7INTERs3PRING 4HE'3!2EPORTER

winter s spring 2012

New Executive GSA Welcomes 2012 Board Members Director Now on Board The Genetics Society of America New Members of the GSA Board of welcomes four new members elected Directors Adam P. Fagen, by the general membership to the Ph.D., stepped in as 2012 GSA Board of Directors. The VICE PRESIDENT: GSA’s new Executive new members are: Michael Lynch Michael Lynch, Director beginning (Indiana University), who serves as Distinguished December 1, 2011. vice president in 2012 and as GSA Professor of Dr. Fagen previously president in 2013 and Marnie E. , Class of was at the American Halpern (Carnegie Institution for 1954 Professor, Society of Plant Science); Mohamed Noor (Duke Department of Biologists (ASPB), University); and John Schimenti Biology, Indiana where he was the director of public (), who will serve as University, continued on page nineteen directors. Bloomington. Dr. Lynch is a population and evolutionary biologist and a In addition to these elected officers, long-time member of GSA. Dr. Lynch 2012 Brenda J. Andrews (University of sees GSA as the home for geneticists Toronto), Editor-in-Chief of GSA’s who study a broad base of topics GSA Award journal, G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, and organisms, and as a forum Recipients which was first published online in where general discussion occurs, June 2011, becomes a member of the whether based on the principles Announced Board of Directors. The bylaws have of genetics, the most pressing historically included the GENETICS GSA is pleased to announce the issues within the discipline itself, or editor-in-chief on the Board and as a responses to societal concerns and/ 2012 recipients of its five awards result of a 2011 bylaw revision, the G3 for distinguished service in the or conflicts within applied genetics. editor-in-chief will now also have a seat His professional interests focus on field of genetics. The recipients on the Board. of these awards were nominated integrating the life sciences, from and selected by their colleagues. “We are delighted to have these molecular to cellular to whole They are: Katherine V. Anderson for prominent scientists and educators join organism biology, and emphasizing the Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal; the Board this year and look forward the synthesis of empirical investigation , for the Genetics to their leadership as the Society with well-grounded mathematical Society of America Medal; Therese continues to grow and evolve. We theory, a bridge made possible by Markow for the George W. Beadle thank the outgoing Board members for genetics. Award; David A. Micklos for the their dedicated service and continued DIRECTORS: Elizabeth W. Jones Award for involvement,” said GSA Executive Marnie E. Excellence in Education; and, Dana Director Adam P. Fagen. Halpern, Carroll for the Edward Novitski These new officers and directors Staff Member, Prize. began their tenure on January 1, 2012, Department of GSA President Philip Hieter, and will remain on the GSA Board until Embryology, said, “the individuals honored December 31, 2014. Carnegie Institution for Science; Adjunct continued on page fifteen continued on page four

Genetics Society of America 1 4HE'3!2EPORTER 7INTERs3PRING Uniting Genetics for a Stronger GSA

by Adam Fagen, Executive Director ’m very happy to be at GSA, working with the Board, membership, and staff to advance the interests of the genetics community and ensure a strong future for the Society. Coming to GSA brings me back to my roots: although my career path has brought me from Published three times a year the lab to science education and policy, genetics remains my scientific home in many and distributed by ways (See New Director article on page 1). The Genetics Society of America I It’s also nice to reconnect with the many members of the GSA community who I worked with as Volume 9, Number 1 an undergraduate and graduate student and in previous positions at the National Academy of officers Sciences/National Research Council and the American Society of Plant Biologists. Phil Hieter, President One of my goals for the Society is to make sure there are strong lines of communication among Michael Lynch, Vice President GSA members and with the staff and leadership. Towards this goal, we’re making better use of Paul W. Sternberg, Past President our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GeneticsGSA) and Twitter feeds (http://twitter. Mariana F. Wolfner, Secretary com/GeneticsGSA) and will be making changes to the GSA website this year to make it more Carol S. Newlon, Treasurer useful and informative for GSA members and the public. Mark Johnston, GENETICS, And, we want to hear from you about what GSA is doing well, what we could be doing better, and Editor-in-Chief what more we could be doing. Brenda J. Andrews, G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics Starting the Conversation Editor-in-Chief To start this conversation, I have a question “How do we bring the board of directors I’d like to ask: How do Utpal Banerjee we bring the entire genetics entire genetics community Bonnie Bartel community together across model Judith G. Berman systems while continuing to promote the together across model Elizabeth A. De Stasio strong sense of belonging among those systems...? Marnie E. Halpern who work with individual model organisms? Sue Jinks-Robertson Although the genetics community is strong and Jeannie T. Lee Mohamed A. F. Noor growing, it is also somewhat splintered. That is to say many of us identify at least as much with John C. Schimenti our own model organism as we do with the discipline of genetics. Yet there is something that Thomas J. Silhavy binds us together as geneticists: there are similar kinds of questions we answer and similar approaches we use, whether working in fruit flies or fruit plants, zebrafish or zebra finches. executive director We teach the same courses, apply for the same funding, and publish in many of the same Adam P. Fagen journals—including and especially in GENETICS and G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics. managing editor I know that many associate your interactions with GSA from participation in a GSA-sponsored Phyllis R. Edelman conference and join the Society at least partly because of discounts on meeting registration. But while GSA will continue to seek opportunities to bring in other model organism communities The publication of an advertisement in this newsletter does not constitute on the part of The Genetics (e.g., GSA is coordinating the International Conference on Zebrafish Development and Genetics Society of America a guarantee or endorsement of the quality or value of the advertised products or services for the first time this year), geneticists are using dozens of model systems for studying questions described in the advertisement, or of any of the of interest—and there’s an increasing tendency to move across systems in order to follow the representations or claims made by the advertisers with respect to such products or services. science where it leads. How do we best represent the interests of geneticists whether or not there’s a GSA-sponsored model organism conference for your research community? 9650 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20814-3998 Of course, many within our community don’t study specific model systems but focus on Tel: (301) 634-7300 fundamental and applied aspects of genetics more generally. How can the Society best serve Fax: (301) 634-7079 and integrate those who study population genetics, genomics, , education, systems Email: [email protected] biology, and many other areas that are not limited to particular organisms? www.genetics-gsa.org Copyright ©2012 by the Genetics Society of America. All rights reserved. continued on page nine

2 Genetics Society of America president’s message 7INTERs3PRING 4HE'3!2EPORTER

In October 2009, I attended the raised awareness. American Society of Human Genetics Comparison of the genome sequences (ASHG) Annual Meeting where the of E. coli, , worm, fly, mouse, and 150th anniversary of the publication human directly demonstrated the of Darwin’s The Origin of Species striking extent to which all organisms was celebrated. In the opening are built from the same set of genes session, several talks reviewed how and highlighted the enormous value the determination and comparison of of model experimental organisms for the entire the study of evolutionarily conserved One of our goals must genome gene function. These landmark sequence also be to stimulate accomplishments showed that few, if from as interaction among any, biological processes are unique to few as four humans at the gene level. geneticists. patients suffering It became clear that fundamental Phil aspects of most human disorders Hieter from an “orphan disease” could reveal the can be informed through analysis of Connecting, single gene, mutated in each of orthologous genes and pathways in the four genomes, that is the major experimentally tractable organisms Communicating genetic determinant. I realized for by using sophisticated experimental the first time we were at the brink of toolboxes developed for each model and Collaborating an unprecedented era of mutation organism. And the aggregate of discovery in humans. Who could model organisms was much more How interaction among all have predicted, even four years ago, powerful than any one, because of the geneticists strengthens our when Jim Watson’s personal genome complementarity of their biology and community sequence was published in Nature experimental tools. by Phil Hieter, GSA President using prior, much more expensive The 2012 MOHB Meeting: Cancer technology, that a human genome It is with great anticipation and Genetics excitement that I look forward to would be obtainable for less than Over the past decade, there has serving the GSA this year. We need to $10,000 today? been an increasing trend towards raise and maintain awareness of the This was a quantum leap from the “translational research,” and in some value of model organism genetics to heyday of positional cloning in the cases, diminished appreciation of the society in human health, agriculture, late 1980s, when the first Mendelian importance of basic discovery and alternative energy, the environment, disease genes were slowly and at great the multi-organismal approach to and industry, as well as in scholarship, expense being discovered, only to find solving biological problems. Some ask, discovery, and learning about the that the gene’s function was largely “what is the relevance of research on biological world. unknown. Almost always, clues and fruit flies or yeast to human health?” The GSA must step up our efforts on strategies for further research came without recognizing that most of several fronts, including supporting from model organisms, even though the fundamental discoveries on the genetics research in plants, animals, this principle was not universally biology of living organisms were made and microbes, enhancing genetics appreciated. in model organisms. training at all levels, fostering Model Organisms and In recognition of the need for enhanced public outreach and education, and Understanding Human Disease cross-talk between model organism articulating the value of science to and human genetics researchers, society. It’s a critical mission, at a In the early 1990s, the relevance the GSA’s biennial meeting, “Model critical time. One of our goals must of model organisms — yeast, flies, Organisms to Human Biology” (MOHB) also be to stimulate interaction zebrafish, and worms — to our will next convene June 17-20, 2012 among geneticists. We need to make understanding of human disease in Washington, DC, with a focus on connections with each other, across mechanisms was underappreciated or cancer research. the GSA model organism genetics even questioned. Later in that decade, communities, and across to the human several key discoveries and the output The “MOHB — Cancer Genetics” genetics community as well. of the genome sequencing projects meeting will bring together continued on page sixteen Genetics Society of America 3 4HE'3!2EPORTER 7INTERs3PRING continued 1 GSA Welcomes 2012 Board Members

Professor, Department of Biology, Genomics, Cornell explore genetic interaction networks in Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Halpern’s University. Using yeast and other model organisms. research has spanned two model the mouse These new officers and directors organisms – Drosophila and zebrafish. model system, replace Past President R. Scott Currently working with zebrafish, Dr. Dr. Schimenti’s Hawley, (Stowers Institute for Medical Halpern studies neural development lab investigates Research), and Directors Jay C. Dunlap, with specific interest in how differences the genetics (Dartmouth Medical School), Douglas are established between the left and of mammalian E. Koshland, (University of California, right sides of the developing brain. development, Berkeley), and Susan R. Wessler Besides her research, Dr. Halpern is gametogenesis, (University of California, Riverside) active in science outreach programs in and maintenance of genome integrity, whose tenure on the GSA Board the area. Working with local all of which have implications in the ended on December 31, 2011. The science teachers in her community, development of cancers. Dr. Schimenti new members join the following Board she developed the “Women Serious recognizes the need for educating officers and directors who continue to About Science” program to encourage trainees, the public, and policymakers serve the Society until the year noted women and girls to pursue research about what geneticists do, why, and (in parenthesis). careers in science. how genetics is revolutionizing our understanding of life and our health. s0RESIDENT 0HILIP(IETER Mohamed Noor, (University of British Columbia) Earl D. McLean He serves on editorial boards for Professor and numerous genetics publications, s0AST0RESIDENT 0AUL3TERNBERG Associate Chair, including GENETICS, where is a (California Institute of Technology) member of the Senior Editorial Board. Department of s3ECRETARY -ARIANA&7OLFNER Biology, Duke EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: (Cornell University) University. An G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics s4REASURER #AROL3.EWLON evolutionary Brenda J. (UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School) geneticist, Dr. Andrews, Noor focuses on s%DITOR IN#HIEF GENETICS (2013) Professor and Mark Johnston, (University of the genetic architecture of traits that Chair, Banting & contribute to species formation or Colorado Health Science Center, Best Department of Denver) maintenance, including behavioral Medical Research; discrimination, hybrid sterility, and Director, Donnelly s$IRECTOR 5TPAL"ANERJEE hybrid inviability. His research focuses Centre, University (University of California, Los Angeles) on the model organism Drosophila. Dr. of Toronto. Dr. s$IRECTOR "ONNIE"ARTEL 2ICE Noor is active in community outreach Andrews began her University) and is committed to educating the tenure as editor-in-chief of GSA’s new s$IRECTOR *UDITH'"ERMAN public and policymakers about journal G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics (University of Minnesota) genetics, genetics researchers, and in 2010, before its inaugural publication their work. He has experience on the in June 2011. The journal seeks to s$IRECTOR %LIZABETH!$E boards of other professional genetics publish well-executed and lucidly- Stasio, (Lawrence University, membership societies and has served interpreted genetic studies of all Wisconsin) as an associate editor on numerous kinds and is not bound by subjective s$IRECTOR 3UE*INKS 2OBERTSON editorial boards, including GENETICS editorial criteria of importance, novelty ( Medical Center) (2001–2004). or broad appeal. Dr. Andrews is a yeast s$IRECTOR *EANNIE4,EE -$ John Schimenti, Professor of Genetics, geneticist, whose lab uses functional (Massachusetts General Hospital) Department of Biomedical Sciences, genomics to explore mechanisms of Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine; control, cell polarity, and s$IRECTOR 4HOMAS*3ILHAVY Adjunct Professor, Department of gene regulation. She is also involved ().Y and Genetics; in projects that aim to systematically Director, Center for Vertebrate

4 Genetics Society of America 7INTERs3PRING 4HE'3!2EPORTER

From the GSA Journals: News from GENETICS and G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics G3 is now in PubMed and SGD. Stay tuned for news about The mouse CC, developed by an upcoming article types, but two to international resource consortium, Citations from G3: notice are: has 90 percent of the genetic diversity Genes|Genomes|Genetics, GSA’s present in laboratory mice, which open-access journal launched in June YeastBook mirrors the genetic diversity in 2011, are now indexed in PubMed, the Publication of YeastBook started in humans. The 15 articles highlight National Library of Medicine’s catalog. November 2011 as a series of monthly the contributions of the CC – and a In compliance with the National chapters in GENETICS and continues companion mouse resource called the Institutes of Health (NIH) Public over the next two years. These chapters “Diversity Outbred” (DO) resource – to Access Policy, all G3 articles are freely will result in an updated encyclopedia a number of important areas of human available at PubMed Central. of the reference eukaryotic cell, health. “Being included in PubMed and . Besides “Publishing these papers in GSA’s PubMed Central is a vote of confidence organizing and analyzing S. cerevisiae sister journals enables those interested in the quality of the articles G3 is data, YeastBook is a significant in this research to access a large publishing” said Brenda Andrews reference tool for non-specialists. body of information quickly and (Univ of Toronto), Editor-in-Chief of Alan Hinnebusch (NIH) serves as easily,” said Lauren McIntyre (Univ of G3. “Increasing the visibility of this editor-in-chief of YeastBook, and leads Florida), Senior Editor of GENETICS. research is important, and part of a team of nine associate editors. “The journals have made all the data the goals of G3, as an open-access YeastBook expands on the seminal associated with the papers openly journal.” monograph series The Molecular available, and are committed to the G3 provides a forum for the publication Biology of the Yeast Saccharomyces, widest possible distribution. This of high quality foundational research, published by Cold Spring Harbor group of research articles should help particularly research that generates Press in the early 1980s and last accelerate the development of new useful genetic and genomic information updated over 15 years ago. YeastBook treatments and drugs.” such as genome maps, single gene articles are compiled on a separate studies, genome wide association website, www.genetics.org/content/ In Memoriam, James F. Crow and QTL studies, as well as mutant current#YeastBook. The editors of (1916-2012) screens and advances in methods and YeastBook and GENETICS anticipate Just after the New Year on January 4, technology. This new journal offers the that the compendium will span 50 GSA was saddened to learn of the opportunity to publish the puzzling chapters. Because this is an online death of James F. Crow (Univ of Wisc- finding or to present unpublished resource, additional chapters can be Madison), who was not only a leading results that may not have been added to this electronic volume as the figure in 20th century genetics but submitted for review and publication need arises. also an esteemed member of GSA and due to a perceived lack of a potential a long-time editor of GENETICS. He high-impact finding. The Mouse Collaborative was an associate editor of GENETICS Cross The GSA Journals for five years, and along with William Another of GSA’s innovative publishing F. Dove founded the feature called, GENETICS and G3: models was a group of 15 articles Perspectives, and edited it for more Genes|Genomes|Genetics focused on the mouse Collaborative than a decade. Jim himself wrote are leading the way in Cross (CC) resource and published many of the Perspective articles, some creative electronic in the February 2012 GENETICS in only a few days, when a promised publishing with “beyond- and G3 journals. The editorial on manuscript did not materialize. In the-book” content, collaborative science in journals and 2000, GSA published an anthology, including article the Perspectives, “Ten Years of the Perspectives on Genetics, edited by Jim links to FlyBase, Collaborative Cross” were published in and Bill Dove. (To purchase, contact WormBase, both GSA journals. The other articles Mary Shih at [email protected].) were either published in GENETICS For the obituary in GENETICS, written or G3, as the editors considered by Daniel Hartl, see www.genetics.org/ appropriate. content/190/3/1149.fullY

Genetics Society of America 5 4HE'3!2EPORTER 7INTERs3PRING Become a Scientist Advocate

GSA is increasingly groups and by writing letters to the editor when genetics engaged in and model organism research is misrepresented in the advocacy on behalf media. of its 5,000 members, but we need your help to Sign Up for Congressional Action Alerts amplify that message to your Through its relationship with the Federation of American elected representatives. We Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) (www.faseb. need you to work with GSA org) the Coalition for the Life Sciences (CLS) (www. to help ensure adequate coalitionforlifesciences.org/), and the American Institute federal funding for basic and of Biological Sciences (AIBS) (www.aibs.org), GSA offers biomedical research at the members easy opportunities for individuals to engage National Institutes of Health (NIH), in advocacy, whether you have a whole day or just a few the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other federal minutes. agencies. You’ll find that it’s easy and rewarding. For example, the FASEB Congressional Toolbox provides The Role of an Advocate talking points, “how-to” guides, and other materials that scientist advocates can use to communicate with your Scientist advocates have several roles. For starters, elected officials. You also can sign up to receive e-action advocates can voice their opinions on pending funding or alerts that will tell you when and how to contact members of policy legislation being considered by Congress. You’re in Congress at key times throughout the year. the best position to describe how increasing the budget for basic research will help the scientific community or budget The Congressional Liaison Committee of the CLS also offers cuts will hurt it. As a constituent, you can send the most GSA members the opportunity to be an advocate – for 10 effective message to your local representative about how minutes, for 30 minutes or for a day. Learn at their website, federal support and policies will affect you personally, your www.coalitionforlifesciences.org/, what you can do to help lab, your institution, and your community. support funding for NIH and NSF. Advocates can educate congressional representatives, You can also sign up to receive FASEB’s Washington Update, the vast majority of whom are not scientists and don’t a twice monthly e-newsletter that provides information and understand the value of scientific research, including the analysis on Congressional and government actions that crucial role of model organisms. As an advocate, you can impact the biological research community. Of course, all of inform your representative about what you do and its these lists are free of charge. importance within the bigger research picture, especially In addition, FASEB and the CLS offer “Hill Days,” providing if your research provides the foundation for research on opportunities for researchers to meet face-to-face with your human health, agricultural productivity, or other applications congressional representatives in their offices in Washington, the non-scientist can easily understand. Working with your D.C. If you’re able to participate, you’ll receive background college or university government affairs office, you can information and training in advance of these meetings to invite your elected representative to visit your laboratory to help you be as effective as possible in the limited time explain your research and its significance. This eye-opening you will have available with your representatives and their experience can be one of the most effective ways to engage staff. Getting your point across quickly and in language your representatives in supporting research investments. understandable to the representative or their staff is of the Advocates can educate the public. Most people do not essence. understand why research is being done on fruit flies or any Advocacy Luncheons at GSA Meetings model organism and are in the dark about genomics or population genetics. Four years ago during the presidential Through its relationship with FASEB, GSA will be offering campaign Sarah Palin’s infamous dig about fruit fly research advocacy luncheons at many of its upcoming meetings. having little or nothing to do with the public good probably Learn firsthand from Jennifer Zeitzer, FASEB’s Director of seemed accurate to much of the lay public. As a researcher, Legislative Relations, how to become an advocate and how you can help the average citizen understand the importance hearing from constituents really does make a difference of your work by speaking to classroom and community to congressional representatives when they vote on appropriations or policy. Y

6 Genetics Society of America 7INTERs3PRING The GSA Reporter Perspective on the Federal Budget by Jennifer L. Zeitzer, Director of Legislative Relations in FASEB’s Office of Public Affairs ([email protected]),

Fiscal Year 2012 research project grants to the mission grants to avoid growth in the average Despite challenging fiscal times and of NIH.” The agency was instructed award size. Capitol Hill’s commitment to restrain to support as many scientifically NIH will also continue the current federal spending, the final fiscal year meritorious new and competing grants policy of equalizing success rates of (FY) 2012 budget provided a small as possible, at a reasonable award new investigators and established increase for the National Institutes level, while maintaining extramural investigators. In addition, the agency of Health (NIH). In December 2011 research funding at a minimum of 90 will establish a process for additional President Barack Obama approved percent of the NIH budget in FY 2012. scrutiny and review by the Institute or an FY 2012 Omnibus Appropriations Appropriators also noted that they Center Advisory Council of awards to Bill that included $30.64 billion for the assumed that the number of research any principal investigator with existing National Institutes of Heath (NIH), a project grants issued in 2012 would grants of $1.5 million or more in total $240 million (0.08 percent) increase remain at the same level as 2011. costs. above the FY 2011 level. The President’s Budget for FY 2013 Congressional Review of FY 2013 A summary circulated by the House Although NIH fared well in the 2012 Budget Appropriations Committee indicated budget debate, the celebration may not that the NIH funding level was $30.69 Members of Congress are now in the last long. In early February, President process of reviewing the President’s billion (a $299 million increase over Obama released his FY 2013 budget FY 2011) but that did not include a budget request as the first step in proposal. Although the White House completing the annual appropriations 0.189 percent across-the-board cut that summary notes that the budget makes was added to the bill to bring overall (funding) bills. Similar to last year, key investments in innovation, research, concern about the growing federal spending within the limits established and education, funding for NIH would by the Budget Control Act (BCA). deficit and a desire to cut spending remain at $30.7 billion, the same as the even further are echoing throughout NIH also received authority to establish FY 2012 level. the discussions about the 2013 budget. the National Center for Advancing With a flat budget, NIH estimates that Appropriations Committee Translational Sciences (NCATS) and it will be able to support 9,415 new eliminate the National Center for consideration of the individual FY and competing research project grants 2013 bills that allocate funding for Research Resources (NCRR). Existing (RPGs) in FY 2013, which begins on NCCR programs will be transferred to each federal agency and program is October 1, 2012. This would represent expected to begin later this spring other institutes and centers. The total an increase of 672 (approximately NCATS budget also includes up to even though Congress is likely to seven percent) above FY 2012. The defer final action on the budget until $10 million for the Cures Acceleration total number of RPGs is expected to be Network (CAN) authorized by the after the November elections. Senate 35,888. NIH-wide, the average size of Appropriations Committee Chairman health reform legislation (no funds were new and competing RPGs in FY 2013 is provided for CAN in FY 2011). Daniel Inouye (D-HI) instructed his estimated to be about $431,000. subcommittee chairmen to start In an explanatory statement In order to maximize resources for working on the FY 2013 spending accompanying the omnibus bill, the investigator-initiated grants, and to bills using the $1.047 trillion overall Appropriations Committees strongly continue to focus on resources for discretionary cap established by the urged NIH to ensure that its policies new and early-career investigators, BCA. “continue to support a robust extramural NIH intends to discontinue inflationary community and make certain sufficient Each Appropriations Subcommittee will allowances for competing and receive a specific spending allotment research resources are available” continuation grants, reduce non- to NIH-supported scientists across known as a 302(b) allocation which competing continuation grants by one will then be divided between agencies the country. Additional language percent below the FY 2012 level, and was included “affirming the critical negotiate the budgets of competing importance of new and competing continued on page eighteen

Genetics Society of America 7 4HE'3!2EPORTER 7INTERs3PRING Careers in Genetics: Scientific Curator by Elizabeth Ruedi, Ph.D., GSA Director, Education and Professional Development

here are jobs outside “Being a curator gives academia that value a Tperson with a Ph.D. in you the opportunity to see any life science area including genetics, but they may science on a global scale. require more creative searching than a position in academia. curator,” where I am focusing on how Eurie Hong found to develop new processes to improve one of those positions curation. This includes the novel and was interviewed application of tools that have been by GSA’s Education used in other areas of science to try and Professional to improve the efficiency of curation. I annotation Development am not managing other curators, rather using a Director, Beth Ruedi. I am trying to see how new curation controlled In the excerpt below, methods might work, and I am doing a vocabulary system; Hong describes her lot of collaboration with other groups Eurie Hong in other words, I would take education, skills and the that have good tools and software. the gene functions that have been general work environment described using free-text language TGSAR: What type of education/ of her position. The complete interview and represent that using a format that a training is required for your field? can be found at the GSA website, http:// computer program could also use. EH: Having a Ph.D. is a requirement. www.genetics-gsa.org/pages/career_ The majority of our team did series.shtml#d1. The Gene Ontology is one of the controlled vocabulary systems used postdoctoral work, but I did not. The Eurie Hong, Ph.D. at SGD so I worked on expanding key factor is that you have to be a good Senior Research Scientist the biological concepts that are scientist; we need to ensure that the Saccharomyces Genome Database represented in the GO. I also data being put into databases is of (SGD) answered questions from the scientific good quality. Stanford, California community about how to access the TGSAR: Do you have special talents The GSA Reporter: Can you provide data at SGD or direct them to other or skills that contribute to your us with your basic job description? helpful online resources. In addition, career? Eurie Hong: First, let me explain the I worked on updating the website. EH: Being a curator gives you the different curator positions I have had at Scientific curators work with the opportunity to see science on a global SGD over the years. software group to create new pages to scale. It is important to have intellectual display new data types, as well as test Initially I was hired as a scientific curiosity, the ability to learn a new all the webpages for usability. curator. The main responsibilities area of science quickly, to be able to included summarizing experimental After three years of being a scientific critically evaluate the data in that new results from the scientific literature, curator, I became the head curator. In area of science, and to see the bigger answering questions from the addition to continuing to do the jobs picture of how data are connected. scientific community, and helping of a Scientific Curator, I managed the TGSAR: What is the average income update and maintain the website. entire curation process. I was focused range for people working in At SGD we get about 100-150 new on setting curation priorities, improving your field (entry level through research papers per week. I would the efficiency and accuracy of creating experienced persons)? read the literature in order to identify annotations, and making sure that EH: This depends so much on where key, novel experimental results that projects moved forward. you are working. On the West coast, characterize the activity, biological I currently hold a senior research a scientific biocurator would start role, or localization of a gene product. scientist position at SGD. I like to at $60,000, while senior scientific I would take these data and create an refer to the position as an “academic

8 Genetics Society of America 7INTERs3PRING 4HE'3!2EPORTER biocurators would make between EH: When I was in grad school, there $80,000 and $90,000. was lots of new genomic technology, Uniting Genetics TGSAR: How many positions and I was enamored by it. My advisor for a Stronger GSA are at your current place of didn’t discourage me from thinking continued 2 employment? Do you know about using these new tools, but he made me think about the questions that Representing the Entire Genetics approximately how many similar Community positions there are in the United I would address with them. He taught States? me to evaluate tools based on their GSA is trying to do things that help the biological usefulness. This point helps entire community of genetics and to EH: There are a total of 12 curators at with curation— when I read a paper represent the collective interests and SGD, representing approximately 9 full- with a new technology, I hear his voice concerns of the community at large. For time employees. It is hard to guess the asking what biological questions can example, we hope you have been following total number of positions in the United be answered using the technology and the development of a robust set of States. [Note: The International Society this helps me not get swept up in the educational resources and activities (see of Biocuration affiliations list would place novelty of the technique. http://www.genetics-gsa.org/education/), it around several hundred]. TGSAR: What would be your and we’re about to participate in our first TGSAR: How does your current career advice to someone who large-scale outreach event: the USA Science position compare to working in is currently in a genetics Ph.D. & Engineering Festival in Washington, DC, other settings, like academia or program? What about to someone this spring. (We hope those near DC will industry? who is currently a postdoctoral help out by volunteering for a shift in the EH: It is similar to academia in that we associate? GSA booth.) have a very open office environment, EH: To graduate students I would say: The Society has just formed a Public and flexible hours are acceptable. take the time to explore! Slow down. Policy Committee to advocate on behalf of However, unlike academia, as a Don’t try to get through it as fast as you genetics, including support for scientific scientific curator you can put in your 40 can if you are enjoying yourself. If you funding and policies that foster research hours per week and do your work, but don’t think that you’ll have the luxury and education across the discipline. We depending on your responsibilities, you of freedom in graduate school, maybe have also just formed a Women in Genetics may have few requirements outside of put off going to grad school for a year. I Committee that will seek ways to enhance work. know at that age a year seems like such the diversity of the genetics community and I can’t really directly compare curation a long time. But there is really no better foster the career development of both men to industry, but I can tell you from time! Y and women in genetics. These new activities observing my friends in industry that cut across our discipline and will hopefully their position can be very stressful for engage all of you—and bring new members them. At SGD it is stressful at times, into GSA. but there is always a direct end-goal, Contact GSA with Your Suggestions which is to make the best possible data available in a way that is accessible and If you have other thoughts and searchable. suggestions, we want to hear them. Feel free to contact me or any member of the TGSAR: Why did you choose this GSA staff or leadership directly. My e-mail career? address is [email protected], and EH: When I finished grad school, I all of our contact information is on the wanted to find something where I was GSA website (http://www.genetics-gsa. exposed to a diverse range of science. “When I finished grad org/pages/contact_us.shtml),Or look for I saw the SGD position pop up on their me, GSA leadership and staff at any of the home page, and I applied. school, I wanted to find upcoming GSA conferences. We look forward Fortunately, it has been a to meeting and hearing from you. Y great fit for what I was interested something where I was in. exposed to a diverse range TGSAR: In what ways does your degree help you with this job? of science.”

Genetics Society of America 9 4HE'3!2EPORTER 7INTERs3PRING June 17-20, 2012, Washington, D.C.

GSA’s Model Organisms to Human Biology — Cancer Genetics Conference onnecting research scientists the genetic variants contributing to at the National Institutes of Health who study model organisms cancer progression. And the response (NIH) and Chris A. Kaiser, the newly- with those investigators from both the model organism and announced Director of the National Cstudying human diseases has cancer biology communities has Institute of General Medical Sciences at been the objective of the biennial been overwhelmingly positive. This NIH. Finally, MOHB will feature several GSA Model Organisms to Human will be a very exciting meeting that robust poster sessions in order to give Biology (MOHB) conference since will stimulate communication and ample time for model organism and its inception in 2006, but this year’s collaboration that we hope will lead to human cancer researchers to interact meeting has a focus: cancer genetics. breakthroughs.” informally and learn more about each The objective is to have basic research The Model Organisms to Human others’ work. scientists studying cancer relevant Biology – Cancer Genetics meeting The MOHB – Cancer Genetics biology in model organisms to meet (www.mohb.org/2012) will be held meeting immediately precedes the with investigators studying cancer in Sunday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 20, NIH-sponsored symposium marking humans. 2012 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in the completion of the modENCODE “Last year, the GSA Board decided that Washington, D.C. and promises to be project. The NIH symposium will the value of MOHB meetings would an intense, informative and exciting take place on the NIH campus on be enhanced if we focused on a broad meeting. Each of the 10 sessions Wednesday afternoon, June 20 and disease area, rather than span the will pair an invited model organism Thursday morning, June 21. MOHB entire scope of human disease as in researcher with one studying cancer in – Cancer Genetics participants can the earlier MOHB meetings. With this humans—and four talks will be chosen register for this symposium free of new format, investigators working on a from the submitted abstracts. charge. particular human disease area will be These 10 sessions will be The organizing co-chairs for this engaged during all sessions, and we accompanied by keynote addresses meeting are GSA President Phil are looking forward to dynamic cross by (Johns Hopkins Hieter and Past President (2011) Paul talk with model organism biologists University), (MIT) Sternberg. throughout the entire meeting,” said and Eris S. Lander (Broad Institute Phil Hieter, GSA’s President. For more information about MOHB, see of MIT and Harvard). In addition, the the website at www.mohb.org/2012. He added that “cancer was chosen program includes a mini-symposium Don’t forget that GSA members receive as the first disease research area in on modENCODE with presentations a significant registration discount. this new MOHB format because of the by Eric Green, Director of the National unprecedented pace of discovery of Human Genome Research Institute

10 Genetics Society of America 7INTERs3PRING The GSA Reporter

Keynoters: Presentation

Chris Kaiser, Director-Designate, Eric S. Lander, National Inst of Angelika Amon, MIT Broad Inst of MIT Bert Vogelstein, General Medical and Harvard Johns Hopkins Univ Sciences/NIH Photo credit, Kent Dayton modENCODE Symposium

Moderator and Speakers: speaker:

Eric Green, Director, Bob Waterston, Gary Karpen, National Human Univ of Washington, Lawrence Berkeley Genome Res Inst/NIH Seattle National Lab

SESSION 1 SESSION 2 Understanding Cell Defects 1: Tumor Cell Genomes: Proliferation A View Into the and Cell Cycle Abyss Regulation

Co-chairs and Elaine Mardis, Lynda Chin, MD Co-chairs and , Jacqueline Lees, MIT Washington Univ Anderson Cancer Ctr Harvard Univ speakers: speakers:

Mardis: Photo credit, Robert Boston, Washington Univ Medical Public Affairs continued on page twelve

Genetics SocietySociety of AmericaAmerica 11 4HE'3!2EPORTER 7INTERs3PRING

SESSION 3 SESSION 7 Cell Defects 2: Stem Cells and Genome Cancer Stability and DNA Repair

Sue Biggins, Co-chairs and Allan Spradling, John Dick, Michael Kastan, Fred Hutchinson Carnegie Institution Co-chairs and Duke Univ speakers: Ontario Cancer Inst speakers: Cancer Res Ctr of Washington

SESSION 4 SESSION 8 The Tumor Tumor Epigenome Evolution and Mestastasis

Co-chairs and Shiv Grewal, National Joan Massague, Steve Baylin, Johns Cancer Inst/National Co-chairs and Sloan-Kettering Denise Montell, speakers: Hopkins Univ Inst of Health speakers: Cancer Ctr Johns Hopkins Univ

SESSION 5 SESSION 9 Non-Coding Therapeutics 1: RNA and - Cancer Targeted Therapies

Co-chairs and Co-chairs and , Univ , Scott Lowe, Cold speakers: of Massachusetts Phil Sharp, MIT speakers: Sloan-Kettering Spring Harbor Labs Med School Cancer Ctr

SESSION 6 SESSION 10 Signaling and Therapeutics 2: Tumor Non-oncogene Micro- Based environment Therapies

Co-chairs and Zena Werb, Alan Ashworth, Mike Tyers, Co-chairs and Tian Xu, Yale Univ Univ of California, speakers: Inst of Cancer Res, Univ of Montreal speakers: San Francisco London

12 Genetics Society of America 7INTERs3PRING 4HE'3!2EPORTER

Erin S. Keebaugh Laura H. Okagaki Kyle R. Pomraning James E. Robinson Matthew E. Wolak Young Researchers Receive 13 DeLill Nasser Travel Awards Thirteen young researchers – five sJames E. Robinson, University of graduate students and eight postdocs California-San Diego, Neurobiology

– were selected in November 2011 of Drosophila, Cold Spring Harbor Sarah A. Gilmore, Ph.D. Eugene A. Gladyshev, Ph.D. for a 2012 DeLill Nasser Award for Labs, June 29-July 19, 2012. Professional Development in Genetics. s Matthew E. Wolak, University The award, $1,000 for each recipient, of California-Riverside, Fourth is a travel grant to attend any national International Conference on or international meeting, or to enroll in Quantitative Genetics, Edinburgh, laboratory courses that will enhance Scotland, UK, June 17-22, 2012. their careers. Past President (2011) Scott Hawley, Postdoctoral Researchers: Andrea K. Kalis, Ph.D. who knew DeLill Nasser personally sSarah A. Gilmore, Ph.D., University Richard P. Meisel, Ph.D said, “The students and the postdocs of California, San Francisco, selected for these awards exemplify Keystone Symposium on Eukaryotic those qualities that DeLill Nasser Transcription, Snowbird, UT, March promoted – high levels of inquiry on 31-April 5, 2012. research that opens windows to further sEugene A. Gladyshev, Ph.D., investigation.” , Cambridge, MA, The 13 recipients of 2012 DeLill Nasser Neurospora Conference, Monterey,

Awards, their institutions and the CA., March 8-11, 2012. Justine A. Melo, Ph.D. Clarissa J. Nobile, Ph.D. conference or lab course they intend to sAndrea K. Kalis, Ph.D., attend are: Carleton College, Northfield, MN, Graduate Students: Developmental Biology Teaching Workshop, Darling Marine Center, s Erin S. Keebaugh, Emory University, Walpole, ME, June 19-23, 2012. Atlanta, GA, 53rd Annual Drosophila Research Conference, Chicago, IL, s Richard P. Meisel, Ph.D., Cornell March 7-11, 2012. University, Ithaca, NY, Society of Molecular Biology & Evolution, sLaura H. Okagaki, University of Dublin, Ireland, June 23-26, 2012. Annalise B. Paaby, Ph.D. Michael E. Talkowski, Ph.D. Minnesota, Minneapolis, Keystone sJustine A. Melo, Ph.D., Symposium: Fungal Biology, Sante Fe, Clarissa J. Nobile, Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, s NM, January 15-20, 2012. University of California, San Boston, MA, Keystone Symposium, Francisco, 11th European Conference sKyle R. Pomraning, Oregon State “Innate Immunity: Sensing Microbes on Fungal Genetics, Marburg, University, Corvallis, 11th European & Damage Signals,” Keystone, CO, Germany, March 30-April 2, 2012. Conference on Fungal Genetics, March 4-9, 2012. Marburg, Germany, March 30-April 2, 2012. continued on page fourteen

Genetics Society of America 13 4HE'3!2EPORTERThe GSA Reporter 7INTERs3PRING

Selma Avdagic Samantha Galindo Kenneth B. Hoehn Emily Hsieh Jacqueline McDermott Mohammad Siddiq Six Undergrads Receive Finnerty Travel Awards to DROS Conference The Genetics Society of America and s Mohammad Siddiq, Indiana Drosophila genetics in her creative the Drosophila community of geneticists University, Bloomington, (#503). approaches toward undergraduate awarded six undergraduate students the “It is inspiring to see these education and research. We view Victoria Finnerty Undergraduate Travel undergraduates conducting cutting- this award as an important way to Awards. The awards were used by the edge research so early in their encourage our young scientists to students to travel to the 53rd Annual scientific careers,” said Adam Fagen, pursue research careers and become Drosophila Research Conference in Ph.D., GSA Executive Director. “We at our future scientific leaders,” said Chicago, March 7-11, 2012, where they GSA have no doubt that the future of Elizabeth Gavis, Ph.D., Past President of presented research posters. These genetics is strong with such talented the Drosophila Board of Directors and students, all juniors or seniors in college young people leading the field.” Professor at Princeton University. are: This is the first time these students The Victoria Finnerty Undergraduate sSelma Avdagic, Saint Louis have attended a professional scientific Travel Awards were established last University School of Medicine, research conference where they are year in memory of its namesake, Missouri, (abstract #671). describing their research to doctoral who was a long-time GSA member, a dedicated undergraduate educator sSamantha Galindo, University of students, postdoctoral fellows, and Wisconsin–Madison, (#971). principal investigators from research at Emory University for 35 years, and laboratories all over the world. The an active member of the Drosophila sKenneth B. Hoehn, Duke University, research community and the Durham, North Carolina,(#482). experience, described by one student as “both exciting and intimidating,” is genetics community at large. The six sEmily Hsieh, University of an opportunity for them to explore the undergraduates are the first to receive Washington and Fred Hutchinson field of genetics research as a possible this funding to attend the annual Cancer Research Center, Seattle, career. Drosophila Research Conference. (#483). “Victoria Finnerty was an outstanding To read the students’ abstracts, go s Jacqueline McDermott, Hofstra scientist and a dedicated teacher and to www.drosophila-conf.org/2012/ University, Hempstead, New York, mentor who conveyed her passion for abstracts/search.html and search by (#730). the program number listed above. Y continued 13 13 Young Researchers Receive DeLill Nasser Travel Awards sAnnalise B. Paaby, Ph.D., These awards are named in honor of The DeLill Nasser Awards for New York University, NY, Fourth DeLill Nasser (1929-2000), who was Professional Development are awarded International Conference on instrumental in promoting genetics twice a year – in the fall for meetings or Quantitative Genetics, Edinburgh, research, championing the genome labs taking place the following January Scotland, UK, July 17-22, 2012. sequencing of Arabidopsis and to June and in the spring for meetings research in Drosophila during her or labs from July through December of sMichael E. Talkowski, Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, 22 years as a program director with the current year – to graduate students Swamscott, MA, Advances in the National Science Foundation. She and postdoctoral fellows. For more Genome Biology and Technology, was particularly supportive of young information, see www.genetics-gsa. Marco Island, FL, February 15-18, scientists, those at the beginning of org/pages/delill.shtml. Y 2012. their careers, and those trying to open new areas of genetic inquiry.

14 Genetics Society of America 7INTERs3PRING 4HE'3!2EPORTER continued 1 2012 GSA Award Recipients Announced his year exemplify the seminal Joanne Chory, contributions that genetics makes to Salk Institute for our fundamental understanding of Biological Studies In addition to research in her own living systems, helping point the way A long-time lab, Dr. Markow is director of the toward such applications as developing member of GSA, Drosophila Species Stock Center, a new treatments for human disease and Dr. Chory is a living collection of more than 1,600 increasing the yields of agricultural leading molecular strains and 250 species of Drosophila crops. We are delighted to honor these and cellular plant biologist, using supported by the National Science geneticists who have added so much genetic approaches in Arabidopsis Foundation. This center is an invaluable not only to our field, but to society as a thaliana to elucidate the molecular resource for genetics researchers whole.” mechanisms underlying plant worldwide who use Drosophila to These five researchers and educators development. Dr. Chory’s research answer fundamental questions in have a broad range of research and helps understand how plants detect evolution, ecology, developmental professional interests. More information and respond to changes in their biology, physiology, neurobiology, about the recipients and their awards environment, particularly light, which comparative genomics, and genomics. are listed below: has implications for the growth and The Elizabeth W. Jones Award for Excellence in development of agricultural crops in The Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal for lifetime Education, which recognizes significant and challenging environments. contributions in the field of genetics is named in sustained impact in genetics education, was honor of the classical geneticist who was among The George W. Beadle Award for outstanding established in 2006 as the GSA Excellence in those researchers who laid the foundation for contributions to the community of genetics Education Award, but was renamed for its first modern genetics. Morgan received the 1933 researchers, was established by GSA in 1999 recipient after her death in 2008. The award Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his and named for its past president (1946), who honors Jones, who during her decades-long studies of Drosophila chromosomes and the role received the 1958 Nobel Prize in Physiology or tenure at Carnegie Mellon was director of the chromosomes play in heredity. Medicine for his discovery of the role of genes HHMI Undergraduate Biological Science Program Kathryn V. in regulating biochemical events within cells. and a mentor to many in the field of genetics. In addition to his pioneering genetics research, Anderson, David A. Beadle was also a leader in the educational and Memorial Sloan- Micklos, Cold scientific communities, serving as president Kettering Cancer Spring Harbor of the (1961–1968) and Center. Laboratory as a member of numerous influential national Dr. Anderson is committees. Mr. Micklos, a developmental a science Therese biologist who has spent decades educator and Markow, discovering the genes and proteins writer, founded University of that interact during embryonic the DNA Learning Center (DNALC) California, San development to control embryonic at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Diego. patterning in both Drosophila and mice. (CSHL) in 1987 as the nation’s first Her work with genetic screening has Dr. Markow is science center solely devoted to public led to seminal discoveries including a professor of evolutionary biology education in genetics. Through this genes controlling developmental and ecology, studying , center, Mr. Micklos has brought the patterns of the Drosophila nervous the evolution of mating systems, and excitement of DNA science into the system, the immune system response adaptation to novel environments. educational curriculum for thousands in fruit flies, and the early development Her research on cactus-breeding of students, high school teachers, of mammalian embryos. Drosophila in the Sonoran Desert and undergraduate faculty. With his The Genetics Society of America Medal was has broad implications for the field of books and the DNALC website, he established by GSA in 1981 to recognize mid- population genetics, particularly the has brought genetics and genomics career researchers for outstanding contributions genetic and ecological factors driving resources to students and teachers to the field of genetics during the previous 15 reproductive isolation, which eventually nationwide and is helping to develop years of their careers. leads to the development of distinct an educated citizenry in genetics. species. continued on page eighteen Genetics Society of America 15 president’s message 4HE'3!2EPORTER continued 3 7INTERs3PRING investigators who study cancer- who were discovering fundamental relevant problems in model mechanisms of biology in yeast and organisms with those who study worms that have proven to be relevant human cancer. (see page 10) It will to human disease. His final conclusion: be a unique meeting that provides collaboration will be the key to the opportunity for investigators addressing the grand challenge. working with model organisms and He summed up by saying, “As with humans to communicate with GSA President Phil Hieter, left, with GSA members and Gruber we shift from gene discovery to each other, exchange ideas, and forge Genetics Prize winners, Ronald Davis (2011) (Stanford Univ function and therapy, the nature of the new collaborations. A diverse set of Sch of Med), center, and Maynard Olson (2007) (Univ of Washington, Seattle) at the International Congress of Human collaborations will change, but the biological processes and experimental Genetics in Montreal in October 2011. need for collaboration will increase, not systems will be highlighted because decrease.” Here he was talking about genetics and the Curt Stern Award to the principles of cross species analysis the interface between human geneticists David Altschuler for groundbreaking of basic gene function extend to the and basic biologists, to elucidate gene work in human genetic variation and its study of all human disorders. I hope and genome function and thereby application to disease. you will join me in attending this enable rational approaches to disease exciting meeting, and help spread In presenting the Gruber Prize, prevention and therapy. the word to your colleagues in the Maynard Olson (2007 Gruber Prize biological and medical fields. winner) described an amazing Building an Integrated Genetics series of breakthroughs by Davis Community Interaction Among Geneticists and his collaborators over several I also had the opportunity to meet with Just this past October, I had the decades. Notably, both Olson and Mary-Claire King, the current president opportunity to attend the 2011 Davis are recipients of the GSA Medal of ASHG. In our discussions, we International Congress of Human (1992 and 1998, respectively), and agreed that GSA and ASHG have many Genetics (ICHG) and was struck again it was gratifying to see the value of common goals and are interdependent at how next generation sequencing has fundamental yeast genetics research in many ways: increased collaboration blown the roof off the pace of discovery recognized by the Gruber Foundation across the societies would be mutually of human genetic variation and its and to see these two GSA members beneficial and productive. association with human disease. at center stage before the human Mary-Claire also visited the GSA Board genetics community. Again, there seemed to be a cry for meeting last November, where she information about gene function, so In his acceptance speech for the Stern described the current issues being that the mutation mapping discoveries award, David Altschuler articulated the addressed by ASHG, articulated the could lead to potential therapies. How value of unbiased genetic mapping urgent need for gene function analysis do we translate genomic information experiments in defining the variants in the human genetics field, and to advancements in diagnosing, that contribute to human phenotypes communicated her desire to explore preventing, and treating human of interest. He described how the ways of interfacing the two societies disease? history books will show that from 1980 better. One outcome is that the GSA The answers are in the elucidation of to 2020 genetic mapping revealed will sponsor a mini symposium on gene function and in the understanding a vast number of causal factors for “Model Organism Genetics, Human of how biological mechanisms are human disease — a “genetic anatomy Biology, and Human Disease” at the affected by specific mutations. Here of human diseases.” But that in the November 6-10, 2012 ASHG Annual is where model organism genetics, foreseeable future, we must focus on Meeting in San Francisco. a new “grand challenge”— figuring coupled with dynamic cross-talk If we are to maximize benefit and out the functions of many genes, how and collaboration between medical inspire students, government, and they cause disease, and how to use scientists and basic researchers, will the general public, support of GSA this information to prevent and treat illuminate and be critical for years to programs across all areas of genetics disease. come. must be creative and collaborative, and One of the most memorable sessions at Altschuler then described his must involve our membership. observations, as a medical student at ICHG was when two prestigious awards I invite you to join me in engaging Harvard, of basic researchers in the were presented — the International closely with our Society in 2012 and neighboring labs of Fred Winston and to Ron Davis beyond, to further the GSA’s critical Gary Ruvkin (also GSA members), for fundamental breakthroughs in yeast mission. Y

16 Genetics Society of America 7INTERs3PRING 4HE'3!2EPORTER

memory of DeLill Nasser (1929-2000), this is for the general fund, DeLill who was a long-time member of GSA Thank You Nasser, Victoria Finnerty or Chi-Bin and National Science Foundation Chien awards. Mail your check to to Our Donors program director in eukaryotic GSA, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, genetics. The awards are to support GSA Fund Donors: August MD 20814-3991, Attn: Adam Fagen, travel costs for graduate students 2011 – December 2011 Executive Director. and postdoctoral trainees who attend The Genetics Society of America says national or international meetings or “thank you” to the nearly 150 members who enroll in laboratory courses. For GSA Contributors who contributed $10,000 to the Society the past two years, GSA has awarded from August-December 2011 to Boosters ($100+) $1,000 each to 25 deserving young support our general and special funds. Allan B. Burdick, Columbia, MO scientists. Your financial support goes directly Andrew Chisholm, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla to the next generation of geneticists. s4HE Victoria Finnerty Memorial Edward H. Coe, University of Missouri, Columbia In 2011 GSA disbursed more than Fund for Undergraduate Travel William F. Dove, University of Wisconsin, Madison Awards was established in 2011 to Jay C. Dunlap, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH $75,000 in travel and poster awards to Janan T. Eppig, Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME hundreds of young scientists who are in honor the memory of Victoria Finnerty Ann K. Ganesan, , CA the beginning stages of their careers. (1938-2011), who was a long-time GSA Marian R. Goldsmith, University of Rhode Island, member, a dedicated and creative Kingston We appreciate our members’ generous Richard A. Hackel, Oakland Gardens, NY support, but the need is always great. professor of undergraduate genetics David J. Harris, Auburndale, MA We ask those of you who have not yet at Emory University, and a supportive Robert K. Herman, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Ralph Hillman, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA contributed to consider making a tax- and contributing member to the Robert A. Holmgren, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL deductible donation or adding to your Drosophila community. This year, six J. L. Kermicle, University of Wisconsin, Madison previous giving. undergraduate students received travel Eric Kubli, University of Zurich-Irchel, Switzerland Michael Lichten, CCR/NCI, Bethesda, MD awards through this fund to attend “Especially in this time of constrained Dan L. Lindsley, University of California-San Diego, La the 53rd Annual Drosophila Research Jolla federal, state, and institutional Conference in Chicago, IL. (See page Anthony P. Mahowald, University of Chicago, IL budgets, it is more important than Corinne A. Michels, Queens College – CUNY, Flushing, NY 14 for article.) ever for GSA to support the next Orlando J. Miller, Lansdowne, VA Walter E. Nance, Sewanee, TN generation,” said Adam Fagen, GSA’s s4HEChi-Bin Chien Award is David L. Nanney, Urbana, IL Executive Director. “GSA travel grants new this year to honor research by Lester J. Newman, Portland, OR a student, postdoctoral researcher Leo W. Parks, Seattle, WA provide vital opportunities to engage Peter Philippsen, University of Basel, Switzerland young scientists in the professional or a recently appointed faculty John R. Pringle, Stanford University Medical Center, CA community, and awards can provide member. The award was developed James H. Roberds, Harrison Expt, Saucier, MS in recognition of the enthusiasm, love Millard Susman, University of Wisconsin, Madison the encouragement and recognition Kelly Tatchell, Louisiana State University Medical Center, students and postdocs need to continue of discussion of scientific ideas, and Shreveport in their careers.” collaboration that Chi-Bin Chien (1965- Koichiro Tsunewaki, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Japan Susan R. Wessler, University of California, Riverside 2011), a professor of neurobiology GSA has several funds open to MaryAlice Yund, Berkeley, CA and anatomy at the University of Anonymous (10) contributions: Utah, modeled within the zebrafish Victoria Finnerty s4HE GSA General Fund provides community. A cash award and an support for GSA poster awards, Celeste A. Berg, , Seattle invitation to speak at the biennial Steven W. L’Hernault, Emory University, Atlanta, which are made to outstanding International Conference on Zebrafish GA undergraduates, graduate students, Development and Genetics will be Janis O’Donnell, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and postdoctoral researchers at of the presented to the recipient. GSA-sponsored conferences. It also DeLill Nasser We hope that you will give generously helps support GSA’s newly-established Edward Coe, University so GSA can continue to support young undergraduate travel awards that of Missouri, geneticists, helping ensure a bright Columbia enable undergraduate students future for our discipline. To donate by Barry Scott, Massey presenting posters to attend many of University, Palmerston credit card, please go to https://secure. the GSA-sponsored conferences. North, New Zealand genetics-gsa.org/gsa_donation/donate. Supporters ($50-99) s4HE DeLill Nasser Fund for shtml. Or send a check, payable to the Professional Development was Jeffrey M. Becker, University of Genetics Society of America. In the Tennessee, Knoxville established in 2001 and is named in “note” of the check indicate whether continued on page nineteen Genetics Society of America 17 4HE'3!2EPORTER 7INTERs3PRING

continued 15 2012 GSA Award DROSOPHILADROSOPHILA Recipients Announced The Edward Novitski Prize, which recognizes an extraordinary level of INCUBATORSINCUBATORS creativity and intellectual ingenuity in solving a significant problem(s) in genetics research was established in 2007 by the family of Drosophila Incubators with controlled temperature, lighting, and geneticist Edward Novitski (1918¬–2006). The prize honors geneticists humidity for fly research. Chambers have a 15-30°C who tackle difficult problems using innovative experimental approaches, temperature range*, highest just as Novitski did in his research on chromosome mechanics. quality Electrofin© coated coils, RH meter, casters… and many Dana Carroll, University of Utah other features, depending on the level of sophistication Dr. Carroll was the first to adapt an needed. Six sizes (from 6 c.f. to enzyme (specifically, zinc finger 72 c.f. capacity) and four levels nucleases) to generate targeted of temperature, lighting, and chromosomal breaks at specific humidity control. locations in a DNA sequence, utilizing the natural cellular DNA repair ,_[LUKLK [LTWLYH[\YL YHUNLZ H]HPSHISL0UJ\IH[VYZMVYTVZX\P[VHUK mechanisms to introduce new genetic ZHUKMS`YLZLHYJOHYLHSZVH]HPSHISL material in that region. This technology allows researchers to introduce engineering changes in genes of interest into living experimental organisms for the first time. This method of targeted mutagenesis and gene replacement is currently 800.998.0500‹tel 215.230.7100 being used in a wide array of eukaryotes, and applications www.powersscientific.com of this technology range from elucidating gene function to correcting genetic diseases in humans. For more information about each award and for a list of past recipients, please visit the GSA Awards page at http://www. genetics-gsa.org/pages/awards.shtml.Y continued 7 Perspective on the Federal Budget within their jurisdiction. The allocations will go into effect in January 2013 to under sequestration. Democrats on the for each subcommittee will provide reduce the deficit through immediate House Appropriations Committee did the first look at how the spending cap spending cuts split equally between their own analysis and projected that could affect specific agencies such as defense and non-defense discretionary NIH would have to cut between 2,500 NIH. spending; nearly all and 2,700 grants, and the impact on Additional Budgeting federal research support new awards would likely be severe. Complications is in this latter category While some members of Congress and would receive The Joint Committee have begun efforts to exempt certain significant reductions agencies (especially the Defense on Deficit Reduction’s under sequestration. It (JCDR) failure last fall to Department) from the cuts, President will be up to Congress to Obama has said he would veto any reach agreement on a decide how to implement plan to reduce the federal effort to undo the “sequestration” the cuts required by process and urged Congress to deficit by $1.2 trillion as mandated by the sequestration process, an issue the BCA adds an additional layer of develop a balanced plan to cut that lawmakers will likely debate $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit. complexity to the completion of the FY throughout 2012. 2013 budget. It remains to be seen whether If cuts are applied equally across the lawmakers will be able to put aside Since the JCDR did not produce agencies, the Congressional Budget their differences and agree on a plan a deficit reduction plan, a budget Office has estimated that NIH would to find the savings needed to avoid the process known as “sequestration” face a 7.8 percent reduction in FY 2013 mandatory funding cuts.Y

18 Genetics Society of America 7INTERs3PRING 4HE'3!2EPORTER continued 1 New Executive Director Now on Board affairs with chief responsibility for at federal agencies and Congress, Research Fellow and NSF Graduate government relations, education and advocacy partners, educators, the Teaching Fellow in K-12 Teaching. communication. media, and the public. Prior to joining Dr. Fagen served as co-director of the “We are delighted to welcome Dr. ASPB in 2010, Dr. Fagen was a senior 2000 National Doctoral Program Survey, Fagen to GSA as Executive Director,” program officer with the Board on Life an on-line assessment of doctoral said Paul Sternberg, GSA Past Sciences at the National Academies programs organized by the National President. “He brings a breadth of where he directed National Research Association of Graduate-Professional experience in science policy and Council studies, workshops, and other Students (NAGPS), supported by leadership, including several areas activities on a wide range of topics the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and of particular importance to GSA from postdoctoral training to stem cell completed by over 32,000 students. members: science education and research, biosecurity to undergraduate He was honored with two NAGPS training, outreach, and government education. He earned a Ph.D. in President’s Awards and the NAGPS relations. More generally, his molecular biology and education from Lifetime Achievement Award. Harvard University and a master’s, also knowledge of genetics, understanding Dr. Fagen replaced Phyllis Edelman of the scientific community, energy, from Harvard, in molecular and cellular biology, which is based on laboratory who served as acting executive vision, and communications skills director during the search process will bring a fresh intensity to GSA in research in molecular evolutionary genetics. He holds a BA in biology and who has stepped into her helping us meet our goals and ensure a previous position as GSA Manager vibrant future for the society.” and mathematics from Swarthmore College. Dr. Fagen was a National of Communications and Public At ASPB, Dr. Fagen served as its Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Relations.Y chief representative to policymakers

continued 17 Thank You to Our Donors GSA Fund Donors: Dec 2010 – March 2011 Amy M. Bejsovec, Duke University, Durham, NC Susan R. Haynes, NIGMS/NIH, Bethesda, MD Friends ($1-49) Giuseppe Bertani, California Institute of Technology, Jonathan Hodgkin, University of Oxford, United Kingdom Pasadena Joel A. Huberman, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, Joseph P. Ardizzi, Bloomsburg University, PA Jnanendra K. Bhattacharjee, Miami University, Oxford, NY Phillip T. Barnes, Connecticut College, New London, CT OH Barbara B. Knowles, A*STAR, Institute of Medical Biology, Edward Blumenthal, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI Bonita J. Brewer, University of Washington, Seattle Singapore Hugh D. Braymer, Pennington Biomedical Research Shelagh D. Campbell, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Leslie A. Lewis, York College – CUNY, Jamaica, NY Center, Baton Rouge, LA Canada John C. Loper, University of Cincinnati College of Shyam K. Dube, University of Maryland Biotech Institute, Todd A. Ciche, Michigan State University, East Lansing Medicine, OH College Park, MD Robin E. Denell, Kansas State University, Manhattan Beth A. Montelone, Kansas State University, Manhattan Kejin Hu, University of Alabama at Birmingham Daniel F. Eberl, University of Iowa, Iowa City Janis M. O’Donnell, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Moss Krupnick, Voorhees, NJ JoAnne Engebrecht, University of California, Davis Fernando Pardo-Manuel de Villena, University of North George M. Martin, University of Washington, Seattle John Ewer, Universidad de Valparaiso, Chile Carolina, Chapel Hill Jacqueline Eve McDermott, Taunton, MA Jack Favor, HZM-Inst Humangenetik, Neuherberg, Louis J. Pierro, Manchester, CT Sameer H. Qari, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA, Germany John Plenefisch, University of Toledo, OH Saudi Arabia Michael Feiss, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Elizabeth C. Raff, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN Maurice J. Rosenstraus, Somerset, NJ Iowa City Jane S. Schultz, Riverside, CA Alice L. Schroeder, Pullman, WA Catherine A. Fox, University of Wisconsin, Madison Gary D. Stormo, Washington University Medical Center, Albert W. Spencer, Durango, CO Magda Gabor-Hotchkiss, Lenox, MA St Louis, MO Bernard S. Strauss, University of Chicago, IL Susan A. Gerbi, Brown University BioMed Division, Beth E. Stronach, School of Michael H. Vodkin, Champaign, IL Providence, RI Medicine, PA David L. Williamson, Nesconset, NY Sol H. Goodgal, University of Pennsylvania School of Jeremy Thorner, University of California, Berkeley Ulrike Wintersberger, Wien, Medicine, Philadelphia William B. Wood, University of Colorado Boulder Anonymous (11) James E. Haber, , Waltham, MA Naoki Yamanaka, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Marc S. Halfon, SUNY, Buffalo, NY Armon F. Yanders, Columbia, MO Victoria Finnerty David H. Hall, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, Kelvin Yen, Los Angeles, CA Wendi Neckameyer, Saint Louis University School of NY Anonymous (20) Medicine, MO Philip D. Harriman, Rohnert Park, CA Rebekah S. Rasooly, NIDDK/NIH, Bethesda, MD Shin Hatakeyama, Saitama University, Japan Anonymous (3)

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