SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 The Second Best Thing About Payday VOL. LXVI, NO. 20

‘Sweep’ Under Way for Select Agents, Toxins By Rich McManus

above · You would smile too if you were rompted by the Food and Drug Administration’s July 1 discovery of vials of about to foil the flu. See story on p. 8. Psmallpox virus in Bldg. 29A, NIH has embarked on Operation Clean Sweep, a two-part, top-to-bottom inventory of all NIH laboratories that starts first with all features institutes and centers, followed by an audit conducted by specialists in occupational safety and health. 1 After discovery of 12 boxes containing 327 vials of infectious agents such as small- Comprehensive Search Under Way For Mislaid, Forgotten Samples pox, dengue, influenza, Q fever and rickettsia, NIH director Dr. Francis Collins in- formed employees, “We have developed a plan of action for the conduct of this search. 3 It requires investigators to examine all freezers, refrigerators, cold rooms, storage Blaser To Give Kinyoun Lecture shelves and cabinets, as well as all other areas of storage such as offices associated 5 with laboratories.” Keller Lecture Highlights Alcohol The IC portion of the sweep has two parts, said Jeff Potts, NIH biorisk manager in Research the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS). “In phase 1, research staff at 12 all NIH facilities are responsible for going through their areas to search for unregis- BIG Training Session Targets STEM, tered select agents [such as Ebola, anthrax and H5N1 bird flu]. They must also inven- Personal Health tory all human pathogenic material that is handled at BSL [biosafety level] 2 or higher, human blood and body fluids and any toxins.” This is scheduled to be done by Sept. 30. see sweep, page 6 departments Schadt To Give Briefs 2 Mahoney Letters 8 Lecture, Oct. 1 Digest 9 Dr. Eric Schadt will Milestones 10 discuss “A Multiscale Biology Approach for Dissecting the Complex Processes Underlying Aging and Aging-Related Pheno- types” Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. Exercise was a theme for the Aug. 27 event. in Masur Auditorium, A Healthier You Dr. Eric Schadt Bldg. 10. His presen- NIH’ers Get a Workout, Useful Advice tation is the annual During Safety, Health and Wellness Day Florence Mahoney Lecture on Aging, sponsored By Dana Talesnik by NIA, and part of the NIH Director’s Wednes- day Afternoon Lecture Series. Life’s a series of choices. We can choose to Schadt is an expert on the generation and adopt healthier habits and protect ourselves integration of very large-scale sequence varia- from common hazards. Along the way, it never tion, molecular profiling and clinical data in hurts to learn some tips that might steer us on disease populations for constructing molecu- a healthier, safer path. lar networks that define disease states and link molecular biology to physiology. He has called The NIH Record is recyclable Improving employee health and safety both as office white paper. on and off the job was at the heart of the 3rd for a shift in molecular biology toward a net- see safety, page 4 see schadt, page 8 NLM To Host HHS Next- Generation Internet Symposium, Oct. 15 On Oct. 15, NLM will host an all-day briefs symposium for leaders from NIH and all of Career Development Open House, Oct. 8 HHS to learn about the significance of the next- All NIH employees are invited to attend the generation Internet “Passport to Learning” career development (IPv6) and its impact on open house at the NIH Training Center. The event the programs and mis- Vint Cerf is free and will be held Wednesday, Oct. 8 from sion of HHS. The event, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 6705 Rockledge Dr. (Rock- to be held in Lister Hill Auditorium, Bldg. 38A, will ledge 1), Suite 4000. be videocast for those who cannot attend in person. The day includes: Watch for registration information and the agenda in an upcoming global email. Ÿ Mini Training Sessions on Critical Thinking and Decision Making Skills, Negotiation Skills, Vint Cerf, the legendary father of the Internet, Conflict Resolution and Retirement Planning will serve as keynote speaker. The event will also feature experts from Internet registries/organiza- Ÿ An Overview of NIH Leadership Development tions, Internet service providers, cellular telecom Programs providers, major IT product vendors and in-house Ÿ Professional Development Opportunities government experts who will share their insight, best practices and lessons learned in the imple- Ÿ The Future of Learning: Technology in the mentation of IPv6. Classroom The event would be a great opportunity to learn: For more information and to RSVP, visit http:// The NIH Record is published biweekly at trainingcenter.nih.gov/news.html. Ÿ Why we should be moving to IPv6 now Bethesda, MD by the Editorial Operations Branch, Office of Communications and Public Ÿ What is the level of maturity of IPv6 across the Liaison, for the information of employees of APAO Solicits Awards Nominations the National Institutes of Health, Department Internet of Health and Human Services. The content is The NIH Asian & Pacific Islander American Ÿ How best to implement IPv6 successfully in our reprintable without permission. Pictures may Organization (APAO) will continue its tradition be available upon request. Use of funds for organization. printing this periodical has been approved by of honoring employees in the NIH Asian Pacific the director of the Office of Management and American community for their excellence. Nomi- Budget through September 30, 2014. nations are solicited for three categories: Scientific Achievement Award—for scientists/ To receive alerts to our latest issue, send an email to [email protected] with the words researchers who have made significant accom- “Subscribe NIHRECORD” in the message body. plishments in biomedical research; Leadership NIH Record Office Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B41 Excellence Award—for non-scientists who Phone (301) 496-2125 Fax (301) 402-1485 exemplify leadership excellence by example, mentorship and empowerment of Asian and Web address http://nihrecord.nih.gov/ Pacific Americans to promote diversity and sup- Editor port the overall mission of NIH; Kuan-Teh Jeang Richard McManus Distinguished Service Award—to recognize an [email protected] APAO member who has made an outstanding Associate Editor contribution or demonstrated continual high Carla Garnett quality service to the community. Nominees [email protected] must work or have previously worked (within the Staff Writers past year) at NIH. Awardees will be honored at Eric Bock the APAO holiday luncheon on Dec. 9 in Wilson [email protected] Hall, Bldg. 1. Dana Talesnik [email protected] Submit a 1-page narrative/statement to support why you think an individual deserves recogni- Belle Waring ‘After You, M’Deer’ [email protected] tion and include a CV of the nominee. A review committee composed of APAO members and A deer and an NIH staffer surprised each other on The NIH Record reserves the right to make non-members representing several ICs and the staircase rising from the Bldg. 21 “pit” to Bldg. corrections, changes or deletions in submitted 1 recently. The deer, accustomed to eating acorns on copy in conformity with the policies of the former award recipients will evaluate all paper and HHS. nominations. Submit your nominations elec- the lawn of Bldg. 1, and an NIH commuter found themselves with a decision to make about who got NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health tronically no later than COB on Oct. 27 to Dr. Shioko Kimura at [email protected]. For to the stairs first and thus had right of way. The more details, you may ask for the 2-page award situation resolved amicably. nomination manual. photo: lydia polimeni

NIH RECORD SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 2 SEPTEMBER2 26, 2014 SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 VOL. LXVI, NO. 20

Microbiologist Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Launches New Web Site Blaser To Give NIAID Kinyoun NIH’s EEO and anti-discrimination office has changed both its name and its web Lecture presence recently. The new Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) replac- es what had been known as the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Man- Dr. Martin J. Bla- agement. Debra Chew, who directs EDI, launched the change with a concept she ser will deliver the calls “EDI 365.” 2014 Joseph J. “EDI 365 is about each and every leader at the NIH thinking about how their Kinyoun Memorial contributions impact the success in diversity and inclusion each and every day of Lecture on Tues- the year,” she said. “It is not just something we do during Black History Month day, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. or Women’s History Month, but something that we have to operationalize as a in Lipsett Amphi- part of our overall leadership strategy and our business model.” theater, Bldg. 10. Blaser will discuss Over the past 2 years, the office gathered feedback from the NIH community photo: carl glenn how the human to strengthen NIH’s diversity and inclusion efforts. After numerous listening microbiome influences metabolism, immunity sessions, consultations with senior leadership and solicitations for input from and disease early in life. employees, “we reorganized our services and rebranded our image to align with customer needs,” Chew said. “We understood early on that EDI needed to recon- The gastrointestinal tract contains a dense and nect with our customers and position the right services in front of them, in an complex microbial environment where bacteri- accessible way, to enhance the work they do, every single day of the year.” al and human cells coexist and affect the equi- librium and health of our bodies. This environ- “We’re not only going to plan for the commemorative months,” said Kendrick ment forms early in life; the way in which the Gibbs, director of guidance, education and marketing at EDI. “We’re also really assembly occurs influences the body’s metab- focusing on what we can do every single day to change mindsets, change culture olism and immune system development. and to assist [NIH] programs.” Altering the microbiome during this impor- The goal is for each employee to feel connected to the agency. EDI’s new mission tant period of formation (with antibiotics, for statement is: We cultivate a culture of inclusion where diverse talent is leveraged example) may have substantial consequences to advance health discovery. Its new vision statement is: Making NIH the pre- on the risk of diseases and conditions such as mier place for diverse talent to work and discover. obesity and diabetes. To learn about innovations at EDI, visit http://edi.nih.gov/. Blaser is the Muriel and George Singer pro- fessor of translational medicine, professor Grady Addresses LSU Commencement of microbiology and director of the human microbiome program at New York University NINR director Dr. Patricia Grady recently delivered Langone Medical Center. He served as chair the commencement address for the Louisiana State of the department of medicine at NYU from University Health Sciences Center New Orleans. 2000 to 2012. The commencement included nearly 900 students Blaser is a physician and microbiologist whose from 6 different schools: allied health professions, work during the past 30 years has focused on nursing, public health, graduate studies, dentistry understanding the interactions of resident bac- and medicine. teria with their human hosts. He recently pub- Grady discussed how the LSU community exhibits lished Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Anti- resilience in the face of adversity, as evidenced dur- biotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues. Blaser has ing Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon advised and mentored numerous students and oil spill. She said having resiliency is a pivotal attri- postdocs and been actively involved in many NINR director Dr. Patricia bute to providing better health care and a quality scientific and professional organizations. He Grady speaks about that will serve students well in their future careers. has served as president of the Infectious Diseas- resiliency and collaboration es Society of America, chair of the NCI board of at the LSU Health Sciences Grady also commended the schools for their cross- scientific counselors and chair of the advisory Center commencement. disciplinary collaboration, which she noted is the board for clinical research at NIH. He is a mem- photo: lifetouch cornerstone of providing coordinated care in a health ber of the Institute of Medicine and the Ameri- care environment that is increasingly complex. “[I can Academy of Arts and Sciences. urge you] to recognize that your training and future experiences will instill each of you with a unique body of knowledge that you will share with your colleagues The Kinyoun Lecture series, established in from other disciplines so that, together, we may provide the best possible care to 1979, honors Dr. Joseph J. Kinyoun, who in those seeking treatment,” Grady said. 1887 founded the Laboratory of Hygiene, the forerunner of NIH, and launched a new era of scientific study of infectious diseases.

3 SAFETY continued from page 1

Above, from l: annual Safety, Health and Wellness Day held at home, such as ladder safety, electrical safety, Attendees learn about posture Aug. 27 in Natcher Bldg. NIH staff enjoyed a identifying mold,” said Brett Beall, a compliance and tips and tools for maintain- range of activities organized by the institutes assistance specialist with the Department of ing a healthy back. and centers and dozens of outside vendors and Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Admin- even learned a few things. istration. He said OSHA recently launched a smartphone app that calculates the heat index to Members of the NIH Judo Club Outside, on the lawn, some stretched out for a help protect people working outside on hot days. offer a demonstration of their yoga class while others learned safety tips for “Occupational safety can apply to everyday life. discipline. bicycling on busy roads. Inside, staff sweated We’re trying to make a safety culture,” he said. to Zumba, kickboxing and other fitness classes; Below: some took fitness tests and got pointers on how Did you know that medicine can look and taste Eva Chen (l), senior consultant to maintain or improve their fitness levels. Some like candy, while household cleaners or other at the NIH Employee Assistance lucky folks got chair massages offered by a local chemicals can look like juice or other beverages? Program, welcomes visitors to chiropractic clinic. Help prevent accidental poisoning by keeping her table. items in original packaging, reading labels and “The most important thing you should take keeping medicines out of children’s reach. away from [today] is that the services and photos: ernie branson information provided are readily available NIH’s Environmental Management System for NIH employees,” staff shared information about proper dis- said Chris Gaines, posal of chemical waste. Many unused chemi- program manager of cals can be recycled or used for energy. Labs wellness and retail purchase chemicals by the case, even if the lab services at the Office just needs a pint, said NIH industrial chemist of Research Services’ Crispin Hernandez. He facilitates chemical and Division of Amenities reagent exchange for the Free Stuff program and Transportation (https://stuff.nih.gov), where you can post and Services. “There is a exchange items, including unopened chemicals. wide range of health Making environmentally friendly choices has and wellness activities paid off—Hernandez said his chemical surplus at NIH that are right and solvent recovery program has saved NIH at your fingertips for about $100,000 from last April to December, you to take advantage and the program is growing. of to promote better Staff also heard reminders about personal safe- health and wellness ty. “The biggest thing is to be aware of your sur- outcomes.” roundings,” said Cpl. John Coe, a 10-year vet- Ever consider getting CPR-certified? NIH offers eran of the NIH Police. “We live in an electronic training free for employees. Just gather 10 col- age with headphones, texting…It’s a bad com- leagues. An instructor from ORS’s Division of bination when someone is walking and another Occupational Health and Safety will conduct person is driving [and either or both people are CPR/AED training for the group right at your distracted]. Recognize what’s around you.” That office. DOHS offers training for health care pro- goes for any suspected problem. “Some people viders and lay responders. The session takes a are unwilling to call the police when they see couple of hours, after which you’ll be certified suspicious behavior,” Coe said. “If you see a sus- for 2 years. If interested, visit www.ors.od.nih. picious person, package or an unusual situation, gov/sr/dohs/HealthAndSafety/aed. don’t hesitate to call NIH Police.” Advice on safety was not limited to the work- Throughout the day, fitness activities kept place. “A lot of information we have, you can use staff on their toes while others watched dance 4 NIH RECORD SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 VOL. LXVI, NO. 20

McClain To Give Keller Lecture, Oct. 14 Dr. Craig McClain will deliver the 2014 Mark Keller Honorary Lecture on Tues- day, Oct. 14 at 1:30 p.m. in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10. The title of his talk is “Nutrition, Gut Barrier Function and Liver Disease.” McClain is an internation- ally distinguished clinician and scientist in the fields of gastroenterology, alco- hol abuse, nutrition, cytokine research and hepatic drug metabolism. An immersive virtual environment headset was McClain is professor of medicine and profes- available for testing. sor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Louisville, where he also holds and martial arts demonstrations in the audi- several research and administrative leader- torium. An instructor with NIH’s Judo Club ship positions. He has made many contribu- likened judo to mental chess in that you need tions to the alcohol research field. In an early to know your opponent. While some train for study, he described the deleterious interac- competition, he said, most participate for the tions in the liver between alcohol and acet- exercise and the tradition. aminophen. In another landmark study, he “Increased exercise, physical activity and a described dysregulated cytokines in alcohol- healthier diet can contribute to improved overall ic hepatitis. Over time, McClain’s work has health,” said Gaines. “The most important thing increasingly focused on translational and is to try and adopt these healthy activities into interventional studies, including a semi- your daily routine.” nal clinical study demonstrating the benefi- cial effects of nutritional supplementation in The event was sponsored by ORS, Office of Dr. Craig McClain alcoholic hepatitis patients. Research Facilities, NIH occupational safety and health committee, IC safety and health chairper- The current focus of research in McClain’s laboratory is on the gut-liver axis, sons committee, laboratory sustainability group especially as it relates to alcoholic liver disease generally and on the role and NHGRI. nutrition plays in alcoholic liver disease. He has received continuous feder- al funding, including grants from NIH and the Department of Defense, for Learn more about employee services—clubs and almost 40 years. organizations, fitness and more—through the R&W: www.fedesp.com/nih/. NIAAA established this honorary lecture series as a tribute to Mark Keller, a pioneer in alcohol research. Honorees have made significant contributions to our understanding of alcohol’s effects and how we can prevent and treat alco- hol problems.

McGowan Honored by Women’s Group Dr. Joan McGowan (l), director of the NIAMS Divi- sion of Musculoskeletal Diseases, was recently honored by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine’s Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS). The group is part of a national effort, initiated by the American Association of Medical Colleges, to facilitate the advancement of women physicians and Five Join NICHD Council scientists by focusing on such issues as gender equity, Five new appointments have been made to the National Advisory Child Health and recruitment and retention and career advancement. Human Development Council, NICHD’s advisory body. With NICHD director Dr. Alan McGowan was recognized for her “excellent service in Guttmacher (c) and Dr. Catherine Spong, director, Division of Extramural Research, are academic inspiration and guidance” and for “her exem- new council members (from l) Dr. Gregory S. Kopf, director of research and development plary service and dedication in supporting biomedical at Family Health International 360; Dr. George R. Saade, professor and chief of the research.” The award was presented by GWIMS chair department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Dr. Marja M. Hurley (r) during the group’s 2014 Galveston; and Dr. Stephen A. Petrill, professor in Ohio State University’s department annual symposium. of psychology. 5 SWEEP continued from page 1

“This is unprecedented for NIH,” said Potts. age locations—freezers, cold rooms, refrig- He noted that biospecimens collected through erators, etc.—to perform quality assurance clinical trials at NIH, mostly in Bldg. 10, are (QA) checks. already subject to strict regulation. Inventory “QA means we see if what the ICs reported is control for specimens in NIH’s basic research actually there, on campus and off, and in all labs has not been as rigorous. leased facilities,” said Potts. Investigators will “Our goal is to ‘capture today.’ What do we check a percentage of inventoried items to have, and where?” he said. see if they square with what the ICs reported. “If they pass, our sticker will go next to their For some laboratories, the number of speci- sticker,” indicating that surveillance is com- mens can be in the thousands. Said one tech- plete and accurate. nician with such a workload, “I have to know where in each freezer a sample is, what shelf NIH management has established a deadline of it is on, what box it is in and what row it is in 6 months to complete the survey. “We are try- within the box. We almost need a new category ing to wrap our heads around the scope of this of employee—a specimen reference librarian.” project,” Potts said. “There are 8 million square feet of space on campus. Anywhere NIH owns Jeff Potts is NIH biorisk man- Phase 2 of Clean Sweep starts Oct. 1, when a samples has to be searched and QA’d. We have ager in the Division of Occu- team of specialists from DOHS, augmented to walk each building, top to bottom.” pational Health and Safety. “I by contractors, visits 100 percent of all stor- don’t feel unsafe, I don’t feel scared to do my job,” he said. “But it can be a stressful job. Collins Issues Interim Report but labeled 5 grams. Ricin is very poison- The last few months have been ous if inhaled, injected or ingested; it acts stressful. Additional discoveries On Sept. 5, NIH director Dr. Francis Collins as a toxin by inhibiting protein synthesis. will be stressful.” sent an all-hands email to NIH employees, This sample was found in a historical collec- updating the workforce on interim findings tion dating from 1914 and is thought to be photo: rich mcmanus of NIH’s comprehensive search for improp- 85-100 years old. Ricin has legitimate lab erly stored select agents, toxins or hazardous uses in very small quantities. biological materials. • Botulinum neurotoxin in individual quanti- Three select agents were found at the Clinical ties below the regulatory limits, but in aggre- Center’s department of laboratory medicine: gate quantities above the allowable limit. This • Burkholderia pseudomallei, a patient micro- neurotoxin is the cause of botulism, which is bial isolate. B. pseudomallei causes meli- a rare, but serious paralytic illness caused by oidosis, which is an uncommon bacterial a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacteri- infection usually found in tropical or sub- um Clostridium botulinum. tropical areas. All of the agents found were in sealed and • Francisella tularensis, the cause of tulare- intact containers and there were no person- mia, also known as rabbit fever. This was a nel exposures associated with the storage College of American Pathologists (CAP) pro- or discovery of these vials or samples. All of ficiency testing sample. the agents have been reported to the Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention and • Two small lab vials of Yersinia pestis, the destroyed in compliance with select agent cause of plague. It is an acute bacterial regulations. infection transmitted to humans and some domestic animals by fleas that come from Collins said he would update the workforce infected rodents. There have not been any again in early October, when a preliminary human-to-human transmissions of plague status report is expected. in the United States since around 1925. This was also a CAP proficiency testing sample. Two additional agents were found in other NIH laboratories: • One bottle of ricin of unknown quantity,

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Potts is one of 7 people in his 50-person divi- sion who manage NIH’s select agent program, which assures compliance with the regulations that govern the use, handling and storage of select agents and toxins. A very small number of NIH investigators work with select agents, he said. “The regulatory compliance is so large and onerous that few are interested.” Potts’ team of safety specialists conducts quar- terly checks of 100 percent of the vials pos- sessed by these investigators. In addition, they do year-round training and accident/injury investigation. “There are tremendous security controls in place,” he explained. “Anyone working in a BSL-3 lab or higher has to have a background investigation.” If a select agent or toxin is discovered in a place A worker uses a positive pressure protective suit to work with dangerous pathogens. where it ought not be, research staff are not permitted to dispose of it themselves, Potts Suiting Up for Safety said. “We bring it back to the lab, secure it and notify the CDC [Centers for Disease Control Very little of the research that goes on at NIH requires what some call moon and Prevention], which is the regulating agen- suits (positive pressure protective suits), says Jeff Potts of the Division of Occu- cy. Then we can destroy the sample [usually by pational Health and Safety’s select agent program. autoclave, a heating process] and provide proof At biosafety level 1 (BSL-1), workers must wear a lab coat and gloves. to our regulators that this was done.” BSL-2 requires a lab coat, gloves and protective eyewear. Asked whether the hunt for unsecured patho- gens worries him, Potts, who came to NIH a BSL-3 protection depends on the agent being studied, but typically requires dou- decade ago and is a certified biosafety profes- ble gloves, shoe covers and a full Tyvek suit. Researchers might also need to use sional, said, “It doesn’t scare me. Riding the a PAPR—powered air purifying respirator, which pulls room air through a HEPA Metro to work is more of a risk than working filter and offers clean air to a worker’s breathing zone. with these agents. We have very strict stan- BSL-4, or what Potts calls “the big blue space suit with an air hose,” is not con- dard operating procedures. ducted on campus, he said. Only two NIH labs are at this level: NIAID’s Integrat- “I don’t feel unsafe, I don’t feel scared to do my ed Research Facility at Ft. Detrick in Frederick, Md., and NIAID’s Rocky Moun- job,” he continued. “But it can be a stressful tain Laboratories in Hamilton, Mont. job. The last few months have been stressful. Potts has worn the positive pressure protective suit and says, “It’s different. If Additional discoveries will be stressful.” you’re claustrophobic, it’s not the job for you. They are deceivingly heavy. You’re He empathizes with the IC search that has lugging around 9-10 pounds of suit. It’s physically exhausting. You become very been going on for the past 2 months. “They thirsty because you get dehydrated. are doing this at the same time they are doing “We train staff to know their limits,” he said. Three hours of continuous work is their normal research. Their heavy lifting a typical timeframe for working in this type of environment, although some are is being done right now. Our heavy lifting capable of more. “It’s like driving a car for too long,” Potts explains. “The longer begins Oct. 1.” you’re behind the wheel, the more the risks multiply.” One advantage to the inventory process has Besides knowing your BSLs, there are other terms indicating familiarity with been that the ICs “are getting rid of a lot of lab safety. Many laboratories have freezers at two standard temperatures: 20 material they don’t need. I think it’s been a degrees below Celsius (“sub-20s”) and 80 degrees below Celsius (“sub-80s”). Toss huge benefit to them,” said Potts. “We might words like that around and Potts might consider recruiting you to the 40-person be saving NIH a lot of money by getting rid of a team readying for Clean Sweep, phase 2. couple hundred freezers. It’s kind of like spring cleaning. This process has been much needed, One other thing: there are actually two Operation Clean Sweeps being conduct- across the board.” ed across NIH at the moment by the Office of Research Services and Office of Research Facilities. The first has to do with clearing hallways and corridors of accumulated junk and began well before the select agent campaign.

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work-oriented view of living systems to comple- ment reductionist, single-gene approaches that letters currently dominate biology. Such an approach, he says, would more accurately model the com- Dear Editor, plexity of biological systems. As a recent émigré of the NIH campus and relo- Schadt will focus on integration of the digi- catee to the FDA White Oak facility, I read with tal universe of information to better diagnose, interestl this entire issue that marks the end of treat and prevent human disease. His team at an era [“FDA Exits Campus This Summer After the Icahn Institute seeks to understand the vast 73 Years,” NIH Record, Aug. 29, 2014], and a sad network of genes, proteins, metabolites and occasion for many FDA researchers. It really was environmental factors that drive the function a lovely reminiscence and a source of many inter- of the human body. esting historical tidbits. I have only one bone to pick. Margaret Pittman was not the discoverer Since 2011, Schadt has been director of the of the cause of whooping cough. Although [Pitt- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale man] was a major force in the field, and worked Biology, chair of the department of genetics and at NIH well into her later years, the discov- genomics sciences and Jean C. and James W. ery is credited to Jules Bordet, hence the genus Crystal professor of genomics at Icahn School of name Bordetella. Dr. Bordet, in a 1906 paper Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York. He was pre- co-authored by Octave Gengou published in the viously chief scientific officer at Pacific Bioscienc- Annales de l’Institut Pasteur and titled “Le Microbe es after serving as executive scientific director of de la Coqueluche,” described the isolation of the genetics at Rosetta Inpharmatics, a subsidiary bacterium, initially called Haemophilus pertus- of Merck & Co. Schadt also was a senior research sis. In fact, a pertussis research symposium on scientist at Roche Bioscience. whooping cough was convened at the Pasteur He received his B.A. in applied mathematics and Institute in 2006, to mark the 100-year anniver- computer science from California Polytechnic sary of this study. State University, his M.A. in pure mathemat- Scott Stibitz, FDA/CBER ics from the University of California, Davis, and his Ph.D. in bio-mathematics from the Universi- (Ed. note: We have corrected the online version of the ty of California, Los Angeles. Thomson Reuters story.) recently named Schadt among the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds 2014,” based on its analysis of the impact of his publications. The annual Mahoney Lecture honors Florence Stephenson Mahoney (1899–2002), who devot- ed the last half of her life to successfully advo- cating for the creation of NIA and increased support for NIH. There will be a reception and an opportunity to talk with the speaker in the NIH Library follow- ing the lecture.

‘Foil the Flu’ with Free Shot The Office of Research Services’ annual flu vaccination program is now under way in Bldg. 10. For details, visit www.foiltheflu.nih.gov. Vaccinations are given both on campus and off. photo: rich mcmanus 8 NIH RECORD SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 VOL. LXVI, NO. 20

to overeat in response to triggers in the environment was determined from a detailed questionnaire. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans evaluated the sites in the brain where dopamine was able to act. “These findings point to the complexity of obesity and contribute to our under- digest standing of how people with varying amounts of body fat process information about food,” said NIDDK director Dr. Griffin Rodgers. “Accounting for differenc- es in brain activity and related behaviors has the potential to inform the design of effective weight-loss programs.” Single Animal to Human Transmission Event Responsible for 2014 Ebola d Outbreak Scientists used advanced genomic sequencing technology to identify a single point of infection from an animal reservoir to a human in the current Ebola out- break in West Africa. This research has also revealed the dynamics of how the Ebola virus has been transmitted from human to human, and traces how the genetic code of the virus is changing over time to adapt to human hosts. Dr. Par- dis Sabeti, a 2009 NIH Director’s New Innovator awardee and her team carried Coauthors Dr. Kevin Hall (l) and Dr. Juen Guo out the research. examine PET data. “Dr. Sabeti’s research shows the power of using genomic analysis to track emerg- Eating Habits, Body Fat Related to Differences ing viral outbreaks,” said NIH director Dr. Francis Collins. “This ability produces In Brain Chemistry valuable information that can help inform public health decisions and actions.” People who are obese may be more suscepti- The 2014 Ebola outbreak is now the largest outbreak in history, with 5,347 total ble to environmental food cues than their lean cases and 2,630 total deaths [as of Sept. 14] since it began in late December counterparts due to differences in brain chem- 2013, according to the World Health Organization. This outbreak is also the first istry that make eating more habitual and less in West Africa and the first to affect urban areas. rewarding, according to an NIH study published Sabeti, senior associate member of the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Mass., led in Molecular Psychiatry. an extensive analysis of the genetic makeup of Ebola samples from patients liv- Researchers at the Clinical Center found that, ing in affected regions. Joined by an international team of scientists, Sabeti used when examining 43 men and women with advanced technology to analyze the genetics of the Ebola samples extremely varying amounts of body fat, obese partici- rapidly and with high levels of accuracy. Using this technology, the researchers pants tended to have greater dopamine activ- pinpointed a single late 2013 introduction from an unspecified animal reservoir ity in the habit-forming region of the brain into humans. Their study showed that the strain responsible for the West Afri- than lean counterparts and less activity in the can outbreak separated from a closely related strain found in Central Africa as region controlling reward. Those differences early as 2004, indicating movement from Central to West Africa over the span could potentially make the obese people more of a decade. Studying RNA changes occurring over the span of the outbreak sug- drawn to overeat in response to food trig- gests that the first human infection of the outbreak was followed by exclusive gers while simultaneously making food less human-to-human transmissions. rewarding to them. A chemical messenger in Schizophrenia Not a Single Disease but Multiple Genetically Distinct the brain, dopamine influences reward, moti- Disorders vation and habit formation. New research funded by NIMH shows that schizophrenia isn’t a single disease “While we cannot say whether obesity is a cause but a group of 8 genetically distinct disorders, each with its own set of symp- or an effect of these patterns of dopamine activ- toms. The finding could be a first step toward improved diagnosis and treatment ity, eating based on unconscious habits rather for the debilitating psychiatric illness. than conscious choices could make it harder to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, espe- The research, conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. cially when appetizing food cues are practi- Louis, was reported online Sept. 15 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. cally everywhere,” said Dr. Kevin Hall, lead About 80 percent of the risk for schizophrenia is known to be inherited, but sci- author and a senior investigator at NIDDK. entists have struggled to identify specific genes for the condition. Now, in a nov- “This means that triggers such as the smell of el approach analyzing genetic influences on more than 4,000 people with schizo- popcorn at a movie theater or a commercial for phrenia, the research team has identified distinct gene clusters that contribute a favorite food may have a stronger pull for an to 8 different classes of schizophrenia. obese person—and a stronger reaction from their brain chemistry—than for a lean person “Genes don’t operate by themselves,” said Dr. C. Robert Cloninger, one of the exposed to the same trigger.” study’s senior investigators. “They function in concert much like an orches- tra, and to understand how they’re working, you have to know not just who the Study participants followed the same eat- members of the orchestra are but how they interact.” ing, sleeping and activity schedule. Tendency 9 their community through activism and to redou- ble their commitment to their agencies and to the Commissioned Corps. The following officers were promoted in the fol- milestones lowing categories: NIH Holds Annual Corps Promotion Ceremony Medical Officers—promoted to captain: Paul Kruszka, promoted to commander: Paul Sato The recent 12th annual NIH PHS Commissioned Nurse Officers—promoted to captain: Antoi- Corps promotion ceremony coincided with the nette Jones, Ann Marie Matlock; promoted to 125th anniversary of the founding of the corps, commander: Shu Cai, Paula Carter, Colleen Wahl; whose mission is to “protect, promote and advance promoted to lieutenant commander: Amanda the health and safety of our nation.” NIH celebrat- Ramsburg, Tat’Yana Worthy ed the accomplishments of 16 Commissioned Corps officers who were successfully promoted this year. Scientist Officers—promoted to captain: Sally Hu In opening remarks, Dr. Richard Wyatt (Radm., Environmental Health Officers—promoted to ret.), assistant director of NIH’s Office of Intramu- commander: Robert Horsch; promoted to lieu- ral Research, spoke of Commissioned Corps his- tenant commander: Matthew Deptola tory and its deep connection to NIH. He reminded Engineer Officers—promoted to lieutenant com- recently promoted officers that they “stand on the mander: Corey Cosgrove shoulders of giants,” such as NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci (Radm., ret.) and Clinical Center Pharmacy Officers—promoted to captain: Rich- director Dr. John Gallin (Radm., ret.) who carried ard Decederfelt out the mission of the corps while simultaneously Health Services Officers—promoted to com- bearing the responsibility of leadership that accom- mander: Antoinette Percy-Laurry, Greg Gnipp— panies advancement in rank. Andrew Keel, Kristen Cole NIH principal deputy director Dr. Lawrence Tabak spoke of the commitment NIH has towards its OER’s Austin corps officers and the valuable roles they play at Retires After 33 the agency. Acting Surgeon General Boris Lush- Years at NIH niak described work that PHS members carry out on a daily basis at NIH and offered congratulations By Eric Bock to promotees. His words came with a reminder: Patty Austin has pro- When a Commissioned Corps officer is promoted, it duced hundreds of encompasses far more than an increase in pay. The programs for thou- advance also comes with a corresponding increase sands of NIH staff Below: in expectations. “You have gotten more, so give about the resources Members of the Commissioned more,” he said. He urged promoted officers to thank available to extramural Corps were promoted at a recent those who have supported them, to give more time researchers. And now, ceremony. to colleagues through mentorship, to give more to she is set to retire. photo: elise rabin Austin joined NIH in 1981 as a clerk-typist in the Office of Extramu- ral Research’s Staff Training in Extramural Pro- grams. When she started, she intended to finish her bachelor’s degree and find employment else- where. Like so many others, she never left. Through her hard work and dedication, she rose through the ranks at OER. In 2001, she became a training program administrator for OER’s Elec- tronic Research Administration project. Last year, she took her current position as train- ing program administrator in OER’s Office of Research Information Systems’ Division of Scien- tific Categorization and Analysis. “Patty’s had a unique training experience that our division didn’t have previously. Most employees 10 NIH RECORD SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 VOL. LXVI, NO. 20

know science or data. But Patty knows how to NIMHD Mourns Scientific Director explain things,” said Judy Riggie, director of the Coleman Division of Scientific Categorization and Analy- sis. “She’s helped our division a lot. She’s gone Dr. William G. Coleman Jr., distinguished above and beyond.” member of the scientific community, died of cancer on Aug. 18 at age 72. Austin estimated that she helped produce more than 300 training programs for OER during her Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Cole- career. These programs allowed her to meet many man held a B.S. from Talladega College, an M.S. employees and patients. She said that seeing in microbial physiology from Atlanta Univer- patients who have been helped by NIH research- sity and a Ph.D. in microbiology and molecular ers was one of the best parts of her job. genetics from Purdue University. She said many good people have helped her along Following a year as a lecturer and postdoc in the way—her colleagues, the staff who provided the department of biological sciences at Pur- feedback on her training programs and, especial- due, he began a nearly 40-year career at NIH. ly, her husband Steve Austin, a grants manage- In 1974, Coleman began postdoctoral training ment specialist in NIAMS. in the Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology at NIDDK and earned tenure as a research microbiologist in the same laboratory in 1978. His research included “Juggling my job and raising my children was substantial work on the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide and more recently sometimes frustrating and sometimes fun. I on the innate and adaptive immune response to Helicobacter pylori infection. H. couldn’t have ever done it without the support of pylori , a type of bacteria that causes infection in the stomach, is associated with Steve,” said Austin. “He encouraged me to keep gastritis, ulcers and gastric cancers, which affect millions of Americans and is going and supported me. He was really good for more common among Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic blacks. the family.” “Dr. Coleman’s contributions to science are far-reaching,” said NIMHD acting In retirement, Austin hopes to volunteer her time director Dr. Yvonne Maddox. “People who have never met Bill Coleman will ben- in soup kitchens and at an elementary school. efit from his work, particularly in the field of infectious diseases, which presents She will spend more time with her father in great challenges to public health.” Upstate New York. In addition, she also plans to devote more time to drawing, her favorite hobby. Recognized for his scientific leadership and acumen, Coleman received many honors, including the Philip J. Browning Scientific Pioneers Award and the “About 10 years ago, I taught myself to draw. I’m Inventor’s Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce. He was recently going to take watercolor painting and pen-and- selected for the Purdue University department of biological sciences Outstand- ink drawing lessons and maybe some pottery ing Alumnus Award. classes,” said Austin. Coleman became the first permanent African-American scientific director in Austin says she is proud to have been part of NIH. the history of the NIH Intramural Research Program in January 2011, when “The real pleasure is working with the extramural he was appointed to direct the NIMHD Intramural Research Program. He was community,” she said. “I appreciated their friend- responsible for directing NIMHD’s trans-disciplinary portfolio focusing pri- ship and feedback over the years.” marily on the biological and non-biological determinants of health disparities. Under his leadership, the intramural program has focused on three scientific research areas for which there are significant health disparities: cancer, cardio- NIDA Welcomes New Council Members vascular disease and diabetes. National Institute on Drug Abuse director Dr. Nora Volkow (c) recently welcomed two new members Coleman was known for his belief in the power of mentorship and dedicated himself to mentoring and training future scientists, from school-age through to NIDA’s national advisory council—Dr. Anne C. postdoc, particularly in the area of disparities research. Many of his former men- Andorn (r) and Dr. Laura J. Bierut. Andorn is medical tees have gone on to become successful researchers, physicians and educators. director for safety evaluation and “Dr. Coleman leaves a legacy as a well-respected scientist and teacher. Colleagues risk management, around NIH have expressed their admiration and sincerest regard for this dedicat- Office of the Chief ed researcher with an irrepressible sense of humor and optimism,” said Maddox. Medical Officer, Coleman is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dr. Belinda Seto, and his three GlaxoSmithKline daughters Melissa, Alicia and Natasha Coleman. in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Bierut is a professor in the department of psychology at Wash- ington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The new appointees will serve on the council through November 2017. 11 Above, from l: ‘Dream BIG’ ties. The program started daily at 6 a.m. with a OPM Director Katherine Archu- Annual Training Institute Targets STEM, cardio workout. A morning walk began the offi- leta gives BIG keynote talk. Personal Health cial health day. The program included presenta- By Felicia Shingler tions by fitness expert Cheryl Avon; Dr. Beverly This year’s service project Lynne-Cooke, who discussed diabetes and lupus; involves donations to Las This year’s Blacks In Government annual Dr. Earl Coffman on HIV; and chef Saryanne Vegas’s Three Square Food Bank. National Training Institute, “Dream BIG, Train Frazer, who gave a demonstration on raw food. Well & Emerge to Greater Heights,” proved to The BIG training institute, held annually at dif- be one of the best in BIG’s 39 years of service, Below: ferent locations throughout the U.S., likes to BIG board chair Dr. Hezekiah according to several attendees. Held in Las leave a positive footprint in the area it visits. Braxton III and BIG National Vegas, more than 150 workshops focused on This year, BIG visited Vegas’s Three Square Food President Darlene H. Young training offered by the Office of Personnel Man- Bank, making a $2,100 donation that supplied (r) welcome Archuleta as guest agement. Workshop topics included informa- 6,300 meals. speaker at the 2014 national tion technology, leadership management, com- training conference. munication skills and personal development. Ending the 2014 training session, OPM Direc- tor Katherine Archuleta gave the closing key- Founded in 1975, BIG is a support and advoca- note address. photos: big national photography cy group whose mission is to promote, provide team and enhance education opportunities for gov- “The work BIG has done since its founding near- ernment employees. With chapters throughout ly 40 years ago has been groundbreaking,” she the U.S., Europe and the Pacific representing concluded. “Your mission to make sure African- more than 2.5 million federal, state and local American employees at all levels of government civil servants, BIG’s yearly training institute is a can maximize their career opportunities is one I professional development conference. totally agree with. And events like this annu- al meeting provide just the training, network- This year, BIG launched its youth STEM robot- ing and mentoring your members need. I will ics program, which is designed to encourage do all that I can to support you, to help you, to African-American students to embrace sci- champion you, to make sure you have what you ence, technology, engineering and math con- need to succeed. I do this because I know that cepts and professions. A competition using the together, you and I will continue to make sure theme “Entertainment or Behavior Modifica- that federal service is the model workforce for tion: Do Violent Video Games Promote Violent the 21st century.” Actions?” challenged students across the nation in grades 9-12 to design, build and program their own mobile robot. In addition, 2014 marked the 15th annual BIG Health Programs Day. The initiative has sev- eral goals: educate the membership on health care access, disease prevention and treatment; exchange information on healthy lifestyles that reduce risks for HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cardiovas- cular disease, cancer, homicide, mental disor- ders, lupus, obesity and infant mortality; help foster partnerships within African-American communities; and increase awareness of ways to eliminate racial and ethnic health dispari- 12 NIH RECORD SEPTEMBER 26, 2014