates male fertility. Please join the Academy and the Blavatnik Family Founda- “Each organ is talking to one other, and this is necessary for tion in congratulating the winners of the sixth annual Blavatnik the well-being of the body,” Oury says, noting that he and his Awards for Young Scientists. Of the 11 postdoctoral and team are just getting started. “We are not doing this job for the faculty scientists selected as finalists, an unprecedented nine awards. But it’s always nice when your work is appreciated by winners were selected. somebody,” Oury adds. He says he is looking forward to seeing where his Blavatnik Faculty Winners Postdoctoral Winners affiliation will lead. “This award is very helpful for getting interviews; it shows the job you did was evaluated and selected by a B. Andrei Bernevig Andrey Feklistov community,” he notes. “It gives some value to your career.” Condensed Matter Physics Structural Biology This value, Skelly stresses, is all the more important “because Princeton University The Rockefeller University the sound-bite culture that is happening all over the place is also happening in the sciences. It sends a signal of the importance Jason Fridley Michael Hahn of science in society,” he adds, “and this is a message we need to Ecology & Ecological Astrophysics hear more often these days.” The Blavatnik Awards “hopefully Economics Columbia University can be, in some sense, self-fulfilling,” Skelly said. Syracuse University Robert Johnston Success Begets Success Alison Galvani Developmental Biology Such a prophecy seems to have paid off for Tosatti, who landed Public Health & Applied New York University a Sloan Research Fellowship very shortly after earning his Bla- Mathematics vatnik Award, and later, the tenured position at Northwestern, Yale University Elisa Oricchio where he is prepared to leave his mark. Clinical Medicine Most of the time, Tosatti says, for a scientific researcher, “you Assaf Naor Memorial Sloan-Kettering are just thinking about a problem and you are stuck.” Those Mathematics & Computer Cancer Center breakthrough moments, he says, portrayed in sweeping journal Science articles, books, and film, are rare. New York University Nicholas Stavropoulos But when success happens, Tosatti adds, “You write a paper. Genetics & Genomics And if the idea is really good, the paper becomes kind of impor- Faculty Finalists The Rockefeller University tant and a lot of people stop to read it.” However, it takes a long time and an incredibly large amount of work and perseverance— Michael Collins and, of course, support and recognition—to get to this point. Computer Science Without hesitating, Tosatti said that his Blavatnik Award has Columbia University undoubtedly accelerated his career; the award helped him and other young scientists reach that vital tipping point. “It really has Wei Min a direct impact,” he says, headed across campus to continue his Physical Chemistry research. “I feel really lucky to have been chosen.”  Columbia University

Noah Rosenberg is a New York City-based journalist.

18 www.nyas.org Academy eBriefings eBriefings are online multimedia reports documenting recent Academy events. Find new and noteworthy ones previewed here and more at www.nyas.org/eBriefings.

Integrating Student Research into the Medical School Curriculum

aboratory experimentation has been included in physi- For these reasons and others, some argue that immersion cian training since at least 1839 when Yale University in a research experience should be a core component of medi- first incorporated a research thesis into its medical school cal training, whether the student intends to pursue a career as a graduationL requirements. While Yale has maintained that cur- translational scientist or as a rural primary care physician. Nev- ricular requirement ever since, and many other medical schools ertheless, others question the wisdom of mandating a research have incorporated research programs, conducting research is experience, especially when so much required content is already not universally required to earn an MD. crammed into the modern medical school curriculum. Educators say that undertaking basic research can help medi- Before loading another core requirement onto students, cal school students sharpen the analytical, creative, and critical- there are questions to be answered: Does research experience thinking skills that the practice of medicine demands. And in create a better physician? Does it ultimately lead to improved the contemporary environment of rapidly advancing science, patient care? Is it misguided to encourage MDs-in-training to uniting medical education with scientific research is seen as a consider careers in research when competition for investigator crucial way to ensure that scientific discoveries are translated to posts is already so intense that many PhDs are forced to find clinical practice as expediently as possible. alternative careers? Exposing medical students to research might also lead some On February 24, 2012, the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, to consider career paths that include investigation—historically Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and the Academy presented a rarity among medical school graduates. The outcome of a stu- “Integrating Student Research into the Medical School Cur- dent’s research project aside, the opportunity for a physician- riculum,” a symposium exploring these questions as well as the in-training to develop a relationship with a research mentor is logistical challenges of incorporating research into the medical considered by many to be invaluable, with career-long benefits. school curriculum. Medical educators representing a cross-sec- tion of U.S. institutions described the nuts and bolts of their research programs and explored the pros and cons of mandatory On the Web medical student research for diverse types of medical careers. Full eBriefing by Adrienne J. Burke: A panel of current medical students and recent graduates de- www.nyas.org/MedEdResearch-eB scribed their own research experiences and shared opinions for how research experiences could be improved. 

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 19 Academy eBriefings

HIV/AIDS Update: Global Capacity Building Prevention, Treatment, in Nutrition Science: and Beyond Training Future Practitioners, Empowering Future Leaders

The quest to develop an effective HIV vaccine began nearly 30 years ago. Now, after several disappointing attempts, positive results are emerging. In 2009, the RV144 clinical trial in Thailand was the first successful trial of an HIV vaccine, achieving a 31% One of the goals of The Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science reduction in the rate of new HIV infections using a novel proto- at the New York Academy of Sciences is to promote a global nu- col combining two single agent vaccines. trition science community through public–private partnerships. In the three years since this trial researchers have begun While there is extensive support for cutting-edge research and to unravel the vaccine’s mode of action and to understand key for applying this research to nutrition science, progress in build- mechanisms underlying its success. These new analyses offer ing capacity—creating a network of leaders who are able to ap- clues into how to develop a better, more targeted HIV vaccine preciate and to navigate the complex nexus at which nutrition that will eliminate infection in a broad population. science resides—remains tenuous. Moreover, developing high- The “HIV/AIDS Update: Prevention, Treatment, and Be- impact strategies to address the paradoxical twin burdens of un- yond” symposium, presented on May 11, 2012 by the Acad- der- and over-nutrition continues to be a struggle, both within emy’s Vaccine Science Discussion Group, focused on efforts to the U.S. and globally. improve vaccine design, based on results from the clinical trials On June 1, 2012, The Sackler Institute and the Academy pre- and on new information about the structure of the viral envelope sented a conference titled “Global Capacity Building in Nutri- protein. Researchers presented work on the roles of neutralizing tion Science: Training Future Practitioners, Empowering Future and non-neutralizing antibodies in protecting against HIV, and Leaders.” The conference had a multisectoral and international discussed the use of non-human primate models in the design focus, and sought to address capacity building among all stake- and testing of vaccines. holders—from students to educators, researchers to practitio- Presenting updates on the search for a cure for AIDS, re- ners, and constituents to leaders. searchers discussed the challenge of eliminating viral reser- Prominent speakers from various spheres, including educa- voirs and reported on using improved humanized mice models tion, industry, and non-profits, shared their views on some of the to study novel therapeutics. The symposium drew attention to most critical challenges to capacity building in nutrition science. future directions for HIV vaccine research and ended with a Speakers also presented their visions of how these challenges spirited mock debate over whether the first FDA-approved HIV could be overcome—by developing capable leadership; closing vaccine would be a neutralizing or non-neutralizing antibody the knowledge and skill divide between developed and develop- vaccine; highlighting the importance of antibodies in HIV infec- ing nations; harnessing the strengths of public-private partner- tion and the challenges involved in developing a successful HIV ships; and making changes to policy and infrastructure.  vaccine. 

On the Web On the Web Full eBriefing by Roslyn Yee: Full eBriefing by Judy Keen:www.nyas.org/HIV2012-eB www.nyas.org/GlobalCapacityBuilding-eB

20 www.nyas.org A Career Development Recent eBriefings and Entrepreneurship New Thoughts about Causes, Prevention, Workshop and Treatment of Childhood Obesity www.nyas.org/ChildhoodObesity-eB

Phosphatidylserine Asymmetry and Cell Survival www.nyas.org/psasymmetry-eB

Cancer Vaccines and Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunomodulation www.nyas.org/CancerVaccines-eB

Targeting the Vasculature in Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Cognitive Impairment www.nyas.org/vasculature-eB

Imaging Neurodegeneration The Academy and the Skolkovo Foundation of the Russian Fed- and Repair in Multiple Sclerosis eration co-hosted a career development workshop for young www.nyas.org/MSImaging-eB Russian scientists on June 5–7, 2012. The meeting drew an enthusiastic crowd of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and The Implications of a early-stage academic faculty, all trying to navigate the complex Data-driven Built Environment career landscape of a country still reinventing itself after decades www.nyas.org/DataBuiltConf-eB of centrally-planned Soviet administration. Randy Ribaudo and Larry Petcovic of Human Workflows The Science Behind the Hype: LLC and SciPhD Training Programs conducted the first day’s Resveratrol in Wine & Chocolate workshop, which focused on finding a job in the corporate www.nyas.org/wineandchocolate-eB world. Ribaudo and Petcovic collaborate with the Academy’s Science Alliance program to offer business and job skill prepara- From Colloidal Systems tion for scientists. They described how, in order to get corporate to Frustrated Magnets jobs, academically trained scientists need to understand the lan- www.nyas.org/gmcmm7-eB guage of private industry. Next, three Russian panelists: Oleg Alekseev, Vice President Can Oysters Save New York Harbor? of the Skolkovo Foundation; Alexander Kuleshov, Director of www.nyas.org/Oysters-eB the A. Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Prob- lems; and Dmitry Peskov, Director of the Young Professionals Department of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (a govern- The Science of Local Food ment-mandated agency to promote entrepreneurship and mod- www.nyas.org/localfood-eB ernization in Russia), assessed career options for the country’s young scientists. Monica Kerr, director of Science Alliance, led the second Fetal Programming and day’s session, which focused on entrepreneurship. Kerr ex- Environmental Exposures plained the risks and benefits of that career path and how to as- www.nyas.org/fetalprogramming-eB sess one’s entrepreneurial qualifications. Following the presentation on entrepreneurship, Gaidar Magdanurov of Microsoft Seed Fund and Albert Yefimov, director of Skolkovo IT Cluster Projects, gave the Russian perspective on Russian opportunities in startups. 

On the Web Full eBriefing by Alan Dove: www.nyas.org/CareerEntrepreneurship-eB

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 21 From the Field

The Blanco telescope in Chile.

First Images: The Dark Energy Camera

n behalf of the Dark Energy Survey collaboration, Fermilab and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) released the first images in the hunt for dark energy in September 2012. OAccording to the NOAO: Eight billion years ago, rays of light from distant galaxies began their long journey to Earth. That ancient starlight has now found its way to a mountaintop in Chile, where the newly constructed Dark Energy Camera, the most powerful sky-mapping machine ever created, has captured and recorded it for the first time. That light may hold within it the answer to one of the biggest mysteries in physics–why the expansion of the universe is speeding up. For more information, visit www.darkenergysurvey.org.  T. ABBOTT AND NOAO / AURA NSF T.

22 www.nyas.org Zoomed-in image from the Dark Energy Camera of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365, in the Fornax cluster of galaxies, which lies about 60 million light years from Earth.

Zoomed-in image of the Fornax cluster of galaxies from the Dark Energy Camera. DARK ENERGY SURVEY COLLABORATION DARK ENERGY SURVEY

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 23 Event Recap High-Risk, High-Reward Science: Is It A Good Bet?

From left to right: Brian Greene, Michal Lipson, Jon Gertner, Shelley Harrison, Corey Powell

n May 16, 2012, the Academy, Research Corporation called together a group of experts in what you might call ‘con- for Science Advancement, and DISCOVER magazine trolled destruction’—people who know the right way to take a hosted a discussion on the crucial topic of high-risk, leap into the unknown.” high-rewardO science and what can be done to encourage it. Un- The panel featured renowned theoretical physicist Brian conventional approaches to science and engineering have the Greene; technology investment expert Shelley Harrison; nano- potential to radically change our understanding of the world and scientist Michal Lipson, winner of a MacArthur Genius Award the way we do things. But are these changes the result of random and the Academy’s Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists; and Jon “Eureka!” moments, or is it possible to cultivate such leaps? Gertner, author of the recent bestselling book The Idea Factory. “We live in a world defined by breakthrough discoveries, but A special video recap of the event is now available on most of our institutions are geared toward preserving the sta- www.discovermagazine.com. To access the video, enter “Crazy tus quo, not breaking it,” says Corey S. Powell, editor-in-chief or Brilliant” in the search box.  of DISCOVER, who moderated the evening’s discussion. “So we

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24 www.nyas.org Member News Share professional news with your colleagues. Submit announcements to [email protected].

Nobel laureate and Academy Governor map gene expression in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. Martin Chalfie was one of the award- By doing so, he demonstrated how the gene for GFP could be ees of the 2012 Golden Goose Award, a connected to gene switches or genes in other proteins. new award that recognizes human and The result was that researchers could follow different pro- economic benefits of federally funded re- teins to observe the chemical processes of cells, which constitute search. Specifically, the award focuses on the basic functioning of an organism. Improving on GFP’s value seemingly obscure studies that have led to for research, Tsien exchanged amino acids within GFP to create major breakthroughs and resulted in sig- stronger luminescence and different colors. His work allowed nificant societal impact. researchers to track different proteins, and different biological Chalfie and two colleagues, Osamu processes, at one time. Shimomura and Roger Tsien, won because their studies of why a Chalfie, Shimomura, and Tsien won the Nobel Prize in jellyfish glows green led to: numerous advances in genetics, cell Chemistry in 2008. GFP, identified and developed through re- biology, developmental biology, and neurobiology; a better un- search funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Na- derstanding of human diseases; and the development of methods tional Science Foundation, remains a fundamental tool for re- used widely by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. searchers all over the world. It recently played a crucial role in In 1988, Chalfie heard about Shimomura’s work studying 2012 research involving the integration of stem cells into existing jellyfish luminescence and isolating a protein that glowed light heart muscle in the hope of developing new treatments for dam- green in daylight and fluorescent green in UV light. A biochem- aged heart tissue.  ist, Chalfie conceived of using green fluorescent protein (GFP) to

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The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 25 Academy Calendar For further details on meetings and conferences, visit our calendar at www.nyas.org/events.

November December

Thu, Nov 15 • 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM Mon, Dec 3 • 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM Tue, Dec 11 • 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Lyceum Society: What Does Science Genome Integrity Greed: Willing to Do Anything Have to Say About “Morality”? Discussion Group Meeting What makes some people nice and others The Lyceum Society comprises the Academy’s The Genome Integrity Discussion Group nasty? Is there chemistry behind our moral- retired and semi-retired members. Talks provides a forum for interactions between ity? Join neuroeconomist Paul Zak to hear cover various scientific fields. All Academy basic and clinical research groups working on how our chemistry plays a large role in why members are welcome. chromosome biology and function, and at the some of us relate to Mr. Rogers more than interface between chromosome integrity and Gordon Gekko. Part of the Science and the Fri, Nov 16 • 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM onset and progression of malignancy. Seven Deadly Sins Series. The 8th Gotham-Metro Condensed Matter Meeting Tue, Dec 4 • 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Wed, Dec 12 • 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM This biannual condensed matter physics con- The Paradox of Overnutrition Music & the Mind: ference features keynote talks in hard matter in Aging and Cognition The Magical Power of Sound and soft matter as well as a series of student This conference will present recent research Cognitive neuroscientist and musician presentations and a poster session. exploring overnutrition and cognition in the Jamshed Bharucha, music therapy pioneer elderly population, including epidemiological Concetta Tomaino, jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, and Wed, Nov 28 • 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM data, new technologies, and an overview of physician musician Charles Limb discuss the Pride: Flying Cars and potential indicators and predictors. ability of music to foster creativity, elicit emo- Other Broken Promises tions, and even to heal us, at the interface of Society has often looked to science to create a Thu, Dec 6 • 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM body, mind, and memory. Part of The Emerg- utopian future free of worry and disease and Cancer Cell Metabolism ing Science of Consciousness Series. full of gadgets and toys. Join us as we explore and Systems Biology the potential world of the future and the un- The role of cell metabolism in cancer and the Fri, Dec 14 • 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM fulfilled scientific promises of the past. Part of regulation of nutrient and energy signaling Novel Therapeutic Targets in the Science and the Seven Deadly Sins Series. networks remain a mystery. This symposium Myocardial Infarction explores cellular machinery cross-talk using Although current treatments following myo- Thu, Nov 29 • 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM a systems biology approach to explore cell cardial infarction mitigate cardiac damage, Targeting Metals in Alzheimer’s and growth, cancer and metabolism. we need effective ways to minimize subse- Other Neurodegenerative Diseases quent cardiac remodeling. This symposium Transition metals, including Fe, Zn and Cu, Fri, Dec 7 • 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM discusses prevention of microvascular dam- affect neurotransmission and are implicated New Paradigms of Risk and Protection: age and improved tissue regeneration. in Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s Understanding the HIV Epidemics diseases. This symposium explores mecha- among Gay and Bisexual Men Fri, Dec 14 • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM nisms for restoring the physiologic balance of This conference will explore novel HIV Communicating Science to the Public transition metals in the brain. prevention programs and therapies among This interactive workshop teaches presenta- gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex tion strategies for scientists to effectively Nov 30 – Dec 1 with men. communicate their work to the general public Making the Leap: or to individuals outside of their field. A Non-Academic Career Planning Tue, Dec 11 • 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM and Job Search Boot Camp Systems Biology Approaches to Drug Dec 17 – 18 This two-day boot camp will teach young sci- Discovery: Single Gene Targeting is A Global Research Agenda entists how to explore different career paths, Not Enough for Nutrition Science determine which ones are a good fit, and suc- The most pressing unmet medical needs cor- This conference will explore the continuum cessfully prepare and apply for potential jobs. respond to complex diseases caused by a com- starting from identifying research gaps in sci- bination of genetic and environmental factors. ence, to dissemination, advocacy, and eventu- This symposium discusses the use of biological ally influencing policies and practices. assays that feature multiple target approaches during the primary discovery steps.

26 www.nyas.org Meetings Policy

» DATES, TIMES, AND TOPICS OF EVENTS LISTED HERE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. For up-to-date information, including ticket prices, January March please visit our online calendar at www.nyas.org/events. Tue, Jan 22 • 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Tue, Mar 12 • 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM T Cells at the Interface The Good Fat: Understanding » Registration is required for most and of Immune-CNS Cross-Talk Adipogenesis and Function of strongly encouraged for all events. To Though no longer regarded as immune-privi- Brown Fat register to attend an event, please use leged, the role of T cells in the CNS is still not This conference will present recent research the Academy events calendar online at well understood. Experts will discuss the role exploring adipogenesis focusing on brown www.nyas.org/events or contact the of T cells in CNS diseases with high unmet adipose tissue, and will explore its implica- meetings department at 212.298.3725 or medical need, and offer clues to potential tions in diet-induced obesity. [email protected]. intervention. Wed, Mar 13 • 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Unless noted otherwise, Sloth: Is Your City Making You Fat? » Academy events are held at: February Join a panel of scientists, urban planners, and fitness experts for a talk on how designing The New York Academy of Sciences and building better cities and towns may 7 World Trade Center Mon, Feb 4 • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM make us a healthier—and leaner—nation. 250 Greenwich St at Barclay, 40th Fl Genome Integrity Part of the Science and the Seven Deadly New York, NY 10007 Discussion Group Meeting Sins Series. The Genome Integrity Discussion Group » Photo ID is required for entry. provides a forum for interactions between Wed, Mar 20 • 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM basic and clinical research groups working on Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Genes chromosome biology and function, and at the to Circuits to Behavior interface between chromosome integrity and Explore recent breakthroughs in early detec- onset and progression of malignancy. tion of autism and promising therapeutic interventions. This symposium features Wed, Feb 6 • 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM presents updates on the genetic landscape, the Apr 3 – 4 Becoming Conscious: use of mouse models to explore behavior and Every child’s potential: Integrating The Science of Mindfulness potential therapeutic biomarkers. nutrition, health, and psychosocial Neuroscientists Richard Davidson and interventions to promote early Amishi Jha join mindfulness expert Jon Mon, Mar 25 • 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM childhood development Kabat-Zinn to explore the role of conscious- Treatment-Resistant Depression: This conference will investigate evidence ness in mental and physical health, and what Glutamate, Stress-Hormones and their about integrating interventions for optimal science is revealing about the transformation Role in the Regeneration of Neurons early childhood development. Speakers will of consciousness through mindfulness and Major depression is a devastating illness; discuss methods, timing, measurement, scal- contemplative practice. Part of The Emerging current therapies based upon monoamine ing up, and other topics during interactive Science of Consciousness Series. neurotransmitters are beneficial for only sessions with the audience. one in ten patients. This program reviews Tue, Feb 12 • 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM a paradigm shift in treatment targeting the Tue, Apr 23 • 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lust and Love in the Animal Kingdom glutamatergic neurotransmitter system. Targeting Insulin Resistance for the Just in time for Valentine’s Day, join the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: From Academy as we explore lust and love in the Laboratory to the Clinic animal kingdom. After learning about the April Insulin resistance and dysregulated insulin love lives of creatures ranging from dino- signaling are observed in brains of Alzheim- saurs to bonobos, you’ll be able to decide for er’s patients. Current diabetes drugs that yourself if you really want to call yourself an Mon, Apr 1 • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM improve cognition and brain insulin signaling animal in bed. Part of the Science and the Genome Integrity in rodents are in clinical trials for mild cogni- Seven Deadly Sins Series. Discussion Group Meeting tive impairment and AD. The Genome Integrity Discussion Group provides a forum for interactions between basic and clinical research groups working on chromosome biology and function, and at the interface between chromosome integrity and onset and progression of malignancy.

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Autumn 2012 27 Donor Profile Spreading STEM, Near and Far An innovative grant from the National Science Foundation allows the Academy to scale a simple idea for maximum impact. bylineby Diana rule Friedman

lbert Einstein, a past Academy gram, with the aim that the New York will be inspired by their mentors—learn- member, famously said, “Every- State project will serve as a pilot for a ing that they themselves can aspire to ca- thing should be made as simple national scale-up. Three SUNY campus- reers in STEM fields. asA possible, but not simpler.” It was with es—SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Through the NSF grant, the teams at the this sentiment that the Academy, in 2010, Brooklyn, the University at Albany Col- Academy and SUNY believe they can scale The New York Academy of Sciences approached two problems that hit close lege of Nanoscale Science and Engineer- a simple idea into a state-wide success.  to home: ing in the Capital District, and SUNYIT » middle school students from low-in- in Utica—will be used as initial locations, Diana Friedman is the executive editor come districts in New York City were with more to follow in subsequent years. of The New York Academy of Sciences not getting enough STEM (science, One outcome of the study will be a Magazine. technology, engineering, and math) “best practices guide” focusing on the Af- in their school days, and terschool STEM Mentoring Program. » young scientists were lacking oppor- For the past two years, the Academy The Academy thanks all tunities to learn how to teach, as well has successfully leveraged its relation- who have generously as interact with their surrounding ships with community-based organiza- supported the Afterschool Blavatnik Awards communities, as they pursued their tions and major universities to manage STEM Mentoring Program. scientific research. a program that brings together gradu- Fast-forward two years later: In August ate students and middle school students. » Achelis and Bodman Foundations 2012, the Academy and the State Univer- The graduate students are part of the fo » Carnegie Corporation of New York Young Scientists sity of New York (SUNY) received a pres- Academy’s Science Alliance, which pro- » Fordham Street Foundation tigious grant, totaling $2.95 million, from vides memberships and career develop- » Goldman Sachs Gives, Paul Walker the National Science Foundation (NSF). ment programming for young scientists. » The William Randolph The grant will allow the Academy to ex- The middle school students are part of Hearst Foundations pand its Afterschool STEM Mentoring community-based afterschool programs, » Infosys Foundation USA Program—an elegant solution to the above such as those run by NYC’s Department » The Pamela B. and Thomas C. problems—throughout New York State. of Youth and Community Development. Jackson Fund By training local graduate students and Meghan Groome, director of K-12 Ed- » Drs. Gabrielle Reem and Celebrate a new generation of scientists and engineers in New York, New Jersey, postdoctoral researchers to provide middle ucation at the Academy, feels that work- Herbert Kayden and Connecticut. Nominate leading faculty and postdoctoral candidates today. school students from low-income districts ing within existing afterschool programs » Laurie J. Landeau with informal, hands-on STEM education, is ideal due to curriculum flexibility, as » Martin Leibowitz students receive much needed exposure to well as the natural cultivation of mentor- » National Science Foundation STEM subjects and young scientists devel- mentee relationships. » New York City Department op critical teaching and mentoring skills. Teaching secondary school students of Cultural Affairs Deadline: January 31, 2013 As part of the new grant, the Academy is new for many of the young scientists— » New York Community Trust Nominate at: www.nyas.org/BlavatnikAwards will tap SUNY’s rich network of graduate most have little or no experience impart- » Stavros Niarchos Foundation and postdoctoral students in STEM fields ing their STEM knowledge to younger » PricewaterhouseCoopers to serve as mentors in local afterschool generations. It is for this reason that » The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Faculty: Awards up to $25,000 programs. Regional coordinators will be SUNY Empire State College will be tasked » Staten Island Foundation Postdoctoral Students: Awards up to $15,000 trained on each participating SUNY cam- with creating an online course for the new » Verizon Foundation pus to manage the relationships between SUNY mentors that focuses on pedagogy » The Laura B. Vogler Foundation the SUNY mentors and the community- and mentorship basics. This course will be based organizations that run the after- similar to in-person courses that the Acad- school programs—a critical intermediary emy staff runs for NYC-based mentors. Invest in the Academy 2013Honoring Exceptional Young Scientists role the Academy has mastered in New By receiving specific training on peda- York City and Newark, NJ. gogy and mentorship, the young scientists Contribute to the Academy’s programs Through the NSF research grant the will become better teachers and research- by contacting Kiryn Haslinger Hoffman, Academy will evaluate the most effective ers, and some many even go on to choose VP and Chief Development Officer, at tactics for scaling the afterschool pro- teaching as a career. Students, meanwhile, 212.298.8673 or [email protected].

28 www.nyas.org www.nyas.org/BlavatnikAwards The New York Academy of Sciences Blavatnik Awards Youngfo Scientists

Celebrate a new generation of scientists and engineers in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Nominate leading faculty and postdoctoral candidates today.

Deadline: January 31, 2013 Nominate at: www.nyas.org/BlavatnikAwards

Faculty: Awards up to $25,000 Postdoctoral Students: Awards up to $15,000

2013Honoring Exceptional Young Scientists

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