Career Development FY 2005 

A major part of the ORWH mandate is to develop opportunities and support for 

recruitment, retention, re-entry, and advancement of women in biomedical careers. To 

accomplish these goals, ORWH held a public hearing and major career development 

workshop in 1992. ORWH invited and interacted with the scientific and medical 

communities, organizations with an interest in women's health, the Congress, and other 

components of Government about NIH's programs related to women's health as well as 

the public. 

The ORWH initiated a number of programs to nurture the participation and advancement 

of women in biomedical careers in order to ensure that interest and priorities in women’s 

health remain at the forefront of our nation’s research agenda. ORWH has developed 

strategies and programs to implement the recommendations made at this workshop and to 

address career issues, barriers, and concerns of women and minorities in science. These 

programs include support for mentored research training in areas related to women’s 

health; support for biomedical scientists who have interrupted careers in research in order 

to fulfill family obligations to re-start their research careers; outreach to young girls and 

women who have an interest in pursuing careers in biomedical science; and collaboration 

with professional societies to encourage their support of the career advancement of 

women scientists. 

OFFICE OF RESEARCH ON WOMEN=S HEALTH/OFFICE OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

Fiscal Year 2005 Joint Program Highlights

For several years, the Office of Research on Women=s Health (ORWH) and the Office of Science 

Education (OSE) have provided educational resources for pre-college students and others who are 

interested in science and health careers. The partnership sponsored two programs and one 

special project during fiscal 2005. 

In fiscal 2005, there were over 21,000 “unique hits” on the OSE URL for ORWH/OSE programs, or 

an increase of approximately 14 percent. There seems to be an increase in website traffic that 

coincides with OSE’s attendance at teacher conferences. Overwhelmingly, the customers were 

from the United States, however, over 4 percent were from international email addresses. The 

popularity of the ongoing two programs makes it evident that they are filling an important need for 

material about careers for women in science. 

Women are Scientists Video and Poster Series: Colorful, informative videos and posters 

for middle-school students that feature women scientists. The series is designed to stimulate the 

interest of girls in science at a time when they are making decisions about the course choices that 

may affect their career options later. In the middle-school years, many girls are discouraged from 

pursuing advanced levels of study in math and science. This series is intended to make them 

aware of the many interesting and rewarding careers in the medical sciences and the educational 

requirements necessary to pursue them.

Highlights: The Women are Scientists video series continues to be popular among students and 

educators. Because of the volume of requests for these videos, the supply of the first three video 
kits has been exhausted, including the reprints of these kits. (A few are being held for emergency 

purposes.) 

The total number of videos distributed in fiscal 2005 was 11,631. Of that total, the distribution was: 

2,183 for Women Scientists with Disabilities; 4,822 of Women are Pathologists; 4,623 of Women 

are Researchers; 3 of Women are Surgeons (low number based on lack of availability at the 

beginning of the year). The reported usage included requests from middle and high school 

teachers, home school teachers, and libraries and for outreach activities and career counseling.

The OSE, with concurrence by ORWH, is in the process of reproducing the first three 

videos in DVD format. A cardboard wallet has been designed as a self mailer. The 

artwork for the first video has been approved and is being used as a template for the other 

two. The master DVDs are being reviewed prior to reproducing 10,000 of each. 

Working through the NIH art staff, the cost for this project will be approximately $20,000 

under the original estimate. The excess funds were returned to ORWH. 

Work is well underway for the fifth video kit, Women in Dental Research. The contract was 

awarded to Beck Shoup & Associates, Inc. in February 2005. A draft script treatment was 

developed and finalized, and three women were identified to be profiled: 

• Dr. Deborah Greenspan, Clinical Professor, Stomatoloty and Clinical Director, Oral AIDA 

Center, University of California at San Francisco 

• Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat, Amsterdam Dean, The Robert Schattner Center, School of Dental 

Medicine, University of Pennsylvania 

• Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, Associate Professor, School of Dentistry, University of 

North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Filming of the three women at their institutions has been completed and poster shots for each have 

been selected along with quotes to match the still photos. 

An article for the University of Pennsylvania’s Alumni newsletter about the filming of Dr. Jeffcoat for 

the video was reviewed. 

Women in Science Poster Series: A series of free posters, with a companion website, 

aimed primarily at middle-school girls. The series emphasizes that science and medical research 

offer many different career paths, all of which are excellent opportunities for women. They feature 

careers in neuroscience, heart disease, and cancer research. 

Highlights: Posters are distributed primarily at the science teacher conferences attended by the 

OSE, and by mail through a request form on the OSE website. The posters have been especially 

popular at teacher conferences, where there is a dearth of materials that focus on women in 

science. In fiscal 2005, 1600 copies of each poster were distributed to teachers, State 

departments of education, and local school systems. 
ORWH/OSE Bookmarks: This is a special project requested by the director, ORWH. The directors 

of ORWH and OSE approved the bookmark design. The bookmarks were printed in early fiscal 

2005 and are being distributed at special events attended by ORWH and OSE staff. 

Women’s Reproductive Health Research Career (WRHR) Development Program 

(RFA HD04-014) 

For FY 2005, ORWH funded 10 new Centers.

(1) 2 K12 HD001255-06 

Robert L. Barbieri, M.D. 

Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School 

Title: Development of Scholars in Ob-Gyn for the 21st Century 

This continuing program builds on a long tradition of investigation and teaching in 

women’s reproductive health. Dr. Barbieri has put together an outstanding plan that will 

make available biomedical resources in the extensive Harvard-affiliated system. The 

didactic component along with the clinical breadth and biomedical research capabilities 

of the system will provide a rich foundation for career development. Individualized plans 

are personalized for each scholar and could include enrollment in Masters or PhD 

programs. In particular, assignment to one of three career tracks based on the scholar’s 

background can only optimize a quality research experience. Mentoring from both a 

research and academic career advisor make-up a cohesive plan to solidify career 

development. Strengths include the five core strategies and key functional components 

that leverage the full potential of research training to ensure successful career 

development of ob/gyn physician scientists. 

(2) 2 K12 HD001258-06 

John C. Hauth, M.D. 

University of Alabama at Birmingham 

Title: Ob/Gyn Faculty Research Career Development Program 

This renewal application is based on a research infrastructure that can accommodate and 

sustain an independent program dedicated to future generations of physician scientists. 

Dr. Hauth plans to include the program as a division within the Center for Research in 

Women’s Health, thereby allowing scholars access to research programs and senior 

mentors. The Center’s mission to maximize educational opportunities complements the 

institution’s plan to provide a resource-rich environment for research training. This 

application offers a formal structured pathway by which entry-level or advanced scholars 

at different levels of development and expertise can be expected to acquire research skills 

appropriate to their ultimate goal of becoming independent investigators. A major 

strength is the critical mass of senior academicians with enhanced interdisciplinary 

research skills to assist in the development of physician scientists capable of sustaining 

independent research careers. 
(3) 2 K12 HD001259-06 

Thomas R. Moore, M.D. 

University of California San Diego 

Title: Reproductive Sciences Research Career Development Center 

This ongoing proposal includes a flexible two-phase program to accommodate the needs 

of potential scholars with a broad range of scientific backgrounds and experience. Dr. 

Moore plans to increase the opportunities for creative interdisciplinary approaches to 

diseases by bringing together basic scientists and ob/gyn clinical collaborators interested 

in the application of research advances specific to women’s reproductive health. Scholars 

who enter this program have access to clinical translational and basic science 

collaborators with expertise in applying scientific findings to bedside medicine. A major 

strength is the Mentoring Committee, which represents a unique approach to provide 

scholars with an optimal research environment, and assists in sharpening their research 

skills as they move toward independence. Required didactic courses and opportunities for 

advanced degrees round out the training experience. 

(4) 2 K12 HD001332-06 

James R. Woods, M.D. 

University of Rochester 

Title: Rochester Women’s Reproductive health Research program 

This renewal application presents an outstanding pathway for ob/gyn physician scientists 

to commence their research careers. Scholars entering this program complete a basic core 

of didactic courses emphasizing clinical research design, data processing and analysis, 

writing and ethics. Dr. Woods believes that a core curriculum of knowledge, skills and 

research perspectives will be important in clinical investigation and practice. With this in 

mind and taking into account the experience of the scholars, the program offers two 

individualized tracks: laboratory science and clinical science. Both tracks will provide 

scholars with the underpinnings needed to maximize the benefit from mentored research. 

The environment offers a longstanding multidisciplinary research focus, including a pool 

of mentors who are leaders in their respective fields and experienced educators. This 

approach to training is the cornerstone of a program that has been successful in training 

physician scientists. 

(5) 1 K12 HD050128-01 

Joe L. Simpson, M.D. 

Baylor College of Medicine 

Title: Baylor WRHR Program 

This application offers career development for ob/gyn clinicians pursuing molecular 

research related to women’s reproductive health. The program is a partnership involving 

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center that offers scholars greater access to clinical resources and 

core laboratories, as well as a full range of training opportunities to facilitate a seamless 

transition to research independence for scholars. A major strength includes the mentoring 

program that complements a formal didactic curriculum consisting of five required 
courses. Dr. Simpson has arranged for each scholar to have two mentors and an 

individualized training plan expressly designed for their professional backgrounds. These 

are important strengths of the program. The primary research mentor’s role is to secure 

the development of solid investigative expertise. The secondary ob/gyn academic 

mentor’s responsibilities are to maintain the clinical perspective and monitor academic 

progress. 

(6) 2 K12 HD001271-06 

Ronald S. Gibbs, M.D. 

University of Colorado Denver/HSC Aurora 

Title: Colorado WRHR Career Development Center 

This continuing program has a flexible plan focused on basic cellular and molecular 

mechanisms and translational research for scholars seeking an independent research 

career in women’s reproductive health. Dr. Gibbs has established milestones for 

advancement in the program, including an ongoing dialogue with mentors, successfully 

completing a model curriculum for scholars with varying degrees of experience, and 

writing research proposals. The institution is developing several core laboratory facilities 

to assist scholars in the design and implementation of their research projects. The 

combined expertise of these cores will provide the infrastructure for a multifaceted 

approach to the challenges of career development. A major strength of the program is the 

new interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Reproductive Science that is expected to 

foster interactions among scientists and clinicians and offers scholars exposure to 

multiple disciplines in a rich intellectual environment. 

(7) 1 K12 HD050113-01 

Robert C. Cefalo, M.D., Ph.D. 

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 

Title: WRHR Career Development at UNC 

This application builds on the institution’s climate of research growth and commitment to 

patient-oriented translational research. Dr. Cefalo has a program with a long tradition of 

preparing ob/gyn physicians for careers in clinical research and a track record of 

interdisciplinary reproductive health research. One objective is to orient new 

investigators toward large-scale collaborative research teams. Scholars entering this 

program will convene a mentor panel to access scientific expertise, consultation, and 

resources. The new Ob/Gyn Resource Core is available to provide comprehensive 

services to support integration of laboratory methods into the scholars’ research projects. 

A major strength of the program is the proposed partnership with the Morehouse School 

of Medicine to identify eligible members of the ob/gyn faculty to participate in the 

program. Didactic components and a tailored program of training increase the likelihood 

of future research independence. 

(8) 1 K12 HD050121-01 

Sherman Elias, M.D. 

Northwestern University 
Title: Research Career Development in Obstetrics and Gynecology 

This proposal has a highly innovative approach for establishing a training program for 

ob/gyn physician scientists. Dr. Elias proposes a custom-designed research training and 

career development plan for each scholar. Scholars will be exposed to research tools, 

graduate courses, and grant writing skills. The program is designed to accommodate 

scholars with a variety of research backgrounds. The scholars will enter a basic science or 

clinical track based on their interests and previous research experience. The program 

provides an outstanding pool of experienced basic science, translational and clinical 

research mentors whose expertise spans a wide spectrum of reproductive science 

research. This group has an established track record for training independent 

investigators. A strength of the program is its location, surrounded by six medical schools 

in the Chicago area that has one of the largest concentrations of highly qualified potential 

scholars. 

(9) 2 K12 HD001254-06 

Mary D'Alton, M.D. 

Colombia University Health Sciences 

Title: Columbia U CTR For Career Dev. In Reproductive Sciences 

This ongoing program offers a unique opportunity for scholars to learn experimental 

concepts and techniques that will provide the necessary basics for a fruitful academic 

career. Dr. D’Alton plans to attract mentors primarily from the Center for Reproductive 

Sciences within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. An important strength of 

the program is its long-standing history of combining basic investigation and training in 

the reproductive sciences. With this objective in mind, the program intends to recruit 

scholars who have an interest and passion for basic investigation. The underlying theme 

is to maintain an essential clinical link to encourage a bridge between basic research 

process and its application and relevance to clinical principles related to women’s health 

concerns. Clinical advisors will be available to facilitate this linkage. This program 

appears well positioned to train the next generation of outstanding physician scientists in 

women’s reproductive health. 

(10) 1 K12 HD050108-01 

Donald R. Coustan, M.D. 

Women and Infants Hospital - Rhode Island/Brown Medical School 

Title: Brown Medical School/WIHRI Dept of Ob/Gyn WRHR Program 

This proposal presents a very strong program dedicated to the career development of 

physician scientists and clinical investigators. Dr. Coustan has a flexible program that 

will provide each scholar with a core curriculum essential for his/her development as an 

independent investigator in women’s health, a suitable mentor who can provide the 

guidance and expertise to assure successful academic development and skills as an 

independent investigator, and the research infrastructure in an environment conducive to 

investigation into women’s health. The scholars will be able to capitalize on a diverse 

group of senior scientific mentors and supporting investigators providing academic career 
advice. A major strength of this program is the focus on the translation of basic research 

into patient-oriented, clinical research to improve women’s health. Their goal of creating 

independent investigators who will be committed to research careers in women’s 

reproductive health should be realized. 

ORWH: Project Status Report, Core ACTeam 

October, 2004-October, 2005 

Partnership Meetings

Three Partnership Events were held during this fiscal year. Each of these events was 

tailored to the needs of the partner society. Each included a history of AXXS, current 

statistics related to women in science, and discussions about the role of the society in the 

advancement of the career of women/members. Specific presentations are tailored to the 

needs of the partner society. 

 Andrea Zardetto-Smith, Jong-on Hahm, Sue Shafer, presented with Joan King 

at the Society for Neuroscience in October, 2004. A full report, including 

recommendations, was sent to ORWH and the Society for Neuroscience 

through the Committee on the Development of Women’s Careers in 

Neuroscience and Women in Neuroscience. 

 Sue Shafer, Vivian Pinn, Pamela Marino, Elizabeth Marincola, Ric Shafer and 

Michael Milano hosted a Partnership Meeting at the December, 2005 meeting 

of the American Society for Cell Biology. The meeting presented a history of 

AXXS, current statistics related to women in science, and discussions about 

the role of the society in the advancement of the careers of women. A full 

report from this Partnership Event was sent to the ORWH and the ASCB. 

In July, 2004, Sue Shafer along with Dr. Yolanda Cruz, Dr. Ida Chow, and Dr. Ruth 

Lehman hosted a 90-minute breakfast event for the members of the Society for 

Developmental Biology. This session was aimed at all members with Sue describing the 

work of AXXS. A full report of this meeting was sent to ORWH and the SDB Executive 

Council and the SDB Professional Development and Education Com Background: 

W:\WP51DOCS\UGSP 2006\ORWH Summary Report Oct 2005-2.doc 

“Effective Practices”

 The “Sixteen Effective Practices” have been printed and distributed for 

Partnership Events and posted on the AXXS Website. 

 Both new publications call for additional effective practices and include 

directions for submitting such practices. 

ORWH/Office of Loan Repayment, OIR 

The OLRS, Office of Intramural Research (OIR) is responsible for the development and 

management of the Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Individuals from 

Disadvantaged Backgrounds (UGSP). The UGSP provides scholarships to undergraduate 

students who have been competitively selected from a nation-wide pool of candidates. 

The OLRS awards an average of 15 scholarships each year. The ORWH has been very 
supportive of supporting female UGSP scholars since FY01. In FY05, six female UGSP 

scholars, five in their second year of the program and one in her third, are being 

supported by ORWH. The following is a summary report on the ORWH-sponsored 

Scholars. 

FY05 

Giselle Román Hernández is receiving her third year of UGSP support to pursue her 

bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at 

Mayaguez. During the summer 2004, she studied the expression and function of EGF 

receptors in a human derived glial cell lines, as well as in cells differentiated towards a 

neuronal phenotype. She trained in both my laboratory in the National Cancer Institute 

and Dr. Eugene Major’s laboratory in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders 

and Stroke and presented a poster at the NIH Poster Day titled, “Epidermal Growth 

Factor Receptor Expression During Neural Cell Differentiation.” She also presented a 

poster at the 2004 Annual Biomedical Conference for Minority Students in Dallas, Texas. 

Ms. Román returned to my lab this summer and presented a poster at the NIH Poster Day 

titled, “Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression during Neural Cell 

Differentiation.” Ms. Román will graduate in the spring and is currently applying to 

graduate school programs. 

Luciann L. Cuenca is a senior majoring in biochemistry at the Catholic University of 

America in Washington, D.C., who is receiving a second year of UGSP scholarship 

support. This summer she trained under the mentorship of Dr. Curtis Harris, in the 

Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis in the National Cancer Institute. She presented a 

poster titled, “Characterization of Human Cancer Stem Cells” at the 2005 UGSP Poster 

Day. Based on financial support provided through the ORWH-UGSP partnership, she 

also presented a poster at the SACNAS National Conference in Denver, Colorado, this 

October. After graduation, Ms. Cuenca plans to pursue a Ph.D. to conduct research on 

drug discovery and design for cancer treatment. 

Kelly R. Daigle, a junior majoring in biological sciences and biochemistry at North 

Carolina State University, is receiving a second year of scholarship support through the 

UGSP. Ms. Daigle trained under Dr. Andrew Singleton in the National Institute on 

Aging’s Laboratory of 

Neurogenetics this summer and presented a poster at the NIH Poster Day titled, 

“Identification and Validation of the Transcriptional Responses Controlled by DJ-1.” 

Upon graduation Kelly plans to pursue a Ph.D. in genetics or neuroscience. 

Vanessa J. Flores, who is receiving a second year of scholarship support, will graduate 

this spring from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s in biology. She completed her 10-

week internship this summer with Dr. Mortimer Mishkin in the National Institute of 

Mental Health’s Section on Cognitive Neuroscience. Her poster at the NIH Poster Day 

was titled, “Study of Cerebral Mechanisms for Auditory Recognition Memory in the 

Rhesus Monkey.” Ms. Flores plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. after graduation. 
Annie M. Le is a junior at the University of Rochester majoring in cell and 

developmental biology, who is receiving a second year of UGSP support. Ms. Le trained 

with Dr. Rocky Tuan in the Cartilage Biology and Orthopaedics Branch, National 

Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, this summer and presented a 

poster titled, “The Role of the Cytoskeleton in Chondrogenesis” at the NIH Poster Day. 

She hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in cell biology and a Masters of Public Health through the 

NIH Graduate Partnership Program. 

Lisa M. Watanabe is receiving a second year of support through the UGSP to continue 

her studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in genetics. She was mentored by 

Dr. Gisela Storz this summer in the Cell Biology and Metabolism Branch, National 

Institute of 

Child Health and Human Development, and presented a poster titled, “Small Non-coding 

RNA Regulators in E. coli” at the NIH Poster Day this summer. 

The support of these undergraduate students by the ORWH has allowed them to focus on 

their studies and receive excellent research training and skill enhancement activities at the 

NIH. These students exemplify measurable development in their biomedical research 

careers, evidenced, in part, through their academic achievements and research 

accomplishments. The continued support of the ORWH has allowed the UGSP to select 

additional excellent students who receive training in the NIH intramural program. These 

students are superb representatives of the ORWH and the UGSP. 

ORWH/OFFICE of INTRAMURAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION 

The ORWH provided the Office of Education, now the Office of Intramural Training and 

Education, with $111,200 in FY2005 to support a series of programs for both our 

postdoctoral fellows and postbaccalaureate trainees. 

For Postdoctoral Fellows, these programs included (1) the Survival Skills Workshops, 

five half-day workshops that were presented by Dr. Michael Zigmond and Beth Fisher of 

the University of Pittsburgh and addressed the topics of resume writing, job interviewing, 

negotiating a job offer, grant writing, and establishing a laboratory; (2) a career series 

consisting of panels of experts in career fields for which a biomedical research 

background is essential, including biodefense, teaching, patents, and technology transfer. 

The speakers for the career series were all former NIH fellows, who are particularly 

effective with the fellows and can offer them up-to-date information and networking for 

the jobs; (3) courses on Speaking and Writing about Science, each a 4-5 week course 

offered three times per year; (4) an Advanced Course: Speaking about Science, offered 

twice last year, offered a forum for in-depth, individualized assistance to each participant; 

(5) the Job Fair 2005, held annually in conjunction with the NIH Research Festival, 

which brought in companies that have jobs available - more than 800 fellows 

participated; (6) a new pilot course Improved Language Skills, offered to first year 

Visiting Fellows, to enable them to improve their English skills, necessary for future 

professional development. The curriculum covered scientific vocabulary, diction, 

articulation, verbal pace, and general guidelines for speaking before a group. 
For Postbaccalaureate trainees, the programs offered included (1) Career Enhancement 

Seminars designed to assist postbaccalaureate trainees as they prepare for careers in 

research, which include sessions on speaking about science, tips on scientific poster 

presentations, preparation for the MCAT and GRE tests, and the Myers-Briggs 

personality inventory; (2) the fifth annual Poster Day for NIH postbaccalaureate 

trainees, held early in May, that showcased a record total of 254 trainees, representing a 

wide range of institutes and centers, who presented their research accomplishments to the 

NIH scientific community; (3) the Premed Advising Workshop for postbaccalaureate 

trainees who plan to apply for admission to medical school, given by Paula Ashby, 

Assistant Director of Academic Services, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and 

Dr. Lee Ann Michelson, Assistant Director, Office of Career Services, Harvard 

University. 

All of these programs were well attended and evaluations conducted at the end of each 

indicated that they were well received and accomplished their purposes. None of this 

would have been possible without the generous support of the Office of Research on 

Women’s Health and we wish to express our gratitude for your funding. 

MEETING SUMMARY: THE AXXS PARTNERSHIP MEETING HELD WITH 

THE SOCIETY FOR DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 

On July 29, 2005, three representatives1

 of the AXXS Core ACTeam met with members 

of the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB) at the 64th SDB Annual Meeting held in 

San Francisco, California. Their purpose was to provide a forum for those SDB attendees 

to recommend to the SDB leadership how SDB might enlarge its already considerable 

presence in assisting their members develop their careers. 

This 90-minute-long session took place during the breakfast hour. A continental 

breakfast was offered to those who attended. By earlier mutual agreement with the SDB 

Executive Officer, this meeting addressed the career development issues for all society 

members, not just women. 196 (of the approximately 1,000 meeting registrants) 

registered for this workshop; and about 100 registrants attended. About 60% of those 

attending are women; and about 2/3 of the presenters and facilitators are women. 

Dr. Sue Shafer opened the workshop, restating its purpose, and introducing Dr. Yolanda 

Cruz, Professor of Biology, Oberlin College, and co-organizer of the workshop; and Dr. 

Ida Chow, Executive Officer, SDB, who arranged the workshop’s logistics, and 

participated in its substantive planning2

. 

Dr. Shafer mentioned her own involvement in advancing women’s careers in science 

through AXXS. She outlined the agenda for the workshop; and encouraged participants 

to bring their two most important recommendations to Dr. Cruz at the end of the 

 

1

 W. Sue Shafer, Ph.D.; Joyce Rudick; Richard L. Shafer 2

 SDB support of the session included breakfast for the participants and complimentary registration for Sue 

and Ric Shafer. 
discussions. She then introduced Dr. Ruth Lehman, Professor of Developmental 

Genetics, NYU Medical Center, an SDB past president, who reviewed the society’s 

current resources for members as they explore career options and avenues for career 

advancement (see Attachment 1). 

Participants then separated into 8 discussion groups, each with one or two facilitators. 

The groups were asked to discuss how the present SDB offerings are working, and what 

more the SDB could do for its members. The highlights of those groups’ 

recommendations are listed in Attachment 2. 

Facilitators included: 

Carolyn Bruzdzinski. American Cancer Society 

Cathy Krull, University of Michigan (Midwest representative on SDB Board of 

Directors) 

Leland Johnson, Augustana College 

Ruth Lehman, NYU Medical Center (SDB Past President) 

Gail Martin, University of California San Francisco (SDB President-elect) 

David McClay, Duke University (SDB Past President and current Treasurer) 

Mary Montgomery Macalester College (Member of SDB Professional 

Development and Education Committee) 

Judith Plesset, National Science Foundation 

Lee Niswander, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (Southwest 

representative on SDB Board of Directors) 

Gary Schoenwolf, University of Utah (SDB past Secretary) 

William Wood, University of Colorado (Chair of SDB Professional Development 

and Education Committee) 

Additional Facilitators who volunteered onsite included: 

Scott Barolo, University of Michigan 

Pete Mathers, West Virginia University (SDB representative on FASEB Board of 

Directors) 

Phil Newmark, University of Illinois 

Mike Stark, Brigham Young University 

Catherine Tosney, University of Michigan (Coordinator of SDB Website 

Education Page and SDB past Treasurer) 

Bob Zeller, San Diego State University 

The recommendations included in this report as Attachment 2 will be transmitted to SDB 

Executive Council, and to the SDB Professional Development and Education Committee. 
Attachment 1: 

Society for Developmental Biology 

Resources for Career Advancement and Options 

1. SDB Professional Development and Education Committee 

--Chair: Bill Wood 

--Members: Diana Darnell, Bob DeHaan, Mary Montgomery, Susan Strome and Kathryn 

Tosney (ad hoc, SDB Education Page Coordinator) 

2. Travel Awards/Grants 

To attend the SDB Annual Meetings

--Graduate students and Post-Doctoral fellows travel awards (traditional) 

--British SDB best poster competition winner hosting at the SDB annual meeting 

(tradition) 

--Teaching faculty travel grant (instituted in 2004) 

--Travel award for the best student and the best Post-Doctoral presentations at regional 

meetings (instituted in 2005) 

 --Travel award for the two best undergraduate posters on developmental biology 

at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (instituted in 2002 

and now jointly with FASEB-MARC program) 

 --Latin American-Caribbean Scholarships for six awards to a combination of 

faculty and student/Post-Doc from the Caribbean and Latin American countries 

(instituted in 2000) 

To attend the SDB Regional Meetings

--Traditionally students and Post-Docs have very low registration fees and in NW region 

subsidized housing as well 

--Best poster/presentation competition awards 

--Travel awards 

3. Workshops at Annual Meetings 

--Education and professional development booth with materials contributed by members 

and complied by the SDB Professional Development and Education Committee (yearly 

since 2000) 

--Funding opportunities (yearly) 

--Career choices 

--Teaching and presentation skills, ex. use of Internet, PowerPoint, Poster, course content 

design, innovative lab activities 

 Getting a job 

 Grant writing 

--Women and minority issues 

4. Workshops at Regional Meetings 

--Career choices 

--Grant writing 
--Outreach sessions connecting university and pre-college faculties 

--Educational partnerships with local governments 

--Lab tours for undergraduate students from the Navajo Nation colleges (NM and AZ) 

--Pedagogical approaches using the politics, ethics and biology of stem cells and cloning 

--3-D animation for illustration and education 

--How students learn 

5. New initiatives 

--E-mentors (started in 2004) for advanced graduate students, Post-Docs, junior faculty 

and pre-college teachers 

--Scientific Lab Management sessions (started in 2005), as partner of HHMI/ Burroughs 

Wellcome Foundation’s program 

--Satellite Short Course at the 2nd International Meeting of the Latin American 

SDB: Model Organisms and Innovative Approaches in Developmental Biology

(2005). Thirty students from USA and Latin America, advanced graduate 

students, Post-Docs and junior faculty (major support from NSF’s Pan American 

Advanced Studies Institutes program, also from NICHD and Brazilian agencies 

FAPESP and CNPq) 

--Partnership with FASEB-MARC Program: seminars and workshops at regional 

meetings (2006) 

6. Other resources 

--FASEB’s Individual Development Plan for Post-Doctoral Fellows: 

http://www.faseb.org/opa/ppp/educ/idp.html

Attachment 2: 

Highlights of notes from discussion groups: 

About jobs, and job-related issues at SDB annual and regional Meetings 

⇒ 

 

⇒ 

⇒ 

⇒ 

⇒ 

⇒ 

⇒ 

 

 

 

⇒ 

Have job announcements; advertise SDB job search engines to institutions 

Job placements, job fairs at meetings 

Offer career options: workshops like this one, 

Have panel discussion with speakers from diverse careers (as models) 

Provide help in international job networking 

About Post-Docs and Young Faculty 

Have student/Post-Doc scientific presentations WITHOUT faculty separate 

symposium for Post-Docs 

Develop satellite meeting to include career transition, lab management, authorship, 

ethics, etc. 

Post-Doc empowerment & support: 

resource clearinghouse registry 

link to Nat Post-Doc Assn & presentation from NPA at SDB meeting 

develop interactions with Nat Post-Doc Association 

Workshop on mentoring & negotiations from perspective of mentee 
⇒ 

⇒ 

⇒ 

⇒ 

Mentor Training, facilitated workshops 

About Grad Students 

Increase interactions among grad students, Post-Docs, faculty 

For grad students, offer more resources for advice on career path choices 

About International Students 

AXXS Coordinating Team 

(Core ACTeam):

W. Sue Shafer, Chair 

Abhijit Ghosh, Contractor,

ORWH, NIH 

Jong-on Hahm, National 

Research Council 

Gwendolyn Keita, American

Psychological Association 

Vicki Malick, ORWH, NIH 

Elizabeth Marincola, 

American Society for Cell

Biology

Pamela Marino, National 

Institute of General Medical 

Sciences, NIH 

Page Morahan, Executive 

Leadership in Academic

Medicine (ELAM) Program 

for Women 

Joyce Rudick, ORWH, NIH 

Richard Shafer, San Francisco 

Andrea Zardetto-Smith, 

Society for Neuroscience

Michael Milano, Consultant

Facilitator 

At meetings, offer workshops with international student issues (jobs, 

visas, green cards, etc.) 

About the SDB website:

⇒ Enhance SDB website interactivity, esp. career planning info 

⇒ 

⇒ 

⇒ 

Have useful information for international students 

About Primarily Undergraduate Institutions 

Have a Political Action Group at meetings to address PUI-specific 

issues 

Award SDB grant funds for speakers or mentors to site-visit PUIs for 

meeting, interactions. 

August 9, 2005 

Dr. Vivian Pinn, Director 

Office of Research on Women’s Health 

National Institutes of Health

Building 1, Room 201 

9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, MD 20892-0161

Dear Dr. Pinn: 

I am pleased to send this report on the most recent AXXS partnership meeting with the 

Society for Developmental Biology (SDB). The SDB Career Workshop entitled, “Career 

Options: Networking with SDB Resources” was held on July 29, 2005, 7:30 am to 9:00

am, at their 64th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. 

The report includes a brief meeting summary; a description of present offerings by SDB

for assisting its members in career development issues; and recommendations from the 

meeting participants to the SDB. 

Recommendations made by meeting participants relate to AXXS’ areas of initiative as 

follows: 

1. Leadership, Visibility and Recognition -- Not addressed.
2. Mentoring and Networking – See appendix 2. Many of the recommendations relate directly or 

indirectly to mentoring or interactions with fellow scientists, both peers and faculty. 

3. Effective Practices – See Appendix 1. The SDB has instituted many practices with regard to their 

members’ career development. These may well be candidates for incorporation into the AXXS 

collection of Effective Practices. 

4. Oversight, Tracking and Accountability -- Not addressed. 

I’ll be happy to expand on this brief report as you request. 

Sincerely yours, 

Richard L. Shafer 

cc: Ida Chow, Executive Officer, 

 Society for Developmental Biology