Winter • 2014 The GSA Reporter

winter 2014

How to Choose Five Geneticists Receive Renowned a Postdoc GSA Awards for 2014 By the Trainee Representatives to We are pleased to announce the questions related to controlling mitotic the GSA Board: Andrew Adrian, 2014 recipients of the GSA Awards, and meiotic cell divisions. She was Krista Dobi, and Kathleen Dumas who will receive their awards at GSA the first to demonstrate a connection conferences during 2014. The five between the physical completion of So you’ve made individuals honored are recognized anaphase and the initiation of mitotic it close to the end by their peers for outstanding exit, which is key to understanding of your doctoral achievements and contributions to the basic cellular processes. More training, and genetics community. recently, her research has focused you’ve decided “The 2014 GSA award winners are on the genetic consequences of you are interested impressive scientists who collectively aneuploidy, cells with too few or too in further pursuing have positively influenced the field many chromosomes, as it relates to Andrew Adrian a career in of genetics in research, in education, stress responses and cancer. Although research by doing and in fostering the genetics her lab primarily uses yeast, she has a postdoc. community,” said GSA President also studied trisomy in the mouse as a model of aneuploidy in mammals. How do you go Vicki Chandler. “These awards about making provide an annual opportunity for She is an elected member of the the genetics community to recognize National Academy of Sciences this important those individuals whose superb (NAS), and is the recipient of the decision? Unlike achievements have advanced the Ira Herskowitz Award from GSA’s applying to Krista Dobi science of genetics. On behalf of GSA, yeast genetics community, NAS graduate school, I thank each of the award winners for a Award in Molecular Biology, Paul the postdoctoral lasting contribution to the field.” Marks Prize for Cancer Research, application and Recipient: Angelika B. Amon, Alan T. Waterman Award from the decision making PhD, Massachusetts Institute of National Science Foundation, and the process is very Technology and Presidential Early Career Award for much a free-for-all, Howard Hughes Scientists and Engineers. often undertaken Medical Institute Recipient: Frederick M. Ausubel, with little guidance Kathleen Dumas PhD, Harvard Medical School and and direction. Award: Genetics Society of Massachusetts Here we lay out some advice from America Medal General Hospital our perspectives at various stages for outstanding Award: Thomas of the process, from graduate contributions to the Hunt Morgan school through the postdoctoral field of genetics Medal for lifetime experience. during the past 15 years contributions to the In your choice of a postdoctoral Dr. Amon is the Kathleen and Curtis field of genetics position, you are making two main Marble Professor of Cancer Research Dr. Ausubel decisions: you are choosing a at the Koch Institute for Integrative is Professor of research area in which to work, Cancer Research and a Howard Genetics at Harvard Medical School and an advisor to supervise your Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and the Karl Winnacker Distinguished training for the next stage of your Investigator. She has uncovered Investigator in the Department of career. While these decisions key biological principles governing Molecular Biology at Massachusetts continued on page five the cell cycle. Her work has served General Hospital. as a guide to scientists who study continued on page four Genetics Society of America 1 The GSA Reporter Winter • 2014

From the Executive Director

s I’ve written in past columns, GSA has been reaching out to you, our members, to find out how the Society can best serve the genetics Acommunity. We’ve been especially interested in Published three times a year the perspectives of our student and postdoc members, and distributed by since trainees have been joining at such a high rate The Genetics Society of America that they now make up more than half of the GSA Volume 11, Number 1 membership. Officers One of the consistent messages we’ve been hearing Vicki L. Chandler, President is that GSA can do more to help you prepare for and Jasper Rine, Vice President find your career. As a result, GSA has been rolling out a Michael Lynch, Past President Anne M. Villeneuve, Secretary number of new initiatives designed to address just that. Adam Fagen Sue Jinks-Robertson, Treasurer For example, we’re launching a new Trainee Bootcamp Directors at this year’s Drosophila Research Conference, with similar efforts planned at other GSA Angelika Amon Lauren M. McIntyre conferences. The Bootcamp will offer six hours of professional development workshops Lynn Cooley Mohamed A. F. Noor for graduate students and postdocs that will allow dedicated time to explore topics Anna Di Rienzo Dmitri A. Petrov you’ve recommended—including how to get funding, advice on publishing, and careers Sarah C. R. Elgin John C. Schimenti Marnie E. Halpern Deborah A. Siegele in and out of academia. The fly meeting Bootcamp will all be held just prior to the formal start of the conference so you don’t have to pick between advancing your career Journal Editors-in-Chief and attending scientific sessions. Please keep an eye out for the Trainee Bootcamp Mark Johnston, GENETICS when registering for GSA conferences and make your travel plans accordingly. And a Brenda J. Andrews, big thank you to Sonia Hall (University of Kansas), a trainee representative for the GSA G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics Education Committee, for helping organize the Bootcamp at the fly meeting. Executive Director We’re also very excited about the launch of GeneticsCareers.org at the end of 2013. Adam P. Fagen This new jobs board offers a forum for matching qualified job seekers with careers Trainee Advisory Reps and training opportunities across the breadth of our discipline, including academic, Andrew Adrian industrial, government, and nonprofit positions. We welcome postdoctoral and student Krista Dobi positions in addition to full- and part-time jobs. GeneticsCareers.org is a joint project Kathleen Dumas of GSA and the American Society of Human Genetics—the two largest professional societies in genetics worldwide—so you’ll find listings across not only model systems, Elizabeth A. Ruedi contributed the content for this newsletter unless otherwise indicated. but also human genetics, genomics, fundamental and translational research, and much more. The publication of an advertisement in this newsletter does not constitute on the part of the Genetics Best of all: GeneticsCareers.org is free to both employers and job seekers. If you or your Society of America a guarantee or endorsement of the quality or value of the advertised products or services colleagues have positions to fill, we encourage you to post them; if you’re a trainee or described in the advertisement, or of any of the representations or claims made by the advertisers with in the market for a new position, check out the growing list of opportunities—or post respect to such products or services. your resume so that potential employers can find you. GeneticsCareers.org is provided 9650 Rockville Pike without cost as a service to the community and a resource to our members. Bethesda, MD 20814-3998 Of course, we rely upon your continued membership and charitable support to enable Tel: (301) 634-7300 Fax: (301) 634-7079 GSA to develop and maintain programs and services that serve the needs of the Email: [email protected] genetics community. www.genetics-gsa.org Copyright ©2014 by the Genetics Society of America. Sincerely, All rights reserved.

2 Genetics Society of America president’s message Winter • 2014 The GSA Reporter

unexpected discoveries. doing advanced research?” We need We are all aware of the crisis with to take responsibility for this lack of respect to federal funding of research. understanding and help to change it. National Institutes of Health (NIH) How? disbursements have trended down Research!America surveys have by 10% over the past decade, in shown that few Americans can name 1 real terms , and this trend has a practicing scientist and even fewer accelerated over the past four years. personally know a scientist3. This Other agencies such as the National immediately suggests a path forward Science Foundation (NSF) and for each and every one of us. What the Department of Energy (DOE), if each of us committed to devoting which support basic science across significant time talking with people who are not well connected with the What is compounding academic enterprise? Each of us Vicki Chandler the flat or decreasing could share our stories about what I am excited to begin my service as budgets is an drives our passion for discovery, our President of GSA. The Society is in increasing emphasis on desire to make a difference in the great shape and my predecessors have translational research by world and explain why and what we positioned GSA to continue to grow many federal agencies. research. Each of us could share how and provide additional benefits to its science works—for instance, that members and the broader community each professor is a small business of researchers. Stay tuned for more entrepreneur and that most of our the life and physical sciences and specifics to come! In this letter I am jobs intimately combine research and engineering, are similarly affected. issuing a call to each of you to help teaching. We could do this formally at “make the case” for fundamental, What is compounding the flat or speaking venues in our towns such as discovery-driven research at your decreasing budgets is an increasing Science Cafés or public lectures, and institutions, within your communities, emphasis on translational research statewide and nationwide. While by many federal agencies. The desire in classes we teach for non-science asking you to think about “what you to focus the scientific enterprise on majors. We could also do this informally can do for science,” I also want to learn society’s problems and challenges is in discussions with our neighbors, the from you how GSA could help. understandable, whether the emphasis people sitting next to us on planes and is on human disease or Earth’s in other social situations. Genetic approaches using model degrading environment. Translational organisms within each phylum of life research is also easier to “sell.” Much I have two questions: for those who have contributed to our fundamental discovery-driven research will not have been engaging in these types of understanding of how cells work, lead directly to an easily understood activities, what have your experiences how traits are passed on, and the translational appli-cation; for those been, and what are the ways GSA can ecosystem processes and evolutionary that do, it often takes decades, and help? For those of you who haven’t, how forces contributing to all of the above. they are not predictable ahead of could GSA help lower the activation This understanding, which rapidly time. However, in my opinion the barrier? Are there tools, trainings, advanced over the past 60 or so emphasis on translational research materials or other things we could years, spurred on the biotechnology is short sighted if this focus comes at provide? Let me know your thoughts industry and enabled all life scientists the expense of strong support of basic by contacting me at: president@ to capitalize on the multiple genome research, the seed corn of the scientific genetics-gsa.org. sequences and other “omics” results enterprise. 1 M. Hourihan et al., Intersociety Working Group, Report of the past two decades. Genetic XXXVIII, Research and Development FY 2014. AAAS, May approaches continue to be essential We have our work cut out for us. 2013. for testing hypotheses that arise from Findings from a recent project 2This research, conducted by two communications strategy “omics” and other observational undertaken by a group of organizations firms, included four focus groups that tested public opinion approaches—they are essential to to understand the current environment and messaging with a cross-section of voters in two swing 2 move from intriguing ideas toward for research revealed that the public states, in preparation for a national poll of about 1400 people. a more mechanistic understanding. does not understand what “basic” 3 Genetics is more important now than research is. That term tested very Research!America poll of U.S. adults conducted in poorly in focus groups, generating little partnership with Zogby Analytics, with support from the ever, whether contributing solutions to American Society of Hematology, in November 2013 grand challenges impacting our health understanding and comments such as, and our planet, or revealing amazing, “After all this time, why aren’t scientists

Genetics Society of America 3 The GSA Reporter Winter • 2014

New Staff Members GSA is pleased to welcome two new staff members: accomplished science writer (including work with Science News) Cristy Gelling, PhD, joins us as the new GSA Journals Assistant and has been an active volunteer with the American Society for Editor, where she will be working with Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and American Society for Cell the Editors-in-Chief, Senior Editors, Biology. and staff to enhance the reach of Wujun Zhou joined the Information Technology team at GSA this the GSA journals, GENETICS and G3: past fall as Web Developer. Although our Genes|Genomes|Genetics. She will be IT staff usually work behind the scenes, working with authors and reaching out they are an essential element to the work to the community to help promote the that we do to support membership, GSA science published in both journals. Cristy conferences and so much more. Wujun holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular joins GSA following completion of a Genetics (University of New South Wales, Australia, working with master’s in computer science at California Ian Dawes) and conducted postdoctoral research in yeast genetics State University, Fullerton. (with Jeff Brodsky, University of Pittsburgh). She is also an

Five Geneticists Receive Renowned GSA Awards for 2014 continued page 1 During his 40-year career, Dr. Ausubel’s work has centered in symbiotic nitrogen fixation; establishing Arabidopsis on host-microbe interactions and host innate immunity. as a world-wide model system; identifying a large family He has used genetic approaches to conduct pioneering of plant disease resistance genes and multi-host bacterial work that spawned related areas of research including: pathogens; and demonstrating that C. elegans has an the evolution and regulation of Rhizobium genes involved evolutionarily conserved innate immune system that shares features of both plant and mammalian immunity. His early work with Klebsiella pneumonia and Rhizobium meliloti brought discoveries about key regulatory networks DROSOPHILADROSOPHILA in free-living and symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria and the genes that symbiotic bacteria use to interact with their INCUBATORSINCUBATORS hosts. He also applied genetic analysis to the host side of microbial plant and microbial animal interactions, using Incubators with controlled temperature, lighting, and Arabidopsis and C. elegans to define fundamental immune humidity for fly research. Chambers have a 15-30°C defense mechanisms. Ausubel’s findings support the temperature range*, highest hypothesis that key features of host-defense responses, quality Electrofin© coated coils, and the offensive strategies pathogenic microbes use, have RH meter, casters… and many ancient origins. other features, depending Dr. Ausubel is an elected member of the National Academy on the level of sophistication of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and needed. Six sizes (from 6 c.f. to the American Academy of Microbiology. 72 c.f. capacity) and four levels Recipient: Hugo J. Bellen, DVM, PhD, Baylor College of temperature, lighting, and of Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute humidity control. Award: George W. Beadle Award *Extended temperature ranges for outstanding contributions to the available. Incubators for mosquito and community of genetics researchers sand fly research are also available. Dr. Bellen holds positions as the Charles Darwin Professor in Genetics and the March of Dimes Chair in Developmental Biology, Departments of Molecular and 800.998.0500 • tel 215.230.7100 Human Genetics and Neuroscience, www.powersscientific.com and he is also Director of the Graduate Program in continued on page fourteen 4 Genetics Society of America Winter • 2014 The GSA Reporter

By the Trainee Representatives How to Choose a Postdoc continued page 1 to the GSA Board: Andrew might seem straightforward at in the lab of a junior faculty member Adrian, Krista Dobi, and the outset, they are likely to have will likely have a great deal of face Kathleen Dumas longstanding influence on your future time from that advisor. By comparison, career, and likely your happiness and joining the lab of Professor X might wellbeing. leave you little personal connection In choosing a research area, you are or attention. If you are interested deciding the field in which you will in new faculty, consider who they Also think outside of the lab itself: Is strive to establish yourself as an expert. trained with. Often you can tap into there opportunity for interaction and/ The work you do as a postdoc will lay that network, even if one step removed or collaborations with other labs and the groundwork for the rest of your (think scientific grandparents – we all PIs? Are there facilities and courses scientific career. Because of this, it is know grandparents love and spoil their to train you in new equipment and important to give serious thought to grandkids!). techniques? Moving forward in your the research area: what are the big Additionally, with the choice of career, you will continue to need many questions to be answered in this field? postdoc advisor, you are choosing a strong references – does your potential Do some (hopefully most) of these management style and a workplace postdoc provide the opportunity to questions excite you? What is known culture. Is the lab dynamic likely to make these connections and expand and what remains to be worked out be an environment in which you will your professional “board of advisors”? in this field? What is the competitive thrive? Know yourself; what worked While many graduate students choose landscape like, and does that mesh and didn’t work for you in graduate to postdoc because they hope to well with your goals? Ask yourself, do school with regard to mentoring and run their own lab someday, postdocs you want to join a burgeoning field with management styles? Once you know provide great training for alternative lots of attention and excitement, but what you want, (or at least, what you careers. Consider whether a potential also plenty of completion? Or, are you want to avoid) start trying to find out postdoc offers opportunities to teach interested in something potentially less who of your top contenders fit the or take courses in new areas. A look sexy, but with plenty of space for you to bill. Ask your Ph.D. advisor, thesis at where lab alumni currently work carve out your own niche? committee, or any other faculty you will let you know if postdocs go on to primarily academic careers, or if the PI Once you have a clear idea of the field know and respect what they know is supportive of those who chose other in which you would like to train, you of the people on your list. People paths. can begin to draft your list of potential with your best interests at heart will advisors (check out postdoc job be honest with you – if they know Keep in mind how your decision will postings on GeneticsCareers.org to get that Professor X always puts three impact your quality of life: Can you started!). In choosing your advisor, you postdocs on the same project for his afford to live in the place where you will are choosing a mentor who, hopefully, own version of the Hunger Games, be a postdoc? Do you want to live in will remain an important asset to they will let you know! Another way the place where you will be a postdoc? your career throughout its entirety. to get at this information is to talk to Is the institution supportive of postdocs: We all know that who you know can people currently in the lab, or alumni does it provide housing support, sometimes be as important as what you of the lab. Stalk the websites of your benefits, an organization of your peers? know, so there is reason to consider the top contenders – often email addresses Does the position provide adequate place of your potential advisor within of lab members and alumni are listed support for you to be comfortable, i.e. the landscape of the field in which you or easy enough to find elsewhere. enough funding per year, as well as will work. The notoriety of working You will also get a glimpse of the reasonable security of funding in future for the illustrious Professor X can lab culture on your interview. Take years? Will you be required to write certainly help get your foot in the door full advantage of this opportunity for postdoctoral fellowships? What will with journal editors, reviewers, hiring and carve out time to speak to your happen if you are unsuccessful in these committees, et cetera. However, if the potential colleagues one-on-one to applications, or need to stay in your tradeoff is a lack of interaction with and gain insight into their experiences. postdoc longer than the fellowship? support from your advisor, the perks Carefully consider what you are likely Throughout the process, keep in of a famous PI are likely not worth it. to get out of the training experience: mind that you are choosing your There can be big upsides to working how does the lab expand and postdoctoral position. When you go to with new faculty – while “unproven,” complement your training? What non- your interviews, remember that you are and thus assumedly risky, a postdoc bench skills will you learn from being interviewing the PI and the lab as much a postdoc in this lab at this institution? as they are interviewing you!

Genetics Society of America 5 The GSA Reporter Winter • 2014

Eleven Postdoctoral Researchers Charissa de Bekker, PhD Pennsylvania State University, State Trainees College, PA 12th European Conference on Fungal Receive Genetics the Spring 2014 3/23–3/27/2014, Seville, Spain “My research focuses on unraveling the complex mechanisms underlying manipulation of host behavior by the fungal parasite Ophiocordyceps.” DeLill Nasser Award Graduate Students George Eisenhoffer, Jr., PhD for Professional Yang Cao Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT Madison, WI GSA 11th International Conference on GSA 55th Annual Drosophila Research Development Zebrafish Development and Genetics Conference GSA is pleased to announce the selection 3/26–3/30/2014, San Diego, CA 6/24–6/28/2014, Madison, WI of eleven early career researchers – five “I am investigating two fundamental “The goal of my research is to elu cidate the mechanisms that neurobiological processes, synaptic development and regulate the birth and death of cells within epithelial tissues, graduate students and six postdoctoral neuroprotection, using Drosophila as an animal model.” and understand how specific alterations may lead to epithelial researchers – as recipients of a spring pathologies and cancer.” Huan Chen Eric Joyce, PhD 2014 DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Columbia University Medical Center, New Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Development in Genetics. The award is a York, NY GSA 55th Annual Drosophila Research $1,000 travel grant for each researcher Mechanisms of Recombination Meeting Conference to attend any national or international 5/19–5/23/2014, Alicante, Spain 3/26–3/30/2014, San Diego, CA “I am studying the molecular mechanism of meeting, conference or laboratory course “My research is aimed at understanding the DNA double-strand break repair and genome mechanism and function of chromosome that will enhance his or her career. integrity in eukaryotes.” interactions, with a primary focus on interactions between homologous sequences.” “GSA is always honored to present the DeLill Fang Yun Lim Eric Stoffregen, PhD Nasser Awards because they are about University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of North Carolina at Chapel promoting the future of our discipline,” Madison, WI Hill, Chapel Hill, NC said Adam Fagen, PhD, Executive Director 12th European Conference on Fungal GSA 55th Annual Drosophila Research Genetics of GSA. “Attending scientific conferences Conference 3/23–3/27/2014, Seville, Spain and courses is an essential element of 3/26–3/30/2014, San Diego, CA practicing science, and we are glad to “I study the genes responsible for synthesizing various secondary metabolites prepackaged in the spore (infectious particle) “My research uses Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly, as a model play a role in fostering the professional of Aspergillus fumigatus and how these spore metabolites to investigate the biological functions of BLM, a protein that helps prevent cancer by enabling the proper replication and repair of DNA.” development of some of our most promising impact disease establishment (invasive aspergillosis) in immunocompromised individuals.” early career members.” Sen Xu, PhD Matthew Niepielko Indiana University, Bloomington, IN The DeLill Nasser Award was established Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Daphnia Genetics Consortium Meeting by GSA in 2001 to honor its namesake, GSA 55th Annual Drosophila Research 1/19–1/22/2014, Birmingham, United DeLill Nasser (1929–2000), a long-time Conference Kingdom GSA member who provided critical support 3/26–3/30/2014, San Diego, CA “My research aims to understand why the to many early career researchers during majority of eukaryotic organisms engage in sexual reproduction by “I study the evolution of morphologies; in examining the genetic mechanisms and consequences of obligate her 22 years as program director in particular, I focus on how changes in the epidermal growth factor parthenogenesis (i.e., virgin birth) in the freshwater microcrustacean receptor signaling mediate new morphologies on the Drosophila Daphnia.” eukaryotic genetics at the National Science eggshell.” Foundation. Since the formation of this Amanda Zacharias, PhD award, over 100 graduate students and Nathaniel Sharp University of Pennsylvania, postdocs have received funding for travel University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Philadelphia, PA to further their career goals and enhance Canada Systems Biology: Global Regulation of their education. The program is supported Evolution 2014 Meeting Gene Expression by GSA, and charitable donations from 6/20–6/24/2014, Raleigh, NC 3/18–3/22/2014, Cold Spring Harbor, NY “I study mutation rates and the effects of “I use the nematode worm, C. elegans, as a model to study how genes members of the genetics community. harmful mutations on males and females.” are turned on and off during development.”

6 Genetics Society of America Summer • 2013 The GSA Reporter Eleven Undergraduates Win Victoria Finnerty Travel Awards to Present Trung T. Phan Senior, University of Washington Research at the Drosophila Poster Title: “Analyzing the critical role of Pskl, a sperm membrane protein, in Genetic Conference Drosophila fertilization” Description: Our research focuses the GSA and the Drosophila research community identification and characterization of sperm are pleased to announce the winners funding for undergraduates to attend the proteins that are required for successful fertilization in Drosophila. of the Victoria Finnerty Undergraduate annual Drosophila Research Conference, Principal Investigator: Barbara Wakimoto, PhD Travel Awards. The awards will be used having already provided more than $10,000 AnnJosette Ramirez, by the students to attend the 55th Annual to enable 16 undergraduates to attend GSA’s Senior, Arcadia University Drosophila Research Conference in San Annual Drosophila Research Conference. Poster Title: “Exposure of larvae to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) causes Diego, March 26–30, 2014. These 11 2014 Victoria Finnerty dysregulation of the dTOR signaling pathway recipients are college juniors, seniors, or Undergraduate Travel Award in Drosophila melanogaster” post-baccalaureates conducting academic Description: My research focuses on the Daniel A. Friedman effects of the environmental toxicant perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) research using the fruit fly Drosophila on growth, survival and gene expression in the fruit flyDrosophila Senior, University of California, Davis melanogaster as a model organism. melanogaster. Poster Title: “Evolution of sex comb Principal Investigator: Sheryl Smith, PhD For most of the recipients, the 2014 enhancers of the HOX gene Sex combs reduced” Drosophila Research Conference will be Zachary L. Sebo, Description: I research the role of their first opportunity to participate in regulatory DNA sequences in the evolution of Senior, University of Missouri, Kansas City an international professional scientific a sex-specific trait. Title: “ER stress attenuates insulin signaling through tribbles-mediated block of Principal Investigator: Artyom Kopp, PhD research conference. The Finnerty Award Akt activity” winners will be presenting their research Nancy J. Levansailor Description: I am using the fruit fly as to more than 1,500 other undergraduates, Senior, State University of New York at a model system to study molecular links between obesity and insulin resistance. graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, Fredonia Poster Title: “Visualization of Sqd-grk Principal Investigator: Leonard Dobens, PhD university faculty and others. interactions in live Drosophila oocytes using “It was inspiring to read these applications. tri-molecular fluorescence complementation Letitia Thompson (TriFC)” The number of extraordinary undergraduates Senior, The College of New Jersey Description: I am developing a new technique to visualize Poster Title: “grk mRNA alternatively conducting significant research far interactions between protein and RNA in living cells. spliced during oogenesis” exceeded the number of awards we had Principal Investigator: Scott B. Ferguson, PhD Description: Using Drosophila available,” said Helen Salz, PhD, Chair melanogaster, we are trying to understand Katharine Majeski how genes are expressed, in particular how of the Finnerty Award review committee Senior, Kennesaw State University proteins are made at the appropriate time and location within the and a professor at Case Western Reserve Poster Title: “Live imaging of muscle oocyte. University in Cleveland, Ohio. development in akirin mutants” Principal Investigator: Amanda Norvell, PhD Description: I am using live time lapse Adam Fagen, PhD, Executive Director of GSA, microscopy to view muscle development in a Daniel M. Wong added, “We look forward to the opportunity novel Drosophila mutant. Senior, University of California, Los Angeles these talented undergraduates will have to Principal Investigator: Scott J. Nowak, PhD Poster Title: “The effects of hypoxia in determining larval size in Drosophila present their research to an international Aidan L. McParland melanogaster” Junior, University of New England audience at the Drosophila Research Description: My research project focuses Conference and we hope to hear much more Poster Title: “Steroid signaling modulates on characterizing how oxygen deprivation nociception in Drosophila melanogaster” restricts cell, tissue, and organismal growth. from them at scientific conferences in the Description: My research investigates Principal Investigator: Julian A. Martinez-Agosto, PhD years to come.” if decreasing function of steroid hormone prevents pain in the fruit fly. The Victoria Finnerty Undergraduate Travel Chenling Xu Principal Investigator: Geoffrey Ganter, PhD Senior, University of California, Davis Awards were established in 2011 in memory Marvin Nayan Poster Title: “Comparative genomics of its namesake, who was a long-time of Drosophila simulans endosymbiont GSA member, a dedicated undergraduate Post-baccalaureate, University of Washington Wolbachia in natural populations” Poster Title: “MicroRNA processing by educator at Emory University for 35 years, Description: I am looking at the genomic Dicer-1 regulates Drosophila sensory neuron differences between two strains of symbiotic and an active member of the Drosophila morphology” bacteria that live inside the cells of fruit flies and how those research community and the genetics Description: I investigate the molecular differences might cause them to affect the host reproduction in and cellular mechanisms that regulate dendrite morphogenesis. different ways. community at large. This is the third year Principal Investigator: Jay Z. Parrish, PhD Principal Investigator: Michael Turelli, PhD the Victoria Finnerty awards have provided Genetics Society of America 7 The GSA Reporter Winter • 2014

Caenorhabditis elegans Opens the Gates to the Nematode Pheromone World infections in the future, we need to In the next five years, the pheromone develop novel drugs. Pheromones, field is heading toward three major small signaling compounds, are basic research areas: 1) molecular well known control agents for insect biology of nematode pheromones; 2) pests by interfering with mating or application of concepts from development. C. elegans to parasitic nematodes; In 2005, the nematode pheromone and 3) nematode chemical ecology. floodgates were opened with the Molecular biology of pheromones discovery of dauer pheromone is now a flourishing field including in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dauer topics like function, regulation and pheromone regulates entry into a long- signaling of pheromones. Nematode lived stress-resistant stage, dauer. Soon pheromones, called ascarosides, belong to a large class of compounds by Fatma Kaplan after, more dauer pheromones were discovered. Entry into dauer stage is (> 150 identified). We currently know Nematodes are the most controlled by individual pheromones, the function of a handful of ascarosides in C. elegans. There are many more abundant animals on earth whereas social behavior is controlled by blends of the dauer pheromones. with unknown functions. Questions and parasitize nearly every The first pheromone-regulated that still need to be answered include: How many ascarosides are actually plant, insect and animal. nematode behavior discovered was mating behavior. This was followed biologically active? Do the biologically When they infect pests, they by many other behaviors including active ascarosides function by themselves or in a mixture? Regulation can be used as biological aggregation, attraction, dispersal and repulsion. Very recently, the same class is another important field of inquiry. controls. However, when of pheromones was found inside How are the expression of biosynthetic C. elegans and other nematodes. genes regulated; they infect plants and In insect parasitic and transcriptionally and/or animals, they either free living nematodes, translationally? How pheromones regulate is the pheromone threaten our food security behavior and activity by reducing plant yield or development of life The application of regulated? stages analogous Are the cause diseases in animals. to dauer in C. concepts from C. elegans pheromones unstable or For example, nematodes cause many elegans. Now conjugated; diseases in humans such as hookworm, the question: to plant and insect sequestered pin worm and intestinal roundworm Can nematode in a infection (acariasis). Approximately pheromones be parasitic nematodes will subcellular 1/6 of all humans are infected by used to control compartment? nematodes worldwide. Even though plant and animal drive major advances. What are nematode infections are effectively parasitic nematodes? the genes that treated with drugs, nematodes are Of course, the answer pheromones regulate? developing resistance to current to this question will come Of course, signaling is a nematicides, much like antibiotic- with understanding the biology of subject of current and future study. resistant bacteria. To treat nematode nematode pheromones. For example, the first step in signaling

8 Genetics Society of America Winter • 2014 The GSA Reporter

is the recognition of the signal, so nematode pheromone/QS signals are jam competitor’s signals by producing researchers can begin to understand involved in host parasite interaction or structural analogs or degrading each signaling by isolating the receptors in how they affect host gene expression other’s pheromones for development C. elegans and other nematodes. and immune systems. Understanding or social behavior? Are pheromones The application of concepts from C. how nematode quorum sensing signals involved in interacting with other elegans to plant and insect parasitic affect host parasite interaction in plants species? The nematode pheromone nematodes will drive major advances. and insects provides field will have major advances Many ascaroside pheromones were us a platform to in understanding the biology of identified in C. elegans, making it apply concepts to nematode pheromones, application “Do nematodes easier to identify and study the function nematodes that of concepts to other nematodes of ascaroside pheromones in other cause disease use pheromones to and nematode chemical ecology. in humans and nematodes. Since plant and insect influence each other’s nematodes are parasitic nematodes, develop drugs there is a potential to explore whether that combat population size?” pheromones are involved in host human parasitic parasite interaction. For example, nematodes. nematodes use pheromones to There will be major Dr. Kaplan was the winner determine their density like bacterial advances in the role of pheromones of an essay contest quorum sensing (QS). Furthermore, in nematode chemical ecology. Some bacterial QS signals regulate bacterial potential questions are: Do nematodes asking GSA members virulence and reprogram animal and use pheromones to influence each to write about plant gene expression and immune other’s population size? If yes, how is the future of their field. systems. We do not know whether this achieved? For example, do they

Thank You to the GSA Donors The Genetics Society of America is future of our discipline. From $1 to Contributions are tax deductible grateful to our 193 donors who have $10,000, every donation is greatly to the extent the law allows. GSA is contributed $18,190 from May 2013 appreciated for the impact it makes a nonprofit charitable organization through January 2014 to the Society on the next generation of researchers under 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue and/or its special funds. Your charitable or the genetics community at large. Service Code. donations enable GSA to support To donate by credit card, please go to educational programs, public policy genetics-gsa.org/donate. You can also GENERAL FUND add a donation when you join or renew activities, and media and public President’s Circle ($500+) outreach that promote our field and the your Society membership: genetics- Keith C. Cheng, Pennsylvania State University College of next generation of geneticists. gsa.org/membership. Medicine, Hershey, PA Adam P. Fagen, Genetics Society of America, Bethesda, MD The GSA programs supported by your To contribute by check, make it out Joseph G. Gall, Carnegie Institution, Baltimore, MD donations include GSA Undergraduate to the Genetics Society of America, Boosters ($100-$499) Travel Awards, DeLill Nasser Awards and indicate any specific fund in the Thomas W. Cline, University of California, Berkeley, CA for Professional Development in “memo” line: GSA General Fund, Edward H. Coe, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO Genetics, poster awards at GSA DeLill Nasser Fund, Victoria Finnerty, Orlando J. Miller, Lansdowne, VA John R. Pringle, Stanford University School of Medicine, conferences. Your contributions also or Chi-Bin Chien Award. Mail your Stanford, CA support GSA programs in education, check to GSA, 9650 Rockville Pike, Vassie Claudia Ware, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA communications, and advocacy. Bethesda, MD 20814-3991, Attn: Adam John R. Pringle, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA We invite every member to make Fagen, Executive Director. Millard Susman, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI a contribution to GSA to ensure the continued on page 19 Genetics Society of America 9 The GSA Reporter spotlight Winter • 2014 On the GSA Journals In the first part of an ongoing Until recently, the standards of science complimentary! Progress in science series of conversations have been determined by actual builds on the work of others. The past practicing scientists. That tradition goes and the future are inextricably linked. with the editors of the GSA back to at least The Enlightenment, That’s been part of my core vision journals, we chat with with the French Academy, which since I became Editor-in-Chief. Mark Johnston, Editor-in- evaluated and certified (or rejected) The lions of the field have published every major discovery that was made. seminal work in our journal, from Chief (EiC) of GENETICS, Established scientists who were Bridges, Muller, and McClintock to and Professor and Chair, leaders in their fields determined Brenner, Horvitz, and Hartwell. Authors which ideas and discoveries were can publish in the same journal as did Department of Biochemistry valid and which were specious. Luria and Delbruck, and Sewall Wright, and Molecular Genetics, That was still mostly the case when I and Ronald Fisher, and Crow and University of Colorado School entered graduate school (in the mid Kimura (and many other luminaries). ‘70s): the premier journal in my field And while GENETICS provides a of Medicine. was the Journal of Molecular Biology, professional and scientific thread When did you whose editors were the founders of that extends back to the founders of first become the field, household names among its our field, it also points to our future. interested practitioners. By 1980 a new paradigm We provide intellectual leadership in being a for journals had emerged, in which in emerging areas such as genomic scientist? the most prestigious journals were selection for improvement of crops and I always edited not by practicing scientists but livestock, and the use of multiparent wanted to be by professional science journalists, crosses to study complex traits, a scientist. I often with little experience as with novel series like YeastBook and was curious scientists. I’ve never understood why our Educational Primers, and with about what we gave them the authority to set the innovative features like links in articles was in the standards of our field. I think practicing directly to model organism databases, world. I had a chemistry set when I scientists—peers of the authors who ORCID ID integration, and article was quite young, and I remember submit their work for publication (and themes published across GENETICS collecting butterflies, husbanding validation)—should reclaim their and G3, for maximum impact. tropical fish, and bird watching. But responsibility for setting the standards Scientific publishing and what really captured my interest of the field. We are doing that with communication are rapidly changing, was microscopic life. I had a small GENETICS, as are many other society- and our goal is to lead rather than microscope and would look at sponsored journals. But we will only be follow. Making the most of the newest drops of pond water, captivated by successful if grant review and hiring technology, including social media, the animalcules swimming around. and promotion committees recognize helps us to communicate scientific When I was in middle school, I read that work published in peer-edited findings more efficiently and in more a biography of Louis Pasteur. I was journals has passed the most stringent interesting ways than even five years fascinated that we could learn things scrutiny—that of our peers—and if ago. We’ve just added Altmetric about organisms that couldn’t be seen authors continue to submit their best data to articles so authors can see (without magnification). That book and work for publication in peer-edited who’s talking about their work. We’ve its ideas sealed the deal for me. And, as journals. streamlined our editorial processes it happens, for the past ~15 years, I’ve and pride ourselves on being been studying the basis of the Pasteur How does a journal like GENETICS, accessible, agile, and fast! For several Effect (and its opposite, the Crabtree/ dating to 1916, manage to innovate Warburg Effect). and at the same time build on years, our goal has been to give its illustrious history? How is authors a first decision within 30 days. As EiC of GENETICS, you’ve long GENETICS staying on the cutting- We answer pre-submission inquiries been a proponent of ‘peer-editing’ – edge? and can even fast-track manuscripts. a term and a concept you’ve coined. Our early online articles are free to What does that mean, and why is it History and innovation are not read, and are in PubMed, complete important? mutually exclusive. In fact, they’re

10 Genetics Society of America Winter • 2014 The GSA Reporter with DOI, within a week or so of result, and under whose aegis their you’re given extraordinary freedom acceptance. In that sense – we’re not work will be published. It’s important to discover. It’s an unbelievable and your mentor’s GENETICS! to understand the environment, the creative opportunity. bigger picture—which can be easy to Our field is data-driven. It’s important What do you like about being EiC? miss when the field is flooded with new to make sure authors provide that data, journals and new publishers, some with First, I’m proud to carry the baton on so others can re-use and replicate loud voices and aggressive marketing this leg of the journal’s race. It’s an results, and we’ve got a data policy and branding, wrapped in backers with honor to be on the roster of GENETICS that upholds that idea. We’ve also deep pockets. Look closer and you’ll EiCs, to be linked back to the founders made supplemental data easy to find, see that society-sponsored journals of our field. Second, it’s a joy to work and publish just about any format have long been doing what some of the with our Editorial Board. I rely on them authors dream up. As always, we still flashy new ones are touting. heavily and am always impressed with want authors to tell their whole story their insightful counsel and dedication. – with no limits on pages, figures, or What’s on the horizon for My heart swells with pride when I supplemental data. We now allow GENETICS? read their decision letters, which are deposits of manuscripts in pre- We’re expanding our scope into always—yes, always—thoughtful, publication servers like arXiv, which several areas. We’d like to attract more fair, and helpful. I sincerely believe was a direct response to community articles in human genetics. Astonishing that GENETICS editors are setting requests. advances in DNA sequencing and the standard of peer-editing, helped Because our editors are part of the genotyping technology have quickly by reviewers who take their roles practicing scientific community, brought analysis of humans almost to seriously. Third, I enjoy helping authors we have direct connections that the level of that of model organisms. improve the presentation of their provide insight into real-world Significant answers to fundamental stories, which ultimately improves the problems researchers encounter genetic questions are likely to come impact of the work. This is a major goal with their science, and their needs from studies of humans in the near of our reviewers and editors, and it’s in communicating it. All in all, we’re future, and GENETICS should be satisfying to see that result. I actually honoring our rich legacy and at the part of that conversation. The same like wordsmithing. For the past few same time charging forward. technological advances, and others, years I’ve been editing the titles of such as recent advances in gene at least half of the manuscripts that Why publish in a society journal, editing technology (several of which are accepted. Finally, I love working specifically GENETICS or G3? were recently reported in GENETICS), with our Editorial Office staff. Anyone Scientific societies (and its members) have leveled the playing field for who has interacted with Tracey, Ruth are the trustees of their journals. Only experimental organisms. Because new and Wendy knows how efficient and societies provide the transparent methods and technology are necessary engaged they are. Our new Journals governance that ensures that the for advancing science, we are Assistant Editor, Cristy Gelling, PhD, journal is serving the community and expanding our Methods, Technology came on board in January and is a the field. Like a company’s Board of and Resources section of the journal. terrific science writer. Having a robust Directors ensures that the leadership And GENETICS has been encouraging editorial office was one of my goals is acting in the best interests of the and facilitating the development of when I took the role as EiC, and I think shareholders, the GSA’s Board of new experimental model organisms we’ve achieved that. Directors makes sure that the journals’ with its Toolbox series of articles Rumor has it you like to ski, leadership is serving its stakeholders— that highlight resources available for hike, golf, and fish. Been on any communities of scientists and the emerging model organisms. GENETICS adventures this year? larger society that ultimately benefits in fact wants more submissions from scientists’ research output. By of manuscripts reporting original I moved to Denver five years ago. publishing in the journals of the GSA, research using these organisms. That’s Colorado offers lots of opportunities authors support more than just the groundbreaking stuff! to be outdoors. One of my new year’s Society; they’re supporting science and resolutions is to carve out the time for What’s the best piece of advice for a communities way beyond our reach. just that. Last fall, I went on a terrific young scientist? When authors submit manuscripts to 4-day bike trip through Canyonlands Be a student or postdoc for as long journals not affiliated with a scientific in Utah. I’m hooked! I’m going to do it as possible! It’s the best time of your society, they might ask themselves again this year. career because you’re only responsible who and what they’re supporting, for yourself. If you work hard (and what effects conflicts of interest and smart) and choose the right mentors, funding sponsors may have on the end

Genetics Society of America 11 The GSA Reporter Winter • 2014

Communications Committee trainee representatives is especially important for this GSA Welcomes The Communications Committee was formed in 2013 committee. to provide guidance to the Society on communications Patrick Gibney Eleven New activities directed at both our own community and Postdoctoral Researcher an external audience. Communications is important Princeton University, Princeton, NJ Trainee not only for keeping members of the Society engaged but in Representatives helping enhance appreciation for genetics research and Jennifer Apger- education more broadly. to the Board and McGlaughon Sarah Piloto Graduate Student Committees Postdoctoral Researcher Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Sanford-Burnham Medical Research GSA is pleased to introduce Institute, San Diego, CA Publications Committee eleven new graduate students and Conferences Committee The Publications Committee is charged with providing postdocs in leadership roles as This high-level committee is charged with providing guidance on matters related to the publication trainee representatives to the Board guidance on the Society’s portfolio of conferences of the Society’s scholarly journals, GENETICS and of Directors and GSA Committees. and to help provide strategic G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics. The committee is an These new trainee representatives direction on the ways that GSA important center for discussions will serve two-year terms (through the can best serve the genetics of policy and strategy related end of 2015) and are joining thirteen community through its to the journals, complementing other trainees appointed last year meetings. efforts by the editorial boards of who serving out the second year of Xiaofeng (Allen) Su the journals themselves. Graduate Student Maria Cattani their terms. These representatives are Indiana University, Bloomington, IN directly engaged in helping set GSA Postdoctoral Researcher New York University, New York, NY priorities and guide its activities. Education Committee Public Policy Committee “The trainee representatives appointed The Education Committee is charged with providing guidance on the Society’s activities related The Public Policy Committee was created in 2012 last year have done an excellent job to education, career development, and public and is charged with providing guidance on advocacy working individually and collectively outreach. This includes advising on the professional and policy activities to most effectively represent to bring student and postdoc development programming at GSA conferences; the collective interests of the genetics community, perspectives to GSA decisions,” guiding the direction of GSA PREP, the Society’s online including to policymakers and government officials. said GSA Executive Director Adam peer-reviewed education resource portal; setting the Fagen. “We thank the continuing and yearly goals for GSA education; new trainee reps for their time and and many other tasks. dedication to the Society and for all of Heather Bennett their great ideas that are helping GSA Graduate Student better serve our student and postdoc Brown University, members.” Providence, RI Representative to the GSA Board Rami Ajjuri Benjamin Krinsky of Directors Graduate Student Graduate Student Mary Durham University of Alabama, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL Trainee representatives participate Postdoctoral Researcher Tuscaloosa, AL in the semi-annual meetings of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD Women in Genetics Committee GSA Board of Directors, which sets The Women in Genetics (WiG) Committee provides the overall direction for the Society. Membership Committee guidance to the Society on issues related to Their opinions add The Membership Committee is charged with providing enhancing gender equity within GSA and the a much-needed guidance on recruiting and retaining members of the scientific community. This new committee has perspective, as half Society, including member benefits and services that been looking broadly to ensure that the Society’s of GSA members are best serve the needs of the members and potential activities—including awards trainees. members. The committee thinks broadly about the and conferences—reflect the Andrew Adrian kinds of people that the Society should have among diversity of our discipline. Graduate Student its membership and how to make sure GSA appeals to Lauren Dembeck University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA them. Because students and postdocs now represent Graduate Student the majority of members of the Society, the role of the North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

12 Genetics Society of America Winter • 2014 The GSA Reporter Twenty-five Trainees Receive Best Presentation Awards in Genetics at Conferences Dedicated to Serving Underrepresented Minorities EDUCATION he Genetics Society of America is a proud participant ABRCMS 2013 RESEARCH in two renowned conferences dedicated to serving Now in its thirteenth year, ABRCMS Tunderrepresented minorities in science, technology, is the largest, professional engineering, and mathematics (STEM): the Society for conference for minority students to Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science pursue advanced training in STEM. Approximately 3,500 (SACNAS) National Conference, and the Annual Biomedical people, the majority of whom were undergraduate students Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). and STEM professionals, attended the conference in Each year, GSA exhibits at both of these conferences, Nashville, Tennessee, November 11-14, 2013. spreading awareness about the Society and careers in the 2013 ABRCMS Developmental Biology and field of genetics. Additionally, GSA sponsors awards for Genetics Award Winners (co-sponsored by GSA best oral and poster presentations at each meeting. We and the Society for Developmental Biology): congratulate all of the winners, and thank the judges for • Best Oral Presentation: helping select these outstanding early career scientists! o Alexis Collier, Lincoln University SACNAS 2013 National Conference o Francisco Galdos, Harvard University The SACNAS National Conference • Best Poster Presentation: is designed to support trainees o Osamah Badwan, University of Puerto Rico at and professionals as they transition Humacao through the stages of their career with the goal of assisting them into o David Bullock, North Carolina Central University positions of science leadership. More o Michael Emami, University of California, Irvine than 3,500 attendees participated o Daniella Espiritu, University of Arizona in the 2013 conference in San Antonio, Texas, October 3-6, 2013. o Rafael Gutierrez, Miami Dade College 2013 SACNAS Genetics Award Winners: o Krystal Harrison, North Carolina A&T State University • Graduate Student Oral Presentation in Genetics: o Jason Torres, University of Chicago o Emily Hernandez, University of California, Irvine • Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation in o Hamid Hussaini, University at Buffalo, State Genetics: University of New York o Brayon Fremin, University of New Mexico o Emily Irey, University of Minnesota, Morris o Aditi Trivedi, University of California, Santa Barbara o Nancy Lopez, University of California, Los Angeles o Alexandra Wiscovitch Bonilla, Massachusetts o Matilde Miranda, San Francisco State University Institute of Technology o Moises Paramo, University of California, Irvine o Jodie Wu, San Jose State University o Brian Perez, University of California, Los Angeles o Gordon Pherribo, Carnegie Mellon University o Christopher Pineda, San Francisco State University Introducing A free service of the Genetics Society of America and American Society o Derek Platt, Tennessee State University of Human Genetics, GeneticsCareers.org provides a forum for matching o Rafael Rivera-Lugo, University of Puerto Rico at qualified job seekers with careers in all areas of genetics. GeneticsCareers. org has the potential to bring together more than 12,000 researchers, Ponce educators, clinicians, genetic counselors, students, postdocs, and other o Alexandra Wiscovitch, University of Puerto Rico at professionals in genetics. Post a job or find a new position today—it’s free! Mayagüez

Genetics Society of America 13 The GSA Reporter Winter • 2014

Five Geneticists Receive Renowned GSA Awards for 2014 continued page 4

Developmental Biology at the Baylor and is a leader in emergent discipline the College of Biological Sciences College of Medicine and an HHMI of post-genome systems biology. at the University of Minnesota. Her Investigator. His visionary, creative approach to research focuses on work for exploring Dr. Bellen has made seminal science has focused on the global the genetics, molecular and cellular contributions to the fields of mapping of genetic interaction biology, and physiology of cold genetics, developmental biology, networks. Dr. Boone invented the adaptation in yeast. and neuroscience through a steady Synthetic Genetic Array (SGA) Consistent with her philosophy of stream of insightful experiments in technology, transforming the field linking research and education, Robin Drosophila. His lab has addressed of yeast genetics. SGA provides an includes undergraduate students fundamental questions regarding automated method to both cross in all of her research. She seeks to genes involved in neuronal thousands of specific strains carrying teach how to think like and to actually development, neurotransmission, precise mutations and map large- be a biologist, working in teams and most recently the mechanistic scale yeast genetic interactions. These and looking at real-world problems. basis for neurological diseases such network maps offer researchers a This active approach to learning as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). In functional wiring diagram of the cell, has taken off at the University of parallel with this landmark science, which clusters genes into specific Minnesota, and has other universities he has worked to expand the toolbox pathways and reveals functional looking to Wright for guidance. She available to Drosophila genetics. Dr. connections. His innovative method emphasizes a learner-centered model Bellen is a leading scientist in the provides insight into difficult human of classroom work that promotes Drosophila Gene Disruption Project genetic problems, including the origin and enhances lifelong skills, and is effort to disrupt and tag Drosophila of complex inherited diseases and described as having “transformed genes on a comprehensive scale, an phenotypes, and it has catalyzed work biological education at the University effort initiated with previous Beadle in labs worldwide. of Minnesota” through several efforts Award winners Gerry Rubin and Allan Dr. Boone serves on the editorial including developing the interactive, Spradling. Moreover, his laboratory boards of both GENETICS and G3: stimulating Foundations of Biology developed simple mapping methods, Genes|Genomes|Genetics. He is also course sequence, emphasizing active including a highly versatile transgene an HHMI international research scholar learning and open-ended research; system named P[acman], the MiMIC and a Fellow of the American Academy spearheading the construction of transposable element, and libraries of Microbiology, American Association Active Learning Classrooms; and of transgenic flies and MiMIC strains. for the Advancement of Science, and establishing Student Learning These efforts have provided ~15,000 the Canadian Institute for Advanced Outcomes, standards that measure new stocks with single transposable Research. Dr. Boone previously biology education. She serves element insertions, which enable received the Ira Herskowitz Award from as founding Editor-in-Chief of mutational analysis of ~75% of GSA’s yeast genetics community. CourseSource, a focused national Drosophila genes. effort to collect learner-centered, Recipient: Robin Wright, PhD, outcomes-based teaching resources Recipient: Charles Boone, PhD, University of Minnesota University of Toronto in undergraduate biology. Award: Elizabeth W. Jones Award Dr. Wright is a Senior Editor for Award: Edward for Excellence CBE–Life Sciences Education and a Novitski Prize, in Education, member of the steering committee which recognizes which recognizes for the National Academies–HHMI an extraordinary significant and Summer Institutes on Undergraduate level of creativity sustained impact Education in Biology. She is a Fellow and intellectual in genetics of the American Association for the ingenuity in education solving significant Advancement of Sciences, a National Dr. Wright problems in Academies of Science Education is a Professor in the Department genetics research Mentor in the Life Sciences, and of Genetics, Cell Biology and is a past chair of GSA’s Education Dr. Boone is Professor and Canada Development, and Associate Dean Committee. Research Chair at the University of for Faculty and Academic Affairs in Toronto’s Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research and Department of Molecular Genetics,

14 Genetics Society of America Winter • 2014 The GSA Reporter

Budget Deal Provides $1 Billion Increase For NIH By Jennifer Zeitzer, Director of Legislative Relations, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology A bipartisan agreement reached by Representative Paul A report accompanying the omnibus bill noted that basic Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in December biomedical research “must remain a key component of both ended several years of budget dysfunction on Capitol Hill, the intramural and extramural research portfolio at NIH.” resolved a dispute between the House and Senate over The report also instructed NIH to distribute the provided the fiscal year (FY) 2014 discretionary spending level, and funding increase proportionally among all of the Institutes replaced scheduled sequestration cuts with other savings. and Centers and directed the agency to adopt a reasonable In addition, a breakthrough in the budget gridlock restored policy for non-competing and competing inflation rates power to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees consistent with the overall growth in the budget. In addition, that were marginalized after Congress allowed the federal the appropriators stated that NIH is expected to support as government to operate under a series of “continuing many scientifically meritorious new and competing research resolutions” in 2013. projects as possible, at a reasonable award level. NIH was The Ryan-Murray agreement increased FY 2014 spending also told to provide inflationary increases in research trainee to $1.012 trillion, a compromise between the $1.058 trillion stipends. NSF received a warning that future growth in level adopted by the Senate and the FY 2013 post-sequester interdisciplinary research should not come at the expense limit ($967 billion) preferred by the House. Over the of adequate support for infrastructure and core research Christmas holidays, the Appropriations Committee worked programs in each of the agency’s scientific disciplines. The to combine the 12 individual FY 2014 spending measures omnibus continued the existing restriction that prohibits into an omnibus package (HR 3547) reflecting the increased NSF from using funds to pay for more than 50 employees to spending level. To ensure that the voice of the research attend any single conference or meeting outside the U.S. community was heard as the omnibus bill was being drafted, Although the battle over FY 2014 funding ended on a the Federation of American Societies for Experimental positive note for biomedical research, there will be little Biology (of which GSA is a member) issued an e-action rest for advocates as lawmakers are expected to turn their alert urging scientists to contact their members of Congress. attention to the FY 2015 budget early this spring. On January More than 7,200 emails were sent to Capitol Hill asking 23, the White House announced that President Obama will lawmakers to support the highest possible funding levels for submit his FY 2015 budget request to Congress on March 4. the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Release of the President’s request is the traditional first step Foundation (NSF), and other research agencies. in the annual budget process and is typically followed by Good news for NIH came on January 13 when House Appropriations Committee hearings to review the proposed Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and funding levels for agencies and programs. his counterpart, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) publicly There is some hope that the discussion about spending released the omnibus bill, providing a $1 billion increase priorities will be less contentious than it was last year for NIH and additional funding for several other research because the Ryan-Murray agreement also established the agencies. NIH received $29.9 billion – three percent above discretionary spending limit for FY 2015. However, the FY the FY 2013 post-sequester level. Although, the increase 2015 level ($1.014 trillion) is essentially the same as the does not completely replace all of the funding NIH lost due current rate, and the long-term fiscal outlook is far less to sequestration, it is certainly a step in the right direction. optimistic. Unless Congress changes the law, the strict NSF was funded at $7.2 billion, four percent ($200 million) spending caps enacted through the Budget Control Act over the agency’s 2013 budget. With little debate, the House of 2011 and the threat of sequestration will return in 2016, passed the omnibus spending bill on January 15 by a vote guaranteeing that the fight to sustain the investment in NIH of 369-67. Senate approval of the bill followed later the same and NSF is far from over. week, and President Obama signed it on January 17.

Genetics Society of America 15 The GSA Reporter Winter • 2014

By Tracey Discovering science on the go: mobile DePellegrin, D FIN FIND Executive Science doesn’t stay in the lab, or the FIN Editor, GSA D office, so why should the way you read Journals about discoveries be any different? In 2013, GENETICS and G3 joined the growing ranks of journals that Scientific publications today provide provide readers with automatic mobile anything but the two-dimensional versions – that is, when a user accesses articles of even five years ago. Now, GENETICS or G3 from a mobile phone publishers integrate technology that or a reader, each journal’s layout has changed what it means to find, automatically adjusts to the device. use, read, evaluate, share, and discuss surrounding an article, the combined The mobile-optimized sites provide a journal article. Growing interactivity, number of Twitter followers, and other access to all current, archived, and more ways to parse and use article statistics. Early Online articles using mobile content, an increase in mobile-enabledD “We are increasingly seeing scholarly devices which support Apple’s iOS, websites, and flexible, robustFIN XML FINworkD discussed and shared online,” Google’s Android, and BlackBerry afford new opportunities all-around. says Catherine Chimes of Altmetric. operating systems. In fact, considering the way scientists “AltmetricsFIN provide authors and Interactive journal articles: search for, browse, and use scientific readers withD a new and innovative MODs information, blogs, databases, and way to gain insight into the immediate Publishing an article in GENETICS or other sources of knowledge, journals dissemination and impact of a paper, G3 involving Drosophila melanogaster, must evolve – and quickly. No longer long before citation data becomes S. cerevisae, or C. elegans? GENETICS do scientists read a journal cover-to- available.” was the first journal to partner with cover (or an article front-to-back). The figure below illustrates the WormBase, integrating journal articles Readers want depth, breadth, speed, Altmetric score of The Genomic directly with WormBase model and the ability to quickly find the and Transcriptomic Landscape organism database (MOD). With article components they seek. of a HeLa Cell Line (Landry continuing help from the WormBase We offer a brief update on how GSA is et al. 2013), published in G3: team at Caltech, GSA works to using emerging technology to enhance Genes|Genomes|Genetics. integrate FlyBase and Saccharomyces its journals for authors and readers Genome Database (SGD) into articles alike. we publish. Where appropriate, all Altmetric: Scientists talk. articles (including PDFs) in GENETICS They listen. and G3 feature links from genes, proteins, alleles, phenotypes, and other Citations to your own papers are but genetic objects directly to the related one way to know who’s reading and landing page in a model organism using your work. These days, scientists database. For readers and authors don’t have to wait until their paper is alike, the article becomes multi- cited to monitor their work’s attention. dimensional, and allows a one-click Earlier this year, GENETICS and G3 deeper dive — showing, for example, added the now-familiar Altmetric genetic and genomic position maps, “donut” to full-text versions of articles sequences, interactions, expression on the journal websites. The snapshot summaries, gene ontology annotations, reveals mentions on F1000, Mendeley, and a wealth of other information. CiteULike, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and more, and even offers a geographical breakdown of all activity

16 Genetics Society of America Winter • 2014 The GSA Reporter

A rose by any other name is…. Articles Customized for You: confusing. Enter ORCID. PubChase Recognize that lime-green With over 100,000 biomedical articles published circle with the “iD” next every month, PubChase [PubChase.com] to researcher names enables scientists to discover new research in a journal article or important to them, no matter where it is grant application? If you published. Registered users receive automated haven’t seen this iconic relevant personal recommendations based on symbol yet, you will soon. the articles in their library, which they create and FREE Akin to a Digital Object customize. Scientists using reference packages Identifier (DOI) for individual researchers, ORCID like Endnote, Papers, Mendeley, and Refworks to GSA [orcid.org] is a non-profit, community-driven can quickly import bibliographies and receive effort to create and maintain a registry of unique relevant article suggestions. PubChase is a new Members: GSA partner, offering unlimited PDF storage to researcher IDs that spans disciplines, research All GSA members area, and national boundaries. GENETICS and GSA members (see sidebar). G3 have added ORCID IDs to their manuscript “It is incomprehensible that in the days when receive free submission systems, and the IDs will soon appear Netflix knows which movies we are likely to enjoy unlimited article next to author names in articles published in both and Pandora predicts the music we will love,” PDF storage on journals. says Lenny Teytelman, co-founder of PubChase PubChase. ORCID is full-steam ahead, with more than and ZappyLab, “that scientists are still searching 350,000 researchers registered for an ID. To for relevant papers by keywords and RSS feeds. To sign up, in the Even though we are constantly scanning tables of encourage widespread adoption, ORCID’s “my account” page member partners and integrators include contents, we miss most of the papers we should publishers; academic and research institutions; be reading.” of and organizations like Altmetric, CrossRed, Their just-released article-level blogging PubChase.com Dryad, Copyright Clearance Center, and NIH. platform enables researchers to share the stories enter Research funders including NIH are working behind the papers. The idea is resonating greatly to incorporate ORCID so it will be easy to pull in the scientific community, since there’s always “GSAPUBCHASE” publication and other information from ORCID more to the story than can be included in the into the promo code. to simplify submitting grant proposals and published paper. For example, see “The job’s not submitting progress reports. over till the paperwork is done,” which details an Do we really need another standard? The Open exchange between Jasper Rine and Fred Winston Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) has discussing Rine & Herskowitz (1987) (among many) one major goal – to collect [https://www.pubchase.com/essay/the-jobs-not- professional output in one place, while solving over-till-the-paperwork-is-done-by-jasper-rine-6]. the author name ambiguity problem in scholarly GENETICS and G3 are exploring integrating communication. Many of us can relate to the access to the blogging platform at the article frustration of having a name that is common, often level. ZappyLab has also created a mobile suite misspelled, hyphenated—or have published called Bench Tools to help in experimental work. under different names. This frustration can turn The apps are freely available at zappylab.com. into real problems if your work is not adequately Do you have an idea for how GSA can use linked to you. ORCID IDs seek to eliminate the technology to enhance GENETICS and issue of author name ambiguity altogether, G3? Write to Tracey DePellegrin at tracey. providing instead a 16-digit, unique identifier [email protected]. that associates all of a person’s research objects—including datasets, articles, citations, experiments, patents, media stories, and even equipment—with the unique ORCID ID. You say which outputs are associated with you and those follow you around everywhere you can use your ORCID ID.

Genetics Society of America 17 The GSA Reporter Winter • 2014 2014 Schedule for the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus Briefing Series The Coalition for the Life Sciences (CLS) has released the including schedule for the 2014 briefing series of the Congressional several Nobel Biomedical Research Caucus. laureates, to The Caucus is celebrating its 25th year of informing and address on educating Members of Congress about potential and such topical actual advances in health care made by our investment in issues as women’s health, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, gene biomedical research. It is a bipartisan, bicameral caucus therapy, and effective drug design. Many of the stunning and takes no dues from members. Representatives Steven advances highlighted in their presentations have led to Stivers (R-OH), Charles Dent (R-PA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), improved understanding of the cause of and treatment for and Rush Holt (D-NJ) are the current co-chairs of the Caucus. human disease. During each session of Congress, the country’s leading The 2014 briefing series continues the tradition by featuring research scientists provide Members of Congress with talks on cutting-edge technologies, bold initiatives, and monthly briefings about cutting-edge research. The CLS has research that will transform human health. been proud to sponsor presentations by prominent scientists,

The general public is invited to attend these presentations that start at 12 noon. Please RSVP to [email protected].

April 2 “Understanding Circadian Rhythms: Understanding sleep disorders” Michael Rosbash, PhD, Brandeis University (GSA member) Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-340

May 7 “HIV/AIDS in 2014: Progress and priorities” Anthony Fauci, MD, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, NIH Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-340

June 18 “Paying Dividends: How federally funded biomedical research fuels the pharmaceutical industry” Marc Tessier-Lavigne, PhD, The Rockefeller University Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-340

July 16 “Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Advances and potential” Lawrence Goldstein, PhD, University of California, San Diego (GSA member) Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168 (Gold Room)

July 30 “CRISPR: The game changing therapeutic technology” Feng Zhang, PhD, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168 (Gold Room)

September 10 “Aging and the normal brain” Carol Barnes, PhD, University of Arizona Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168 (Gold Room)

GSA is a member of the Coalition for the Life Sciences.

18 Genetics Society of America Winter • 2014 The GSA Reporter

Thank You to the GSA Donors continued page 9

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Deadline for abstract submission, Abstract submission and registration opens – FEBRUARY Xenopus Conference registration, and housing – 24 Chlamydomonas Conference 24 21 Applications accepted for Abstract submission deadline – DeLill Nasser Awards Application deadline for GSA Yeast Genetics Meeting 25 Undergraduate Travel Awards Registration opens — Abstract submission opens – Zebrafish Conference Yeast Genetics Meeting MAY 26 28 2 Deadline for hotel reservations Abstract submission deadline – Zebrafish Conference Drosophila Research Conference Abstract submission and registration 28 opens – Mouse Molecular Genetics Conference Registration opens – Yeast Genetics Meeting 15 www.genetics-gsa.org Early meeting registration deadline – Zebrafish Conference