ASCB OCTOBER 2006 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 29, NUMBER 10 Women in Science: A ASCB Launches Disappearing Image & Video Library Act? A New Electronic Resource Page 2 Frustrated in their search for images or videos to (IVL). As part of its mission to teach cell illustrate cell organelles and functions, many cell biology to a broad range of science students Pope Questions biology educators, researchers, around the world, the ASCB has and students have given up. The created a new educational tool Role of Science process has often been extremely that illustrates the cell in a variety Page 15 difficult, if not impossible, for of multimedia formats. The IVL’s both historical micrographs and easy-to-use digital library format cutting-edge discoveries. And offers a growing collection of Take the Time when such visual representations items, all freely accessible on the cannot be obtained from credible Internet at http://cellimages.ascb. to Smell the sources, science education org. suffers. After all, cell biology is a Farquhar MG, Palade GE. The IVL is governed by two Roses? Epithelial cells from the proxi- foundation science, a cornerstone mal tubule of rat kidney dem- boards. A Scientific Advisory Page 24 for students and researchers in all onstrating tight junction seal Board (SAB), composed of biological professions. prominent academic scientists, Now ASCB offers an antidote for frustration, works closely with Curator David Ennist and Inside and a source for peer-reviewed, high-quality Assistant Curator Cindy Boeke, to develop the visual and written resources from cell biology scientific content of the site. The SAB functions innovators: the newly launched American much like the editorial board of a journal and President’s Column 2 Society for Cell Biology Image & Video Library includes Kathryn Howell (Chair), Dorothy See IVL, page 20 Annual Meeting Program 8 In Memoriam 10 The NCSE: Promoting Annual Dear Labby 11 Meeting Public Policy Briefing 15 Science Education Housing The stunning victory for science in Don’t be left without a room NIH Funding 16 Judge John Jones’ federal court in for the ASCB Annual Meeting. Members in the News 18 Dover, Pennsylvania, late last year was Rooms begin at $59 per night and not easily achieved. The plaintiffs took are filling quickly. All attendees Meeting Poster Guidelines 21 and exhibitors are encouraged great personal risks. Their attorneys to book within the block and Attention: Undergrads 21 were brilliant in strategy and execution. make their hotel reservations Ken Miller (ASCB), Kevin Padian, and by November 8, at www.ascb. InCytes from MBC 22 Eugenie Scott Barbara Forrest—among other scholars— org or call SAN DIEGO... eloquently testified about the nature of accommodating YOU at (800) Letter to the Editor 23 science, science teaching, and the facts of evolution. At the core 967-4590 (U.S./Canada). International participants may WICB Column 24 of all these activities was a huge effort by the National Center call (847) 282-2529. Preferences for Science Education (NCSE) under the leadership of Eugenie are honored on a first-come, first- Member Gifts 26 C. Scott. ASCB members will remember Scott because she served basis. Why book within the Grants & Opportunities 26 received the Bruce Alberts Award for Science Education from block? See, http://www.ascb.org/ ASCB in 1999. meetings/am2006/housingblock. Calendar 28 See NCSE, page 12 cfm for the answer. ■ The American Society for Cell Biology PRESIDENT’S Column 8120 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 750 Bethesda, MD 20814-2762 Tel: (301) 347-9300 Fax: (301) 347-9310 [email protected], www.ascb.org Women in Science: Joan R. Goldberg A Disappearing Act? Executive Director It is widely publicized that women are entering ed that the majority of female students polled at Officers professional training in biology and medicine in an Ivy League college indicated that when they Mary Beckerle President record numbers, but they seem to disappear. An had children, they planned to cut back on work Bruce Alberts President-Elect analysis of gender representa- or stop working entirely. (Story, Zena Werb Past-President tion at different career levels in 2005). The conclusions in the Gary Ward Treasurer 50 high-profile research univer- front page article were widely Jean Schwarzbauer Secretary sities shows clearly that in the criticized as being based on an- biological sciences nearly 50% ecdotal reports rather than sci- Council of Ph.D.s are earned by women. entific data. In any case, the Kerry Bloom Yet women represent only 30%, story sure got people talking. Juan Bonifacino 25%, and 15% of Assistant, Are women voluntarily David Burgess Associate, and Full Professors opting out of scientific careers John Condeelis Peter Devreotes (Handelsman et al., 2005). in order to raise children? Linda Hicke What is happening to all of the Or do the demands of our Caroline Kane women who complete doctoral profession—the long hours, Sandra Masur training? Where do they go? the travel—simply make it Barbara Meyer Clearly there are many untenable for many women to Erin O'Shea attractive options outside of have children and their careers? Daphne Preuss Mary Beckerle Anne Ridley academia for Ph.D.s in science, Analysis of longitudinal data including law, policy, education, collected on recipients of life ASCB Newsletter publishing, etc. However, it is curious that science doctoral degrees in the United States, is published twelve times per women are disproportionately disappearing the Survey of Doctorate Recipients, provides year by The American Society from the tenure track. Many explanations have some sobering insight into why women are for Cell Biology. been put forward to explain underrepresented in tenure- the loss of women from the track faculty ranks. The tenure Joan R. Goldberg Editor pipeline. Some issues, such Are women rate for men and women who John L. Saville Production Manager voluntarily opting Nancy Moulding Production Assistant as gender bias, are obviously had at least one child under Kevin Wilson Public Policy Briefing relevant for all women (Barres, out of scientific six years of age within five Ed Newman Advertising Manager 2006; Hopkins, 2006). careers in order to years after earning a Ph.D. John Fleischman Science Writer Others, such as the impact of raise children? Or do was compared. Seventy-seven Thea Clarke EducationWriter childbirth and childrearing the demands of our percent of the men with so- on career only affects women profession … simply called “early babies” were Deadlines for submission of scientists who have chosen to awarded tenure, compared articles and advertising have children. Each of these make it untenable with only 56% of women in materials: factors is important and worthy for many women to similar circumstances (Mason Issue Deadline of analysis. However, space have children and and Goulden, 2004). Tenure- December November 1 constraints impose the need their careers? track women at the University January 2007 December 1 for focus. Here I will address of California report spending February January 1 the challenges of balancing significantly more hours per work and family for women in science. Although week on childcare and household chores than ASCB Newsletter this column will concentrate on women, clearly their male counterparts (Mason and Goulden, ISSN 1060-8982 many of these issues also have an impact on 2004), perhaps providing part of the explanation Volume 29, Number 10 men in science, who increasingly have partners for their lower tenure rate. October 2006 employed outside the home and who also wish to © 2006 participate actively in family life. The Mommy Track or The American Society for Cell Biology the Mommy Trap? Postmaster: Send change of address to Opting Out or Bailing Out? Women seeking careers in academia may ASCB Newsletter The American Society for Cell Biology A story in The New York Times last fall report- disproportionately gravitate toward research 8120 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 750 Bethesda, MD 20814-2762 2 ASCB NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2006 faculty positions rather than tenure-track Balancing Act: Help to Stay on the slots, thinking they will be able to pursue their High Wire scientific interests with greater flexibility as If young women are to be encouraged to con- faculty. Almost twice as many women with early tribute to scientific discovery, our systems and babies are in research positions, nontenure-track structures need to support their participation. slots, and part-time appointments than men A number of actions can be taken to support with early babies. These positions may involve young faculty trying to balance the demands of less responsibility in the areas of administration work and family. If young women are and education. However, they are typically to be encouraged “soft-money” slots in which the investigators 1. Automatic Parental Leave: The implemen- to contribute to are reliant on receipt of extramural grants to tation of automatic paid leave for new parents scientific discovery, cover their salaries. In times of tight funding, would be a huge step. Many European coun- our systems and these situations are anything but low pressure. tries provide 16 weeks of fully paid leave for Moreover, research-track positions typically new mothers. In Sweden, new parents have structures need have lower salaries and less advancement 16 MONTHS’ leave at 80% of salary, with to support their opportunity compared with tenure-track slots. the primary parent’s partner required to take participation. With higher salaries, there is the ability to “buy at least three months. In the U.S., most aca- time” by hiring support for housekeeping, yard demic institutions have policies that require maintenance, and reliable childcare. Some the faculty member to request leave for child- colleagues I know have hired cooks so they can bearing or rearing. This is awkward and puts spend time with family when they get home women in the position of appearing to need from the lab, rather than racing to the stove.