STEP Announces New Season of Talks, Training
The Staff Training in Extramural Programs (STEP) committee has planned a new series of forums, Science for All lectures, and modules. These offer opportunities for professional growth and career development, as well as a chance to learn more about critical issues facing NIH.
STEP forums focus on issues of interest to a broad spectrum of NIH staff members. They last 2-3 hours, are free and open to all, and don't require advance registration. Five are planned this year including "Thriving in a World of Change: A 2-Hour Survival Guide," (Oct. 29, Wilson Hall) which will present strategies for growing and prospering in changing job environments, and will be particularly pertinent to those whose job responsibilities, but not job titles, are changing. "Peer Review in Cyberspace: Countdown to Launch?" (Dec. 5, Wilson Hall) is expected to be a lively discussion of electronic peer review and a review of current electronic peer review experiments. "Recent Court Decisions: Minority Programs Under Fire?" will discuss recent judicial and legislative actions in affirmative action and their implications (Feb. 20, 1997, Natcher). "Electronic Communication: Who's Reading Your Email?" (Mar. 12, Wilson Hall) will review who else has access to what you send, receive, save, and delete, and will discuss your rights and responsibilities.
STEP's Science for All series presents for both nonscientists and scientists recent advances in biomedical research as they relate to contemporary health problems. Like the forums, the 2-3 hour presentations in this series are open to all extramural staff, are free, and do not require advance registration.
"Radialkeratotomy: Are You Ready to Leave Your Eyeglasses Behind?," (Dec. 10, Wilson Hall) the first of the presentations, discusses the benefits and potential problems of using this surgery to correct vision problems. "Chronobiology: Timing Is Everything!" (Jan. 8, Natcher) will review how circadian rhythms affect us all in our daily lives -- from when we should take medication to making us feel jet lag. Finally, "Learning Disabilities" (June 5, Natcher) will follow a general discussion of learning disabilities with an in-depth discussion of two or three of the most common ones.
STEP modules convene for at least 1 day and are free, like the forums and presentations in the Science for All series. However, advance registration is required and attendance may be limited. Application details and an application form can be found in the back of the STEP catalog, which will be available this month.
STEP chair Dr. Bravo
Four modules are planned this year: "Why We Do the Things We Do: Behavior and Biology," (Nov. 21, 8 a.m., Wilson Hall) leads off with an exploration of behavioral research in relation to health and disease and the relationship between behavior and biology. "Secrecy in Science: Who Owns the Data?" (Mar. 20, 8 a.m., Wilson Hall) will examine why scientists and/or their institutions withhold key scientific resources and information. Participants will discuss responsibilities of NIH staff in addressing this issue and explore how legitimate interests can be protected while still permitting access to scientific data and resources. "$O$: Solvency of Science," (Apr. 9, 8 a.m., Wilson Hall) will review the past and current status of financial support for research institutions, examine how institutions are coping in this era of constrained resources and increasing costs, and discuss how changes in federal regulations may affect biomedical research. In "The Last Phase of Life: Knowing How and When to Let Go," (May 8, 8 a.m., Natcher) participants will discuss the medical, cultural, legal, and emotional aspects of dying, and the resources upon which to draw when faced with this difficult situation.
STEP is a volunteer organization of 24-30 experienced NIH extramural staffers who, each year, develop a variety of training activities for NIH'ers. Dr. Norka Ruiz Bravo, program director, Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology, NIGMS, chairs the STEP committee. Mary Armstead, procurement analyst, Office of Contracts and Grants Management, OD, is vice-chair. The Office of Extramural Programs sponsors the program. For a copy of the STEP catalog , contact your personnel office or the STEP office, 5-2769.
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