News

SUBR Special Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research - ISEF Fair 2011

(May 12, 2011, Raleigh, NC) States United for Biomedical Research (SUBR) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2011 Special Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research for the top biomedical projects that best demonstrate the goal of advancing human and/or veterinary medicine. Society for Science & the Public, in partnership with the Intel Foundation, announced awards at the Intel ISEF 2011 Special Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 12, 2011, in Los Angeles, CA. SUBR Vice President Paula Johnson (Southwest Association for Education in Biomedical Research) and SUBR associate Vernard Henley (University of Arkansas at Little Rock) judged student entries and presented the awards to the winning students. Student winners are ninth through twelfth graders who earned the right to compete by winning top prize at a local, regional, state or national science fair. Intel ISEF 2012 will be held May 13-18, 2012, in Pittsburgh, PA.

First Place Award - $2,000 Jasmine S.R.

Paul R. Wharton High School

Tampa, FL

Monocytic Gene Cell Therapy: Potential Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease In addition, Ms. Carmen Austin, Jasmine’s teacher, will receive a $1,000 grant.

Second Place Awards - $1,000 each Casey A. The Davidson Academy of Nevada Reno, NV

The Effects of Cage Naturality on the Scientific Viability of Mouse Models in Relation to Stress and Cognition

Christopher D.-L.

Winter Springs High School

Winter Springs, FL

The Effects of Zinc Gluconate and Two Other Divalent Cationic Compounds on Olfactory Function

Third Place Award - $500

Daniel K.

Lynbrook Senior High School

Lynbrook, NY

A Novel Approach to the Analysis of Circadian Biology Using Scale Invariance of Multiple Coupled Oscillations

About SUBR: States United for Biomedical Research (SUBR) is a national nonprofit consortium of state-based associations and local affiliates that have joined forces to increase public appreciation for the value of biomedical research, including the vital role that animals play. www.statesforbiomed.org

Contact: Faith Wolfe, Executive Director, SUBR, 919.785.1304x204, subr@statesforbiomed.org

OSERA Announces Launch of New Website

COLUMBUS, OH (June 6, 2011) — The Ohio Scientific Education & Research Association (OSERA), a nonprofit biomedical research advocacy organization, is proud to announce the launch of its new Website, osera.org.

The new site embodies OSERA’s commitment to the growing needs of its members, the biomedical research community, educators, students and the public. Features include:

Extensive information to educate and inform visitors about the importance of biomedical research, including the humane care and use of animals
Details about science education programs nationwide, including speakers’ bureaus, science fairs, conferences and workshops for research facilities, students, educators and the general public
A compilation of educational materials and public outreach resources — many of which are free — from related organizations throughout the country

“Osera.org will become a great resource for local members of the biomedical research community as well as teachers and students across Ohio and the United States,” said Julie Waldo, OSERA Interim Director. “The new site is easy to use and reflects a wide range of activities, programs and resources.”

The Ohio Scientific Education & Research Association (OSERA) strives to foster a better understanding in Ohio about the benefits humans and animals have gained as a result of information generated from various types of research; and to foster a better understanding of how responsible animal research and instructional programs will remain essential until scientifically-valid alternatives are developed.

The Ohio Scientific Education & Research Association is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1991. It is an educational consortium of universities, hospitals, voluntary health organizations and corporations.

OSERA Contact: Julie Waldo, Interim Director, OSERAdirector@aol.com, (614)633-8165

Animals & Research: Think how far we've come

Click here to view video.

Animal research is an important part of the research process when developing new treatments and medicines for patients. While there are some who may question the necessity, science has not evolved enough to replace animal research -- for now, this is how we make sure medicines are safe.

SfN Fellowships, Awards, and Prizes deadline extended

Science Education and Outreach
These awards recognize the contributions of educators and advocates and their efforts to promote the field of neuroscience to students and the general public.

Eligibility
If one or more of the following statements apply, you may be eligible for an award in this category:

You are actively involved in teaching, training, and/or outreach activities to promote the understanding of neuroscience.
You are members of an SfN chapter who carry out various activities to educate the public about neuroscience.

List of Awards:

Award for Education in Neuroscience
Deadline (extended): July 1
$5,000 awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to neuroscience education and training.
Next Generation Award
Deadline (extended): July 1
More than $2,000 awarded to two chapter members or teams of members (one at pre/postdoctoral level and one at junior faculty level) for significant efforts in public communication, outreach, and education about neuroscience.
Science Educator Award
Deadline (extended): July 1
$5,000 awarded to an outstanding neuroscientist who has made significant contributions to educating the public about neuroscience.

NIH challenges public to help bring discovery into the classroom

Competition inspired by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act and President Obama’s Educate to Innovate Campaign

A new competition seeks to bring hands-on science into classrooms nationwide. The National Institutes of Health’s K-12 Lessons About Bioscience (LAB) Challenge asks teachers, students, parents, scientists, and science enthusiasts to submit their favorite experiments for elementary, middle, and high school students. The best experiments will become part of an official collection that NIH will distribute for free in print and electronically. Your experiment could become part of this collection and help students everywhere experience the discovery of science!

"I’ve seen teachers across the country doing engaging and inspired experiments to get across ideas about science," says Bruce Fuchs, Ph.D., director of the NIH Office of Science Education. "Unfortunately, I also know that some science teachers read textbooks aloud to their students for entire class periods. If those teachers had easy access to inexpensive, simple experiments, I bet our kids could be learning more, enjoying science more, and even choosing careers in science."

Experiments form the basis of scientific inquiry but aren’t used often enough in the K-12 science classroom because of expense, complexity, or time issues. The NIH K-12 LAB Challenge seeks to address these problems by identifying experiments that are engaging and inexpensive to do.

The NIH goal is to identify hands-on experiments that:

are geared toward grades K-12
use safe, easily available, inexpensive materials
take 90 minutes or less of in-class time
have at least one clear learning objective tied to science standards
are related to health and life science, the NIH mission

The challenge is open to any resident of the United States or a U.S. territory. The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011. Winners will be announced on March 1, 2012. Details are at http://LAB.challenge.gov.

Help NIH bring engaging and inexpensive experiments into the classroom so everyone can enjoy doing science. Submit your favorite experiments today.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

HUNDREDS AT UCLA RALLY PRO-TEST FOR RESEARCH

As many as 400 people rallied in support of scientists who use animals in research Thursday on the UCLA campus.

The rally was organized by Pro-Test for Science, a grassroots organization of faculty, staff, students and other individuals concerned by violent attacks against scientists by animal rights militants.

The Pro-Test Petition, a statement of principles in support of science, was presented to two NIH representatives who addressed the crowd. Over 11,600 people signed the Petition, a joint project of Americans for Medical Progress, Pro-Test for Science and Speaking of Research (see www.raisingvoices.net).

At the same time, a virtual rally was observed:
Over 100 others left messages of solidarity for Pro-Test (It's not too late for you to do so - go to http://speakingofresearch.com/2010/04/07/im-pro-test-ill-prove-it/).
The Society of Neuroscience sent a letter of support to the organizers (It may be read online at http://speakingofresearch.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/sfn-letter-to-ptfs-april-2010.pdf).
Several individuals went onto Twitter to broadcast their encouragement and reasons for being in support of research (See the #ptfs hashtag).
Several ScienceBloggers contributed their thoughts, including
Terra Sig Illata (http://scienceblogs.com/terrasig/2010/04/i_am_pro-test_responsible_anim.php),
Adventures in Ethics and Science (http://scienceblogs.com/ethicsandscience/2010/04/standing_up_for_what_we_believ.php),
DrugMonkey ( http://scienceblogs.com/drugmonkey/2010/04/second_annual_rally_in_support.php)
Neurotopia http://scienceblogs.com/neurotopia/2010/04/rally_in_support_of_biomedical.php) and
The Scientific Activist (http://scienceblogs.com/scientificactivist/2010/04/second_ucla_pro-test_rally_sen.php)

A few excerpts from those covering the Pro-Test rally help to describe the day. Click on the links to see each full article:

Speaking of Research - Tom Holder
http://speakingofresearch.com/2010/04/08/several-hundred-pro-test-for-science/
(Post includes numerous pictures of the Pro-Test rally)

On a beautiful sunny day in Los Angeles, Pro-Test for Science organizers arrived at the junction of Le Conte and Westwood, on the edge of the UCLA campus, with armfuls of placards in support of animal research. Within ten minutes every placard had found a new owner as hundreds of scientists, students and members of the public showed up to support the cause. Those gathering chatted together, sharing their reasons for attending the rally.

Those participating were not limited to the UCLA community. Faculty from University of Southern California, California Institute of Technology, and California State University – Los Angeles, all came out to demonstrate their support for lifesaving medical research using animals. Soon the chants began to ring out – “Penicillin? ANIMAL RESEARCH! Insulin? ANIMAL RESEARCH! Vaccines? ANIMAL RESEARCH! Anaesthetics? ANIMAL RESEARCH!” A short while later, when the crowd had swelled further, the rally set off towards the center of the UCLA campus.

UCLA Newsroom - Alison Hewitt
http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/pro-test-rally-on-thursday-supports-156384.aspx

The rally, organized by the group Pro-Test for Science, was a follow-up to a similar rally at UCLA last year. Speakers at today’s rally included organizer and neuroscientist David Jentsch, who formed Pro-Test after his car was firebombed by animal rights activists last year; Kevin Quinn, a branch chief at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health; Michael Steinmetz, a program officer at the U.S. National Eye Institute; and UCLA Executive Vice Chancellor Scott Waugh...

...Animal research is vital to uncovering treatments for brain disorders, from autism to schizophrenia, said Kevin Quinn, a branch chief from the National Institute of Mental Health.

"Animal research conducted in a humane, ethical and responsible manner is absolutely critical … to understand, treat and cure mental disorders," he said.

Families spend decades dealing with illnesses diagnosed in children — illnesses the NIMH believes can eventually be treated, Quinn added

"These disorders are brain disorders, probably the most complex structure in existence. We need animal research to tease apart the complex functioning of the brain so we can understand and treat these disorders," he said.

Animal research does not produce medical breakthroughs every day, said Michael Steinmetz, a program director with the National Eye Institute. The foundations of those breakthroughs are discovered one building block at a time by basic research that must be supported, he said.

"The National Eye Institute supports strongly the use of appropriate animal models in research, not just for the big clinical advances but for the many, many years of basic science that it takes to discover the underlying biological principles," Steinmetz said. "Along with the privilege of using animals comes a responsibility to see that the animals are used in a humane fashion … We should all take a very firm stand on that."

Nature Blog: The Great Beyond - Erika Check Hayden
http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2010/04/second_protest_rally_draws_hun.html

[Pro-Test for Science founder David]Jentsch said that one animal rights activist protested the rally.

Jentsch said that in some ways, conditions for researchers have improved since the 2009 rally. For instance, no criminal attacks have taken place against UCLA researchers in the past year, and two activists with the Animal Liberation Front have been indicted for harassing UCLA researchers. In March, one pleaded guilty to the charges; the other pleaded no contest and will be sentenced next month.

Jentsch says that Pro-Test has worked to confront anti-research protesters on campus, and has built opposition to violence by organizing dialogues with peaceful groups that oppose animal research.

As a result, Jentsch said, animal rights groups have stepped down their attacks on UCLA researchers.

“These groups never expected that anybody on the scientific side would challenge them openly when they came to campus and marched around, so when they come to campus and we’re there, it’s quite remarkable – it has a chilling effect on their behavior,” Jentsch said.

Two Honored for Research Advocacy

(December 1, 2010 – Raleigh, NC) Two leaders in public outreach have been recognized by States United for Biomedical Research (SUBR) for their outstanding efforts to promote public understanding and appreciation of biomedical research, including the humane care and use of research animals.

Alice W. Ra’anan, Director of Government Relations and Science Policy for the American Physiological Society, is the recipient of the 2010 SUBR Distinguished Service Award.

Kevin I. Phelps, Jr., a Senior Laboratory Animal Technician at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., is the recipient of the 2010 SUBR Award for Excellence in Public Outreach.

“We are very pleased to recognize those who are pillars in the community who are reaching out alongside SUBR -- through grassroots outreach efforts -- to students, parents and teachers as well as the general public,” said Faith Wolfe, SUBR Executive Director. “These efforts couldn’t come at a more important time. We are so excited that kids throughout the country are learning about the amazing possibilities that biomedical research offers."

The 2010 SUBR Distinguished Service Award honors Ms. Ra’anan for her many years of support and service to public outreach efforts on behalf of the biomedical research community.

“I am grateful to receive this Distinguished Service Award,” Ra’anan said. “I have enormous respect for the research advocacy efforts of the members of States United for Biomedical Research. It is essential that organizations dedicated to advancing science work together to strengthen the public’s trust that research involving animals is conducted humanely and contributes to human and animal health. The American Physiological Society is proud to partner with SUBR to help inform the public about the efforts made to ensure that such research is appropriate, beneficial, and humane.”

Ms. Ra’anan has worked closely with SUBR and its constituent members on many projects. Ms. Ra’anan has been providing legislative analysis and policy recommendations on issues that affect physiological researchers since 1992, with a special focus on the humane use of animals in research and education.

The 2010 SUBR Award for Excellence in Public Outreach honors Mr. Phelps for his outstanding outreach efforts during the past two years.

A long-time member of the Upstate New York Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (UNYB-AALAS), Mr. Phelps is currently serving as the UNYB-AALAS president-elect and will become president in January 2011.

Mr. Phelps is responsible for greatly expanding the UNYB-AALAS public outreach program. His efforts have included direct outreach to Central New York schools, several UNYB-AALAS newsletter articles encouraging other members of the biomedical research community to become involved in public outreach, and development of the “Are you alive?” t-shirt in addition to being a guest speaker at the Technician Lunch and Learn at the 2008 AALAS National Meeting in Indianapolis. His latest effort was the development of a radio commercial project funded by the AALAS Foundation in which real people and real animals with real problems say thank you to lab animal research. Each commercial spot was 15 seconds long and the commercials ran for a month.

“I would like to thank SUBR for presenting me with the its 2010 Award for Excellence in Public Outreach,” Mr. Phelps said. ”When I began conducting public outreach in the state of New York, I had very few resources and no system in place. The individuals I have met and colleagues I have gained through SUBR have guided me and assisted me in establishing the public outreach program I have today. SUBR is comprised of the nation’s leading experts in public outreach for laboratory animal science. To receive their recognition for my efforts is truly an honor.”

States United for Biomedical Research is a national network of nonprofit associations who have joined forces to promote health through science and education. Biomedical research provides hope for those who are suffering from illnesses for which there are still no cures. Network members represent hospitals, healthcare systems, universities, voluntary health organizations, professional associations, and other members of the research community. Our network celebrates the people, the process, and the promise of biomedical research.