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Subcategory: Careers
Science Journalism Awards Announced
Nov 20 2009 - National Science Foundation
A television feature about growing diamonds in the lab, and a radio story that dramatizes some strange coincidences in a discussion of randomness and probability won recognition earlier this month in the 2009 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards.
Psychologist Wins Million-Dollar Prize for Work on the Adolescent Brain
Nov 16 2009 - ScienceInsider
Temple University psychologist Laurence Steinberg has been awarded the first Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize. The new award, worth $1 million, comes from the Zurich-based Jacobs Foundation, founded by chocolate magnate Klaus Jacobs. It's designed to further "groundbreaking contributions to the improvement of the living conditions of young people."
Claude Lévi-Strauss, French Anthropologist, Dies at 100
Nov 4 2009 - The Washington Post (requires free registration)
Claude Lévi-Strauss, 100, one of the preeminent social anthropologists of the 20th century, died over the weekend in Paris. He was best-known for popularizing a social science theory known as "structuralism."
'Secret Life of Scientists': What Do They Do When Not in the Lab?
Oct 26 2009 - USA Today
A juggling climate scientist, a back-flipping engineer, "leech man," and a physics student who plays in the cult band Harry and the Potters star in a new web-only series that delves into the quirky secret lives of scientists and engineers.
Gates Foundation Grants Support Unusual Research
Oct 22 2009 - The Boston Globe
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced new grants of $100,000 each for 76 unconventional approaches to world problems. The five-year health research grants are designed to encourage scientists to pursue bold ideas that focus on ways to prevent and treat infectious diseases.
Obama Honors Science Medalists, Present and Future
Oct 8 2009 - ScienceInsider
In a formal ceremony in the East Room of the White House, the president honored this year's winners of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology. A few hours later he stepped outside into the clean, crisp evening and, dressed more casually, invited some 200 middle school students to join him to look through a sea of telescopes assembled on the White House lawn.
3 Scientists Share Nobel Chemistry Prize for DNA Work
Oct 7 2009 - Voice of America News
Two Americans and one Israeli share this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work showing how the DNA code is translated into life itself.
Communication Pioneers Win 2009 Physics Nobel
Oct 6 2009 - Reuters
A pioneer in fiber optics and two scientists who figured out how to turn light into electronic signals—work that paved the way for the internet age—were awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for physics on Tuesday.
DNA Sequencing in a Holey New Way
Oct 6 2009 - BBC News
IBM researchers announce an effort to trap DNA molecules in tiny holes in an effort to decode their genetic instructions.
Nobel Prize for Chromosome Find
Oct 5 2009 - BBC News
This year's Nobel prize for medicine goes to three US-based researchers who discovered how the body protects the chromosomes housing vital genetic code.
Renowned Conservationist Promotes Hope for a Better Planet
Sep 30 2009 - Voice of America News
Nearly 50 years after she began her work, Jane Goodall remains an energetic champion for the welfare of the world's wild animals. Appointed in 2002 by the United Nations as one of its messengers of peace, she travels the globe nearly 300 days a year, spreading her message of hope and positive change.
NIH's New Chief Pledges to Lead Research Agency 'as a Scientist'
Aug 18 2009 - USA Today
Newly sworn-in National Institutes of Health chief Francis Collins, who founded an institute in
May aimed at nurturing the coexistence of science and religion, announced Monday he had resigned
from his foundation to focus on his research chief duties.
Two Scientists Win Medal of Freedom
Aug 13 2009 - ScienceInsider
President Barack Obama awarded the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom to 16 people on Wednesday, including two scientists—Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University and geneticist Janet Davison Rowley of the University of Chicago.
Spain, Portugal Open Nanotechnology Research Center
Jul 21 2009 - Reuters
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero hailed the opening of a joint scientific research center with Portugal as the dawning of a new age of discovery for the two countries. The Iberian nanotechnology research center is expected to attract the world's top minds in the field of submolecular research.
Cancer Researcher at U. of Chicago Wins $500,000 Genetics Prize
Jul 1 2009 - Chronicle of Higher Education
Janet Davison Rowley has won this year's Gruber Prize in genetics for research that has "revolutionized how cancer is understood and treated," the Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation, which presents the prize, announced today.
Physical Science Czar Named
Apr 20 2009 - ScienceInsider
President Barack Obama just named former American Physical Society president and Princeton physicist William Brinkman to head the Office of Science at the the Department of Energy. He'll join power scientists Steven Chu and Steven Koonin behind the wheel at DOE, assuming Brinkman is confirmed by the Senate.
Famed Nature Editor Maddox Dies
Apr 14 2009 - BBC News
Sir John Maddox, whose two terms as editor of the premier science journal Nature brought the magazine to international fame, has died aged 83.
In "Geek Chic" and Obama, New Hope for Lifting Women in Science
Jan 23 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration)
With the inauguration of an administration committed to Science as the grand elixir for the nation’s economic, environmental, and psycho-reputational woes, a number of scientists say that now is the time to tackle a chronic conundrum of their beloved enterprise: how to attract more women into the fold, and keep them once they are there.
Heart Fears over Common Chemical
Sep 16 2008 - BBC News
Higher levels of a chemical often found in plastic food and drink packaging are associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, a study has suggested.
Chimps Need Hugs and Kisses--Just Like Us
Jun 17 2008 - MSNBC
For most folks, a nice hug and some sympathy can help a bit after we get pushed around. Turns out, chimpanzees use hugs and kisses the same way. And it works. Researchers studying people's closest genetic relatives found that stress was reduced in chimps that were victims of aggression if a third chimp stepped in to offer consolation.
For the First Time, Women Rule in Space
Oct 26 2007 - Space Travel News
Women are at the helm of the International Space Station (ISS) and the space shuttle Discovery for the first time in the history of space exploration. Pamela Melroy, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, was in the commander’s seat when Discovery launched on October 23. Peggy Whitson is a scientist and the first woman in charge of the ISS. The historic first, however, does not accurately reflect the reality of the U.S. space program. According to NASA, only 20% of women comprise the space agency’s astronaut corps.
German Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Oct 10 2007 - ABC News
Gerhard Ertl of Germany received an unusual present to celebrate his 71st birthday today. The scientist was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in chemistry for studies in chemical reactions on solid surfaces. “I am speechless,” observed Ertl. “I was not counting on this.” The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences noted Ertl’s research “laid the foundation for modern surface chemistry, which has helped explain how fuel cells work, how catalytic converters clean car exhaust, and why iron rusts."
French, German Physicists Win Nobel Prize
Oct 9 2007 - CBS News
Two scientists will share the 2007 Nobel Prize in physics. Albert Fert and Peter Gruenberg were recognized today for their discovery of giant magnetoresistance, a process used by people on their computers and digital music players. The technique has enabled the computer industry to develop sensitive reading tools for information stored on computer hard drives from laptops to personal music and video players.
Her Job is Out of this World
Oct 2 2007 - Christian Science Monitor
At a young age, Sunita Williams thought she might like to travel into space. But it was a long time before she considered becoming an astronaut. The concept seemed a little too “out of this world.” But after serving in the U.S. Navy flying helicopters and hearing about similar experiences from astronaut John Young, becoming an astronaut seemed within Williams’ reach. In 1998, Williams was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate. She fulfilled her dream on December 9, 2006, when she left Earth aboard the space shuttle Discovery.
Females Account for One Third of Chinese Scientists
Aug 20 2007 - Xinhuanet.com
Females comprise more than one third of scientists in China, according to research presented a recent international seminar in Beijing. However, the proportion of women technicians and engineers is significantly low in the country’s engineering field. Scholars from China, Egypt, India, and Mexico attended the seminar, which focused on five topics. Topics discussed included the relationship between women and science, how to attract more women into the field of science, and major factors behind the success of female scientists.
Medals for Masterminds
Jul 27 2007 - MSNBC.com
On July 27, a ceremony will be held at the White House to honor two year’s worth of top scientists and technologists. President Bush will present the awards to the honorees for the National Medals of Science and Technology. The 27 recipients include the co-inventors of modern microphones and atomic clocks, a Nobel laureate, one scientist who has put in her share of government service, and another who is just starting a government job.
White House Names Eight Science Medalists
May 31 2007 - MSNBC.com
A Nobel laureate, a pioneering cosmologist, a climate change researcher, and the federal government’s top expert on infectious diseases are among the recipients of the National Medal of Science named May 30 by President Bush. The medal ranks among the highest honors given out by the White House for scientific research. The program was established by Congress in 1959 and is administered by the National Science Foundation.
Meet the Women of Mercury 13
May 14 2007 - CBS News
They were aviation pioneers who were virtually unknown for nearly half a century. But a sea of graduating seniors recognized them for having had the right stuff at the wrong time. The University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh awarded honorary doctorates May 12 to eight of the remaining Mercury 13, thirteen of America’s finest female pilots who trained secretly to become astronauts at the dawn of the space race. “We were ready to lay our lives on the line to be an astronaut,” observed 75-year-old Jerrie Cobb.
Picture Imperfect
Feb 19 2007 - Nature News
News@nature.com interviews mathematician Hany Farid about tracking falsified photos for scientific journals and the FBI. For more information on Math and Science Connections, NSTA members can refer to the February 2007 issue of The Science Teacher.
UCSD Picks Australian to Head Scripps Oceanic Work
Aug 29 2006 - San Diego Union-Tribune
A chemist and administrator for Australia’s national science company will become the new director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. A key challenge for Tony Haymet will be to broaden the funding base at Scripps to help the organization avoid the kind of fiscal crisis that plagued the institute four years ago, when shortfalls threatened high-profile assets. Beyond finances, Haymet said he is a strong supporter of scientists’ ability to speak openly. Haymet will begin his new position in September.
Einstein's Man in Beijing: A Rebel With a Cause
Aug 22 2006 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
For seven decades, Xu Liangying has been Albert Einstein’s man in China, intertwining revolution and physics to speak for political freedom and the value of scientific curiosity in a land where the rulers have often had a different agenda. Liangying’s Einstein translations, retrieved and published, have helped inspire a rebirth of interest in Einstein and in science in China.
MIT Vows to Press its Scientists to Collaborate
Jul 19 2006 - Boston Globe (Requires free registration)
The president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) plans to form a committee to find ways to improve collaboration between neuroscience professors. The move comes after recent allegations that a Nobel laureate bullied a scientist the school was trying to recruit. The MIT situation is occurring at a time when many universities are struggling to adapt to the realities of modern science. Emerging areas such as neuroscience are forcing scientists, used to fierce competition, to collaborate across departments and fields, and with rival institutions, all of which can divide academia.
The Ivory Tower Gets More Flexible
Jul 1 2006 - Christian Science Monitor
Universities nationwide are changing their policies to avoid losing female faculty members with doctoral degrees to industry. The renewed focus to academia’s structural and cultural barriers to women, particularly in the sciences, has been partially prompted by last year’s incident involving Harvard University’s president Lawrence Summers. Summers sparked a controversy when he made remarks suggesting that innate differences between the sexes might help explain the small number of high-level women in the sciences.
Eager to Tell the Stories of Science, a Biologist Evolves
Apr 11 2006 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
Biologist Randy Olson accepts that there is no credible scientific challenge to the theory of evolution as an explanation for the diversity and complexity of life on earth. He agrees that intelligent design’s embrace of a supernatural “agent” puts it outside the realm of science. But when Olson observes intelligent design advocates at work, he sees pleasant people who speak plainly, convincingly, and with humor. When scientists he knows discuss evolution, they can be dour, pompous and disagreeable, even with one another. Olson’s new film challenges scientists to take a deeper look and make their case to ordinary people.
Bush Awards Medals for Science, Technology
Feb 13 2006 - MSNBC.com
Fifteen laureates who have done work that has revolutionized organ transplants, led to the development of global positioning systems, and helped feed millions around the world have won presidential science or technology medals. Established by Congress in 1959, the medal of science award is administered by the National Science Foundation. The medal of technology, established by Congress in 1980, is administered by the Commerce Department.
Physics Laureate Hopes to Help Students Over the Science Blahs
Nov 1 2005 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
Although Nobel laureate Carl E. Wieman may have won the highest honor in science in 2001, he spends most of his time now leading reform efforts on the way universities teach physics. Wieman says undergraduate science is taught with college students thinking it is a class they have to go through and memorize several disconnected facts and formulas. “It has no connection to anything around them,” Wieman explains, noting that students learn science the same way they might learn Latin, by rote. Wieman hopes to develop new techniques and technologies to break this cycle.
His Scouts Will Learn Science, Not Tie Knots
Sep 12 2005 - Boston Globe (Requires free registration)
In 1993, Shawn Carlson quit his job running an observatory and supernova research at the University of California, Berkeley, and founded the Society for Amateur Scientists. The group aims to champion amateur scientists and struggles to democratize the elite world of science. Carlson is preparing for the society’s biggest project ever—LABRats, a kind of science Scouting program in which troops are replaced by “synergies” and leaders are called “mentors.” The program will be launched nationwide in May if the prototype start-up proves successful.
Women 'Take Back Seat' in Science
Aug 20 2005 - BBC News
Although there have been major advances, academic institutions are still not making full use of the pool of available female scientists, according to a report published in Science magazine. Lead author Jo Handelsman of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her colleagues, say there are four areas where women encounter challenges. They include a hostile work environment, unconscious bias, as well as balancing family and work. And in some fields, fewer women are trained to the PhD level and encouraged to pursue academic careers. A spokeswoman for the National Science Foundation notes “it is highly worthwhile investing in female talent.”
Opinion: American Science in Decline
Jul 18 2005 - The Washington Times
The author of this editorial asks the following question—is the American science and engineering dynamo slowing down? The United States continues to be a world leader in science and engineering, but a relative decline is evident. The author explains the problem is not a shortage of scientists and engineers in the United States, but rather how the country is “importing scientists and doctoral candidates from elsewhere to create an unattractive glut of low-income, low-prospect career paths, which native-born Americans are increasingly avoiding,” opting instead for lucrative opportunities in business, law, or medicine. The author notes this dilemma poses no immediate problem, but says outsourcing our own scientific expertise to willing foreigners is a loosing proposition in the long run and can pose national security problems.
Scientist Teaches with Everyday Items
May 29 2005 - Boston Globe
Science educators interested in learning how to teach students hands-on activities with simple materials can learn a few tips from Bernie Zubrowski. The senior scientist at the Center for Science Education at Education Development Center, Inc. in Newton, Massachusetts, has published 16 books and 12 curriculum guides with a variety of activities, including creating balloon-powered cars. NSTA and the American Association for the Advancement of Science have recognized Zubrowski for his teaching practices.
The Science Guy Grows Up
Apr 8 2005 - Wired News
Bill Nye, whose previous television series for children was equal parts lesson and stand-up comedy, has returned to the small screen. Nye has started a new television series called The Eyes of Nye, which discusses hard-hitting adult topics like addiction, cloning, and climate change. The show airs on local public television stations across the country. Click on the link above to learn more about the show and Nye’s interest in science.
Harvard Faculty Voting Tuesday on Confidence in President
Mar 15 2005 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences will consider a resolution of a lack of confidence in the school’s president at its monthly meeting today. Faculty members will also consider a statement expressing their regret over Lawrence Summers’ remarks about women in science, as well as aspects of the president’s management style. Several professors have criticized Summers’ style. Summers’ supporters argue the school president is an “inspiring, engaging leader who was bringing necessary change to Harvard.”
Eight to Receive President's 2003 National Medal of Science
Mar 10 2005 - National Science Foundation
Eight scientists and engineers including two Nobel Laureates will receive the National Medal of Science on March 14. President Bush will present the medals to the scientists for their distinguished careers, as well as their lifelong and individual achievements. The National Medal of Science is the country’s highest honor for researchers whose impacts are prominent in fields of science and engineering, as well as individual disciplines. The medals also recognize contributions to innovation, industry, or education.
Harvard President Meets With Faculty
Feb 23 2005 - CNN.com
Harvard University president Lawrence Summers hopes to improve relations with students and professors disenchanted with his leadership style, after meeting with the school’s faculty for a second time. Summers spent two hours Feb. 22 hearing critics and supporters discuss his blunt management style. The meeting did not include a no-confidence vote that some faculty members wanted to pursue. One professor, however, noted he would put the matter on the agenda for the faculty’s March 15 meeting.
Women in Physics Match Men in Success
Feb 22 2005 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
A new report reveals American women are just as successful as men in climbing the academic ladder, after they earn a bachelor’s degree in physics. Dr. Rachel Ivie, a sociologist and author of the report, says her statistics show no indication of discrimination in the hiring of female physicists. Ivie says the main reason fewer women make it to the top in physics is that fewer females started at the bottom. The percentage of female physics professors at top-tier universities is low because many current professors earned their doctorate degrees in the 1970s or earlier, when the field was almost entirely male and have not yet retired, Ivie adds.
Harvard Chief Again to Face Angry Faculty Over Remarks
Feb 22 2005 - Washington Post (Requires free registration)
Critics of Harvard University’s president are expected to excoriate Lawrence Summers today for his leadership style and recent remarks about women in science and engineering. But the university president also retains a strong base of support among university officials, professors, students, and former colleagues in the nation’s capital. Several supporters of Summers agree he made a mistake in a Jan. 14 meeting by referring to differences of “intrinsic aptitude” for science between men and women. But the proponents note that Summers has taken measures to demonstrate his commitment to change. A weekend survey of the school’s professors found faculty members divided on the issue.
Uproar Persists on Women in Science Remarks
Jan 21 2005 - San Diego Union-Tribune
Harvard University’s president is apologizing for remarks he made about the possible biological differences in scientific ability between men and women. In a letter to the Harvard community posted on the university’s website, Lawrence Summers wrote, “I deeply regret the impact of my comments and apologize for not having weighed them more carefully.” Summers argues that his remarks were misinterpreted and that he was not endorsing a position, but rather stating there is research that suggests such a difference might exist.
No Break in the Storm Over Harvard President's Words
Jan 19 2005 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
The controversy continues over remarks made by Harvard University’s president about why women are less likely to succeed in math and science careers. Members of a Harvard faculty committee that has examined the recruiting of female professors have sent a protest letter to Lawrence H. Summers. The committee claims Summers’ recent statements about innate differences between the sexes would “only make it harder to attract top candidates.”
Harvard President Criticized Over Comments About Women's Performance in Science, Mathematics
Jan 17 2005 - Houston Chronicle (Requires free registration)
The president of Harvard University is defending criticism over remarks he made about the performance of women in science and math. Lawrence H. Summers suggested at a recent conference that innate differences between the sexes could help explain why fewer women succeed in math and science careers. Summers claims his remarks were “misconstrued as suggesting that women lack the ability to succeed at the highest levels of math and science.” “I did not say that, nor do I believe it,” Summers said. Attendees at the conference voiced mixed reaction to Summers’ comments.
Where Art and Science Converge
Jan 11 2005 - Christian Science Monitor
They are nearly an invisible group, behind-the-scenes artists responsible for the wildflowers and skeletons that fill science books and medical texts. They adorn the walls of natural history museums with marshes, create exhibit labels to help aquarium visitors distinguish between a seal and a sea lion—and even design the occasional decorative postage stamp. Science illustrators have a background in art, but are captivated by nature. It’s not an unlikely pairing. Both art and science are about “close observation,” experts note. For more information about Science and Art, NSTA members can refer to the January 2005 issue of The Science Teacher.
Take This Job and...You May Love Yours
Oct 28 2004 - USA Today
What are the worst jobs in the world of science? The list includes landfill monitor, tick dragger, and worm parasitologist, according to an article in the November issue of Popular Science. Although these positions might make people’s skin crawl, those who perform the jobs are not bothered, says William Speed Weed, author of the article.
Francis Crick, Co-Discoverer of DNA, Dies at 88
Jul 30 2004 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
Science teachers can reflect on the life of Francis Crick through this article. Crick, the Nobel Prize winning scientist who with James Watson discovered the spiral “double-helix” structure of DNA, died July 28 at the age of 88 after a battle with colon cancer. Crick and Watson’s discovery help to pave the way for everything from DNA blood tests to genetically engineered tomatoes. “It’s almost too difficult to pay him high enough tribute for what he contributed,” observed Paul Berg, a Stanford University scientist and the “father” of genetic engineering.
Add Science, Business, Mathematics and Stir
Jul 19 2004 - USA Today
It promises to be the hot degree no one seems to have heard of—yet. Dubbed the “MBA for scientists and engineers,” the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program is a newly created degree aimed at future managers who want to deal with the business of science while understanding that the ultimate goal is not a scientific journal article, but marketable products. Although less than 400 students nationwide have graduated with a PSM since 2002, experts note more programs are being established at universities to offer this degree.
The Chilling of American Science
Jul 6 2004 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
Although recent reports have indicated a decline in the number of students seeking careers in science, one of the 1996 Nobel Prize winners for physics is hoping to change that trend. Dr. Robert C. Richardson is using the prestige of his Nobel to advocate for improved science education. To learn more about Richardson’s thoughts, click on the link above.
Astrophysicist Recognized for Discovery of Solar Wind
Aug 27 2003 - National Geographic News
A University of Chicago science professor will receive the 2003 Kyoto Prize for Lifetime Achievement for Basic Science in November. Eugene Parker’s groundbreaking discovery that a stiff wind blows incessantly from the sun, filling local interstellar space with ionized gas forever changed how scientists perceive space. Parker’s discovery also helped to explain several phenomena, ranging from geomagnetic storms that knock out power grids on Earth to the formation of distant stars.
Science Graduates Live Long and Prosper
Aug 1 2003 - New Scientist.com
A new study shows that science, engineering, and medical students live longer and healthier compared to those who study other subjects. Peter McCarron of Queens University in Ireland and his colleagues analyzed the medical records of 10,000 male graduates of Glasgow University before reporting their findings. McCarron noted that the low mortality rate among science students could reflect social and economic factors.
NSTA WebNews Analysis: Women in Science
Jul 25 2003 - Kristin Collins - NSTA
Science has traditionally been a male-dominated field, one in which women have struggled to succeed. Many young women avoid entering the field for that reason. Some noted female scientists and well-known technology companies, however, are trying to reverse that trend. Click on the above link to learn more.
Career That Grew From an Embryo
Jul 9 2003 - The New York Times (Requires free registration)
Science educators can learn about Shirley Tilghman’s career in this article. Tilghman, a distinguished molecular geneticist, is the first woman to head Princeton University in its 257 years. Tilghman discusses in the article the three passions of her work life: science, education, and the advancement of women.
Women in Science Push Higher on the Y Axis of Success
May 6 2003 - The New York Times (Requires free registration)
Women are making more of a name for themselves in the world of science. The National Academy of Sciences new member list shows 17 of the six-dozen American inductees are women and that four of the 18 new foreign associates are also female. Scientists say despite the good news, more progress needs to be made in encouraging women to pursue careers in science.
Commentary: Where Have All the [Science] Graduate Students Gone?
Jul 25 2002 - Christian Science Monitor
"With statistics compiled by the National Science Foundation, professional science organizations, and the federal government, it's official. Prospective students are turning away from careers in science...and there is little sign of a turnaround," the above commentary reads. What is influencing the decline in science students, and what can be done to convince young people that becoming a scientist is an attractive option? Click above to read one scientist's views...
Scientist and Author Stephen Jay Gould Dies at 60
May 21 2002 - Washington Post
Stephen Jay Gould, a world-renowned scientist and prolific writer who helped bring evolutionary theory and paleontology to a broad public audience, died yesterday of cancer. In his field, Gould was also known for his theory of "punctuated equilibria," which maintains that evolution occurs in relatively rapid spurts after long stretches of little or no change in an organism. Click above to read more about Gould's remarkable and varied lifetime achievements, which even included a starring role in an episode of "The Simpsons."
President Bush Announces Top Science, Technology Awardees
May 10 2002 - MSNBC
President Bush announced yesterday that 19 individuals -- and one corporation -- would receive the 2001 National Medals of Science and National Medals of Technology, considered the nation's highest awards for scientists and engineers. "Their contributions have touched all our lives and will continue to do so," Bush said of the recipients. Click above for a list of the winners -- and descriptions of their achievements. For more information on the National Medal of Science, including a list of recipients since 1962, click here.
Amateurs Learn to Dig up Dinos
Apr 4 2002 - MSNBC -- AP
The above article profiles the amateur paleontologist program at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Created in 1990, the program offers hands-on training at fossil excavation sites and classes that include research methods, report writing, geology, and vertebrate paleontology. So far, the program has graduated about 160 amateurs, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in paleontology. "The best part about the program is you don't need any experience," the program's creator said. Find out more...
Dead Men Talking: Profile of a Forensics Expert
Mar 19 2002 - CBS News (60 Minutes II)
The job of a forensic anthropologist is to go at a crime scene the way a paleontologist would sift for dinosaur fossils. And Bill Bass, a distinguished professor at the University of Tennessee and an expert on human remains, happens to be one of the best in the world. In fact, he's so good at his job that prosecutors often rely on his expertise as the last best chance to solve a murder mystery. "It's true. You have a body. You're trying to figure out who that is," says Bass. "But they're all different, and it's a challenge, to see whether you can solve the puzzle." Click above to learn more about what makes Bass one of the top minds in his field.
Pay Gap Remains for Women in Life Sciences
Oct 16 2001 - New York Times (requires free registration)
The good news is that most life scientists are overwhelmingly pleased with their profession, and their salaries are on the rise. The bad news is that at least one verity refuses to die: For every dollar that a male life scientist earns, a woman earns not quite 77 cents. These findings come from a report, commissioned by the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, that is said to be the largest salary and job satisfaction study performed of life scientists in the United States.
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