BPS Highlights Buzzworthy Science at its 63rd Annual Meeting
Annually, the Public Affairs Committee works with our abstract sorters to identify buzzworthy science being presented at our Annual Meeting. Interested in how python hearts may help us better understand human hearts? Or how duck bills may help us better understand human touch? Visit the BPS Newsroom to read about some of the exciting science happening at our meeting.
BPS, Rep. Bill Foster to host Jennifer Doudna for CRISPR-101 Briefing on March 13
Please join the Biophysical Society and Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) for a CRISPR-101 briefing designed for new Members of Congress and staff on March 13, 2019, from 10:30 - 11:30am in the Rayburn House Office Building – Gold Room (2168).
As an internationally renowned and award-winning professor of Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology at UC-Berkeley, Dr. Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues rocked the research world in 2012 by first describing CRISPR gene editing, widely acknowledged as the scientific breakthrough of the century. We are delighted she will present her research and extensive knowledge on the topic.
This briefing will provide a broad overview of the technology, discuss its ethical use and patenting issues, and is intended for a lay audience. To RSVP please fill out this form.
Noni Byrnes Named Director of NIH’s Center for Scientific Review
On February 14, National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins M.D., Ph.D., announced the selection of Noni H. Byrnes, Ph.D., as director of the NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR). Dr. Byrnes will oversee an annual budget of more than $130 million and more than 500 scientific, support and contract personnel. Dr. Byrnes has worked at CSR since 2000, when she started as a scientific review officer in the Enabling Bioanalytical Technologies study section. She also managed CSR’s Review Internship Program, which transitioned bench and behavioral scientists to science administration positions. Read the full release.
NSF Sees Long-awaited Funding Increase in FY 2019 Funding Package
On February 15, President Trump signed into a law a Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 funding package that avoided another partial government shutdown. Tucked into the nearly $1.2 trillion package was a spending increase for the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF’s budget will increase 4 percent to $8.1 billion compared to FY 2018 levels. Congress indicated its support for NSF’s 10 Big Ideas initiatives, urged NSF to continue to invest in advancing computing technologies, and required NSF to formally explore intellectual property protection initiatives with the research community in the spending package. The funding will carry through September 30, 2019, the end of the Fiscal Year.
President’s FY 2020 Budget Request Delayed
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has announced that the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget proposal will be delayed due to the partial government shutdown. OMB has indicated the request will not be submitted to Congress until the week of March 11, at the earliest.
An almost 100-year-old budget law requires the president to send Congress his budget request by the first Monday in February. However, the law is often ignored. The President’s budget request is the first formal step in the annual Congressional appropriations process and likely signals that the FY 2020 government funding process will be delayed across the board.
Last year, many advocates celebrated the on-time funding of several agencies including the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. While Congressional appropriators were unable to fund the remaining agencies on-time, there was hope that the on-time funding for the majority of the government – when broken down by spending – was a signal for a smoother budget process in years to come. But, lingering partisan tensions from the partial government shutdown and now formal budget delays will likely dull any lingering good will generated from last year.
*Advocacy Programming: Get Involved with BPS!*
BPS member Meyer Jackson, right, visited Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI-2) in Madison, Wisconsin. The Public Affairs Committee has been working with Mr. Pocan’s office to attempt to add a biomedical research plank to the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ FY 2020 Budget Proposal. If you are interested in getting involved with BPS’s advocacy efforts, please contact Sean Winkler at [email protected] or visit our Action Center.
*SAVE THE DATE* Rally for Medical Research – September 18-19, 2019
Each year, the Biophysical Society participates in the Rally for Medical Research, which brings over 200 scientific research and patient advocacy organizations together to call on our nation’s policymakers to prioritize medical research. Last year, BPS members from Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Mississippi participated in the day. BPS offers travel funds to members who participate. To express interest in the 2019 event, please contact Sean Winkler at [email protected].
Science Policy News from around the Web
Facebook Considers Burying Anti-vaccine Posts after Pressure from Congress (Washington Examiner)
Measles Outbreaks Lead States to Reconsider Vaccine Exemptions (The Hill)
Montana Legislator Introduces Bills to Give his State its own 'Science' (WIRED)
Senate Plots to avoid Fall Shutdown Brawl (The Hill)
The First Interview with [President] Trump's Science Adviser (Science Magazine)
US Science Agencies Fare Well under Tardy Budget (Chemistry World)