Monstrously Successful 'Frankenstein' Exhibit
Extended at NLM Through November
The National Library of Medicine's popular exhibition, "Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature," has been extended through Nov. 30, 1998. Originally slated to end in August, the exhibit explores not only the popularization of the Frankenstein myth but also broader questions about the public's fear of science and its powers. It examines scientific developments that likely influenced Mary Shelley when she wrote Frankenstein in 1818, and also reviews Hollywood's take on the Frankenstein story (including clips from several films).
A recently added feature is a video kiosk that features an interview with Sara Karloff, daughter
of actor Boris Karloff. Boris Karloff's performance in the 1931 film Frankenstein earned him
international acclaim. (Incidentally, Frankenstein was just listed among the American Film
Institute's Top 100 American films of all time.) Ms. Karloff talks candidly about her father as he
was, on and off screen, and shares her family's home movies.
"Frankenstein" is open during regular library hours (except federal holidays), 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays (Thursdays until 9 p.m.), and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, in the lobby and rotunda of Bldg. 38.
Wednesday Afternoon Lectures
The Wednesday Afternoon Lecture series -- held on its namesake day at 3 p.m. in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10 -- returns from summer vacation on Sept. 16 with a presentation by Dr. Harvey F. Lodish, professor of biology at MIT and member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (see story, MIT's Lodish Gives Director's Lecture).
On Sept. 23, Dr. Charles J. Sherr, HHMI investigator and chair, department of tumor cell biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, will lecture on "Integration of Oncogenic Signals by the ARF and p53 Tumor Suppressors." This is an NIH Director's Lecture.
There are no lectures Sept. 30 and Oct. 7.
For more information or for reasonable accommodation, call Hilda Madine, 594-5595.
Symposium Begins Hispanic Heritage Observance,
Sept. 15 in Masur
The National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Aging will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) with the annual NIH Scientific Symposium and Health Education Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon in Masur Auditorium at the Clinical Center. This year's theme is "Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors) -- Biomedical Research and Hispanic Health Issues."
NIH deputy director Dr. Ruth Kirschstein will make opening remarks. NCI director Dr. Richard Klausner and NIA director Dr. Richard J. Hodes will join other scientists and health care providers from the Hispanic community in a panel discussion about current health issues affecting the Hispanic population. At the same time, a health information fair outside of Masur Auditorium will feature exhibits, posters and handouts in English and Spanish from many of the institutes. Both events are free to the public and refreshments will be served.
NINDS Receives Donation
In a recent presentation, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke became a
beneficiary of the estate of Jane Pickerton, a NewYork-based advertising executive. Here,
Dominic Della Valle (c), the estate's executor, presents a check for $125,000 to NINDS deputy director Dr. Audrey Penn and director Dr. Gerald Fischbach. The funds are to be used for
research into the causes of and possible cure for multiple sclerosis. Pickerton, a Northwestern
University-trained journalist, resided near Longwood Gardens, Pa., and died June 4, 1997, of
complications related to MS.
Workshop on Risks, Benefits of UV Radiation, Tanning
A workshop on the effects that ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation have on the skin will be held at the Natcher conference center, beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and adjourning at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18. Cosponsors include four institutes, CDC and FDA.
The purpose is to review the state of the science regarding ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation, and to address the health effects of various methods of inducing a tan and using sunscreening agents. The meeting has public health implications, and recommendations resulting from it will guide future research. Attendees will include basic and clinical researchers, members of the medical community, and representatives from government, industry and the public. Visit http://www.nih.gov/niams/grants/uvmeeting/ for the agenda and to register.
Conference on Contraceptives, Oct. 7-8
A conference titled "New Models for Preclinical Evaluation of Vaginal Contraceptives," will be held Oct. 7-8 in Lister Hill Auditorium, Bldg. 38A. It will explore refinements and alternatives to currently used in vitro and in vivo models for preclinical assessment of safety and efficacy of vaginal contraceptives. The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. For more information contact Peter Edwards of IQ Solutions at (301) 984-1471. Agenda and registration information are also available at http://www.nih.gov/nichd/html/conferences.html.
83 Participate in Hispanic Youth Initiative
This year's National Hispanic Youth Initiative in Health, Biomedical Research and Policy
Development brought 83 high-achieving Latino high school students from across the nation and
Puerto Rico to NIH in 2 weekly sessions held recently. John Medina, OEO Diversity Program
manager, and Levon Parker, NINDS minority and special concerns program officer, as well as a
cadre of Hispanic scientists and interns, introduced students to a range of careers in health
research.
Right, seasoned Latino student-researchers recounted how their experiences at NIH
labs helped them choose careers in biomedicine. The opportunity to do an internship at NIH
turned around the life of Daniel Perez (r), who dropped out of high school several times while
fathering 4 children, and now is on a path to a career in science.
Fire Prevention Slogans Sought
Fire up your imaginations and think up a nifty slogan for NIH's observance of National Fire Prevention Week. If you win the contest, open to everyone (except members of the sponsoring Emergency Management Branch), your idea appears on next year's commemorative posters at NIH, along with your name. You can enter as often as you like, and entries should be snappy one-liners about fire prevention. Be sure to print (legibly) or type your slogan on a sheet of white paper. If you submit multiple candidates, rank them in order of preference. Entries are due by Sept. 30. Send or fax entries to the fire prevention section, Bldg. 15G, Rm. 2. Fax number is 402-2059. For more information call 496-0487.
NIH Record Search Tool Available
Visitors to the NIH Record home page (archives.htm) may have noticed a new search tool that recently became active. A subset of the main NIH Web site's search function, this new tool looks exclusively through all online files of the NIH Record. There are limits though -- only issues from September 1996 (and soon, August 1996) forward are searchable in this manner.
To query the NIH Record files for issues earlier than fall 1996, drop by our office in Bldg. 31, Rm. 2B03. All issues, dating back to May 1949, when the Record debuted, are available for reference, as is a card file organized by name and subject. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
WFLC/EAP Hold Seminar Series
In an effort to create employee awareness and help solve life's problems, the NIH Work and Family Life Center and the Employee Assistance Program are presenting a series of seminars called the "Faces and Phases of Life."
The series addresses topics that will help employees optimize their personal and professional performance. Following some of the seminars, there will be a discussion group for those interested in exploring the topic further. The sessions will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on the following dates:
| Date | Location | Session |
| Sept. 10 | 1/Wilson Hall | Living to Work or Working to Live? |
| Oct. 1 | 31/6C6 | Dilemmas of Being Single in a Modern World |
| Oct. 15 | 31/6C8 | Discussion Group: Single Life |
| Nov. 5 | 31/6C10 | Dealing with Workplace Change |
| Dec. 2 | 31/6C10 | Committed Couples: Deepening Connections in a Disconnected World |
| Jan. 6, 1999 | 31/6C7 | Discussion Group: Committed Couples |
| Jan. 13 | 31/6C6 | Stress Management in the New Workplace |
| Feb. 11 | 31/6C10 | Starting Over: Divorce Recovery Issues |
| Feb. 25 | 31/6C7 | Discussion Group: Divorce Recovery |
| Mar. 10 | 31/6C6 | Shifting Perspectives: Hidden Powers of Midlife |
| Mar. 25 | 31/6C7 | Discussion Group: Midlife |
| Apr. 14 | 31/6C6 | Midlife Career Choices |
| May 13 | 1/Wilson Hall | Retirement: Life After NIH |
| June 10 | 1/Wilson Hall | In the Middle: Caring for Children, Aging Parents and Yourself |
| June 17 | 31/4C32 | Discussion Group: Elder Care |
Environmental Careers Symposium Attracts 235
At the sixth annual environmental careers symposium sponsored by NIEHS, participants take
a break to play the Project Wild Game "Oh Deer" that shows how environmental conditions --
sometimes created or exacerbated by human actions -- can leave deer hungry, thirsty and
shelterless. This year's symposium attracted 235 students from 18 North Carolina high
schools.
Crying Time at NIEHS
With the grace of a fencer, Sy Holder, NIEHS property management unit head, puts his whole
body into his auctioneering. He "cried" a recent surplus property public auction at the
institute's warehouse in Research Triangle Park, N.C. The second auction in 7 months nearly
cleared out the warehouse's supply of outmoded equipment including computers, copiers,
casework, typewriters and other items, bringing in $3,134.50. All but 14 of the 125 lots
offered were sold, at prices ranging from $5 to $180.
Varmus Delivers Falk Lecture
NIH director Dr. Harold Varmus recently delivered the 14th Hans L. Falk Memorial Lecture
at NIEHS before an overflow crowd. He presented work going on in his NCI lab in his talk,
"Making a Mouse Model for Glioma." The Falk Lecture recognizes the spirit of freedom of
scientific inquiry and the pursuit of excellence in science embodied by NIEHS's first scientific
director, Hans Falk.
CIT Employee Graduates
Scott Collins, a computer specialist at the Center for Information Technology, recently
graduated from the University of Maryland University College. He was awarded a bachelor of
science in computer studies. He maintained a 3.61 GPA and is currently enrolled in the NIH
computer support coordinators Microsoft certified systems engineer training program. Collins
is the NIH Parachute remote access Webmaster and teaches several information technology
classes in the CIT Training Program.