Notes from the Prez
Women's History Month
New Membership Labels
Check This Out
Baxter/Catalyst Award
March
Programs Flyer
Come Join Us!
Donation to Outreach
Women Philanthropists
Programs News
NCC Awards Dinner Registration
Jan. Review
Cancer and Education Grants
Calendar of Events
Board Information
Mailing Page
It’s spring - time for the NCC (Northern California Chapter) events to rock our world. Coming up on April 29th, I am looking forward to the Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet. Hope you can join this gathering of over 100 AWIS members and their friends for a great dinner and what is likely to be the highest energy occasion in the Bay Area. See the flyer in this newsletter for details and sign up early.
It’s spring - time to elect a new Board for the Palo Alto Chapter. Look for your ballot, and please return your vote promptly by mail or email! We are required by our by-laws to elect five Board members every two years: Prez, VP, Sec’y, Treasurer, and Member-at-Large. The Committees that do the real work of the Palo Alto Chapter: Membership, Newsletter, Mentoring, Outreach, and Programs are vibrant and full of ideas, with each Chair supported by a team of volunteers.
It’s spring - time to be more active in your Chapter. If you’d like to join a Committee, great! Check out the back of this newsletter for the appropriate contact name/number. Volunteer activities can be tailored to fit your schedule, an hour a week or an hour a month. The AWIS Committees offer you a place to practice leadership, to work with a group to put your ideas into action. It can be exhilarating and fun. You may have noticed that many recent Chapter programs have a biotech or business slant to them. That reflects our current volunteer pool. If you are a chemist, physicist, engineer, or mathematician, and you feel your discipline hasn’t been sharing the limelight... The best way to serve your special interests is to be an active member of AWIS. Join in and suggest names of speakers, and help us create meetings and activities that interest you. We welcome all new hands, hearts, and ideas. Thank you all very much.
From Marie Curie to Florence Nightingale, Rosalind Franklin to Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, women have played a vital part in the advancement of our understanding of science and medicine. HMS Beagle, the award-winning BioMedNet magazine that provides up-to-date news and in-depth analysis of the most important issues in biology and medicine, is pleased to celebrate the occasion with two features highlighting women's often-underestimated role in science.
In Issue 49 (publication date March 5, 1999, http://www.biomednet.com/hmsbeagle/49/recrom/topten.htm), HMS Beagle's new 'Top Ten' page will be devoted to women who have achieved the pinnacle of the scientific world - Nobel laureates.
In this fast, mobile Silicon valley community, it is difficult to keep up with our members and prospects that are on the move. When we e-mail meeting notices, a few are returned due to incorrect or obsolete addresses. With the new membership database, it is possible to flag them with the click of a button. Starting with this newsletter mailing, we are planning on affixing an attention-getting fluorescent label on the appropriate copies, requesting the recipient to provide us with the correct e-mail address. In addition, we are notifying prospects who have been receiving our newsletters for at least six months, and have not yet joined, that this will be their last mailing. We hope this will remind those interested to take steps to join AWIS.
Job Opportunities!
The Stanford DNA Sequencing and Technology Center is seeking a research technician to perform high-throughput DNA sequencing for the Malaria Genome Project. Contact Richard Hyman (hyman@sequence.stanford.edu) or Yvonne Thorstenson (yvonne@sequence. stanford.edu).
MegaBACE Field Application Specialists for Pharmacia Amersham. Genotyping experience is a plus. One position will be based in SF. Four others in Boston, NY/NJ/New Haven, St. Louis, and Houston. Please forward resumes to Chris Rozanas (chris.rozanas@am.apbiotech.com).
Bio-Rad has immediate openings for Tech Service reps in the SF Bay Area. Contact Martha Booz (mlbooz@earthnet.net) or Jessica Shi (Jessica_Shi@bio-rad.com, fax: 510-741-5802). Or, send resumes to Bio-Rad Laboratories, Technical Services, Attention: Jessica Shi, 2000 Alfred Nobel Drive, Hercules, CA 94547.
The Program in Human Biology and Biological Sciences of Stanford University seeks a halftime lecturer for spring quarter. Please send resume and names of two references to Dr. Ellen Porzig, Associate Professor (Teaching), Human Biology, Development Biology, and Molecular Pharmacology, Stanford Medical Center and University, CA 94305-2160 or fax to 650-725-5451. For more information, call 650-725-5449.
The National AWIS web page (http://www.awis.org/html/jobs.html) also has job openings that are updated each Friday.
Networking and Volunteering Opportunities!
The Newsletter Committee is looking for a few volunteers with keen eyesight to proofread the latest newsletters before going to print.Must do email and be able to provide a quick turnaround. Contact Katy at kuokaty@ricochet.net.
WANTED: Webmistress. Maintain chapter web page, post meeting info and updates, in a timely fashion. Work own hours. No html exp necessary. Software allows easy upload of Word files. Contact Susan at bernhas@baxter.com or 510-723-2094.
Making Sign-In Process Lightening Fast!
We are unhappy for leaving you out in the cold at the door for minutes when you try to sign in at the meetings. We have programmed the sign in process in our new membership database and are ready to automatically print the name tags and SLAC form info from the computer. Now all we need is a notebook computer (at least a 486, running Windows 95 with at least 50 MB drive) to make this process lightening fast. Can you donate an old notebook for one night per month or have your company donate one to us? - If you're able to help on a short-term loan, contact Kay at kbrown@PremierBiosoft.com.
Interested in working with youth and young adults within SF? San Francisco Conservation Corps ECO Center is looking for volunteers as Journalism Project Assistant, Tutors (math, science, and the language arts), Support Services Assistant, and Workshop Trainers. If interested, please contact Ryan Fricke, Volunteer Coordinator for the SFCC ECO Center (415-920-7171 x 305 or VISTA@ ecosfcc.org).
Read any good books over the winter storms? Send reviews for future newsletter issues of science-related books to kuokaty@ricochet.net.
Of Interest…
The Feb 12th issue of Science vol. 283, no.5404, has a Women In Science article (p.1007) which features a 'big picture' interview with Kitty Didion from National AWIS.
USA TODAY's web site had a news report on the progress women have made during the 20th century. Several reports were linked here covering various aspects of the advancements women have made and the struggles that still remain. Visit at www.usatoday.com/bestbets/bbwed/woman1.htm.
Baxter's Work and Life Initiatives have won high honors from Catalyst, a non-profit organization that addresses women's workplace issues and works with businesses to advance women into leadership roles.
The 1999 Catalyst Award recognizes three companies: Baxter, Corning Inc., and TD Bank Financial Group - for implementing effective initiatives that increase women's representation in senior management.
Since 1996, the number of women at Baxter increased 8 percent at the manager level,18 percent at the director level, and nearly 30 percent at the vice president level. The percentage of employees using alternative work arrangements doubled to approximately 14 percent.
Panelists:
Cherrill Spencer, Ph.D.: Mechanical Engineer - Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
Susan K. McConnell, Ph.D.: Assoc. Professor - Neuroscience, Stanford University
Fiona A. Harding, Ph.D.: Senior Scientist - Immunology, Genencor International
Janet Carminati, Ph.D.: Scientist - Molecular Biology, Deltagen Inc.
Tuesday, March 16, 1999 7 - 9 PM
Genencor International
California Technology Center
925 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto
Schedule:
7:00 - 7:30 pm Networking and light supper
7:30 - 7:45 pm Announcements
7:45 - 8:45 pm Program
8:45 - 9:00 pm Coffee / Tea and Discussion
Welcome!! The meeting is free. You do not have to be a member to attend. All scientists, students, and their friends are welcome. Men too!!
Directions to Genencor:
From Hwy 280, take the Page Mill Road exit. Turn EAST on to Page Mill Road. Proceed on
Page Mill Road for approximately 2.5-3 miles. Genencor is located two blocks west of El
Camino Real on Page Mill Road. It will be on the right-hand side of the street. The cross
street is Hansen Way. Parking lots are located at the front of the building and along the
east and backside of the building.
From Hwy 101, take Oregon Expressway exit (WEST). Merge onto Oregon Expressway and proceed for approximately 2.0 miles. You will cross El Camino Real- at which point Oregon Expressway becomes Page Mill Road. Continue on Page Mill Road for two blocks. Genencor will be on the left-hand side of the street. The cross street is Hansen Way. Parking lots are located at the front of the building and along the east and backside of the building.
Local: From Stanford Shopping Center, travel south on El Camino Real about 2 miles to the intersection with Page Mill Road. Turn right on Page Mill Road, and proceed to the second stop light. Turn left into the Genencor driveway. From Stanford campus, follow Campus Drive West to Junipero Serra, and head south about 2 miles to the intersection with Page Mill Road. Turn left onto Page Mill Road, and proceed down the hill through several traffic signals almost to El Camino Real. Genencor will be on your right at 925 Page Mill Road.
Contact: Susan at bernhas@baxter.com (510-723-2094) or Krista at kbowman@ axyspharm.com (650-829-1290) for more information.
The Annual Recognition Awards Banquet is an opportunity to honor some outstanding women scientists who live and work in Northern California. It attracts about 125 women from all four local AWIS chapters. The very special program features AWIS Scholarship Awards, the Judith Poole Award and the Ellen Weaver Award. AWIS members and our corporate sponsors make nominations for these awards. Past recipients have come from both academia and industry. The awardees receive recognition for a part of their lives that has been personally important to them and often goes unrecognized as an valuable part of being a professional, a teacher, and a human being. Everyone is encouraged to nominate someone they know who deserves this special recognition.
Scholarship awards are also presented to several local junior college students to encourage them in their choice of a science career. The Palo Alto chapter selects two recipients annually from either DeAnza or Foothill Colleges. Each receives a $500 award that can be used for tuition or books. The east bay chapter presents scholarships to reentry women in science attending community colleges in the east bay.
The Judith Poole is awarded to a woman who is well established in her career, who is a recognized expert in her field, and who has also been an exceptional mentor to younger women scientists. In 1998 the Judith Poole award was given to Phyllis Gardner, who works at Stanford and ALZA.
The Ellen Weaver award is given each year to a woman who is more junior in her career, who is an accomplished scientist, and also an advocate for women in science, a volunteer, and role model for others. Last year's recipient was Aurora Sosa from Bayer Corporation.
Recipients of the Judith Poole and Ellen Weaver awards usually give a short acceptance speech. The overall program is short and sweet. The energy is always very positive and we hope you can join us this year. RSVP early to save your place at this fabulous event.
We'd like to applaud Pace Products, Inc.for providing a generous donation of $50 worth of Super Ball making supplies for our recent Young Explorers session. After hearing of our outreach activity, Laurie Jankowsky and Michael Frank offered their products free of charge! Look up what else they have to offer at www.paceplace.com.
"Women give money to education, medicine and science, while men give to the arts. This is counterintuitive," said past AWIS president Jaleh Daie. The comments were made during her opening remarks at a panel discussion on women philanthropists at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Anaheim in January.
Daie went on to say that "women are the ultimate givers," since they live on average seven years longer than men do. The issue of women as philanthropists has gained new importance recently with the rise of a new generation of affluent women. Some of these women are interested in donating to good causes and making a difference, especially in areas of concern to women: health, the environment and under-representation in certain careers.
One panelist at the session gave good advice about asking for donations. "Be patient," said Sara Lee Schupf, the woman for whom Sara Lee Bakery is named. The goal is to build a relationship, find out what the giver's interests are, and match that giver with a science project that she can support. "But it may take a few years," Sara Lee cautioned. AWIS would be wise to start cultivating such relationships that could benefit both the chapters and the national organization in years to come.
The Programs committee has some new faces! We would like to welcome two new members: Fong Yi Bih and Betty Chang. Additionally, Jane Leong is stepping up to a co-chair position. We look forward to their leadership, ideas, and continued support.
We would also like to thank the following members who have recently stepped down from their committee responsibilities: Arti Prasad Roth, Iris Schrijver, Laura Smoliar, and Brenda Wallach. Iris has served several years as Programs Co-Chair. We will greatly miss all of their contributions.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the planning of the monthly programs, please feel free to contact any of the members of the committee for information or email Krista krista_bowman@ axyspharm. com
The first seminar of 1999 on January 26th started off with dinner and a gift raffle in appreciation for the involvement and support of AWIS members. Over 70 gifts were distributed that evening. Many thanks go out to Susan Bernhard, Nevada Blair, Krista Bowman, P.A. Moore, and Arti Roth of the Programs Committee for collecting and wrapping the gifts.
After pizza and the gift raffle, Rivka Sherman-Gold, Director of Business Development at Abgenix Inc. and founder of the Palo Alto AWIS chapter, gave a seminar detailing her responsibilities at the biopharmaceutical company. She compared business opportunities as "frogs that one has to kiss" in order to obtain a "prince", or a business accomplishment. Dr. Gold described her duties humorously and the discussion period was extremely interactive. Many individuals in the audience asked questions regarding many topics including the balance of one’s professional and personal life, the advantages of previous business training and MBA degrees, and the personal attributes a person must have to succeed in business development.
Dr. Gold’s seminar was well attended with over 75 people listening to her talk. The meeting was informative and a lot of fun. We hope to see all you at future seminars.
CaP CURE distributes research grants in the form of Competitive Awards, which provide one-year funding to scientists searching for cures and controls for advanced prostate cancer. Grants cannot be used to pay for institutional overhead or other indirect costs.
The Young Investigator Awards were established in the Spring of 1998 to attract young clinical and scientific investigators to the field of prostate cancer research. The program provides $150,000 over the course of three years to young or first-time researchers beginning to explore the field.
The program is designed to enable young researchers to establish their own labs and secure longer-term funding. Awards cover direct costs only, not institutional overhead or other indirect expenses. All applications are limited to five pages and awards are made within 90 days.
Applications will be accepted August 15th through September 30th of 1999. Proposals should be relevant to advanced prostate cancer. They may focus on basic science, molecular biology, or therapeutics: including gene therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation therapy. Those with near-term applications are preferred. For more information, visit http:// www. capcure. org/ research/ programs. html. Please forward applications to Cyndi Misko, Scientific Policy Manager CaP CURE,1250 4th Street, Suite 360, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (cmisko@capcure.org or 310-458-2873 or fax 310-458-8074).
Women scholars with research interests in the higher education experience of women are invited to apply for a Washington-based American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Foundation Research Scholar-in-Residence Award. The research project must focus on the impact and consequences for women for either of the following topics: technology in particular, distance learning, in higher education and/or economic barriers limiting access to higher education
The Research Scholar-in-Residence will produce a report that will be published by AAUW Educational Foundation. The award requires full-time commitment, and performance of the work primarily in Washington, DC. Depending on professional and academic accomplishments, the Scholar could be considered for a research appointment at American University's School of Education. Applicants must have a doctorate plus at least five years of academic research in women's issues in higher education. A record of scholarly research and publishing is strongly preferred.
Submit a five-page proposal describing the project and report envisioned during the award year. Please include a resume, salary history, salary requirements, names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references by June 1 for research beginning in September1999.
To obtain guidelines required for application, first visit: www.aauw.org, or contact at foundation@ aauw.org. (202-728-7602). Mail to AAUW Educational Foundation Research Scholar-in-Residence Award, 1111 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036.
Business and Finance
Thursday, March 4
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Room N-217, Parnassus Campus, UCSF
Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital
Speakers: James Sabry, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Cytokinetics, Inc.
Russell Hirsch, M.D., Ph.D. Mayfield Fund
Sponsored by UCSF, Office of Technology Management
Graduate Student Luncheon
Friday, March 5
12:00 noon — 1:00 pm
Stanford University Women's Center
Contact Kathy Reynolds Lacey at kdreyn@leland.Stanford.edu for additional information
Women's Initiative Luncheon
Monday, March 8
11:30 am General Reception
12:00 noon Luncheon & Program
Westin St. Francis Hotel, Union Square
335 Powell Street, San Francisco
Featured Speaker: Cokie Roberts, ABC News
To benefit CARE's Micro-Enterprise Programs
Call CARE at 415-781-1585 for registration. Cosponsored by Women's Intercultural Network
JOY OF SCIENCE
Tuesday, March 16
7:00 — 9:00 pm
Genencor International
California Technology Center
The Joy of Science: Successful Women Scientists in Academia and Industry
Cherrill Spencer, Ph.D. - SLAC
Susan K. McConnell, Ph.D - Stanford
Fiona A. Harding, Ph.D - Genencor
Janet Carminati, Ph.D. - Deltagen
Career Tips
Wednesday, March 17, 4:00 pm
Room N-225, Parnassus Campus, UCSF
"Practical Tips for Maximizing Your Career Potential"
Speaker: Gail Schechter, Ph.D., President, BioIntelligence
Sponsored by Women in Life Sciences Mentoring Program
Contact Julie at cargese@itsa.ucsf.edu for more information
Life Sciences Panels
Sponsored by (FWE) the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Hotel Sofitel
223 Twin Dolphin Dr., Redwood Shores
Tuesday, March 16
Launching a Life Sciences Start-Up
Speakers:
Jane Shaw, Ph.D. - Aerogen
Karen Talmadge, Ph.D. - Kyphon
Angela MacFarlane - TransVascular, Inc.
Jeani Delagardelle (moderator)
Weiss, Peck, & Greer Venture Partners
Tuesday, April 13
Bringing a Life Sciences Product to Market
Speakers:
Kate Marshall - Embol-X
Laureen DeBuono - Resound Corp.
Vivian Wohl - Merrill Lynch
Rebecca Robertson (moderator)Institutional Venture Partners
Tuesday, May 4
Viable Business Models in Biotechnology
Speakers:
Lori Rafield - Patricof & Co Ventures Inc.
Janice LeCocq, Ph.D. - Gryphon Sci.
Norma Lynn Fox - Genentech
Deborah Marshall (moderator),
Cooley Godward LLP.
COST: $35 for FWE members, $45 for non-members
Wine and hors díoeuvres will be served
RSVP and contact shiyana@fwe.org or 650-470-0946 for more information http://www.fwe.org
ebAWIS Outreach Meeting
Wednesday, March 17
6:30 pm
Bayer Corp., Berkeley
ebAWIS Outreach supports FIRST (Female Involvement in Real Science and Technology)
It aims to increase the number of girls that choose a career in science through activities
in elementary and middle schools of the Oakland School District
Linda Kekelis, FIRST Project Coordinator
Goals and results of the project FIRST Girls' Science Clubs Present and talk about their
activities
Marlene Wilson, Fruitvale School
Kate Seidl, Thornhill School
Answer questions and explain the importance of scientist involvement Come and take home
tips on how to do Outreach. This will be a fun meeting!
Contact Kitty at kdejong@mail.cho.org for more details
CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
Career Action Center
10420 Bubb Rd., Suite 100, Cupertino
6:30 - 9:30 pm
Thursday, March 18
"Salary Negotiation for Beginners"
Tuesday, March 23
"Looking at the Way You See Things"
To register 408-253-3200 http://www.careeraction.org
COST: $35 CAC Members, $50 non-members
217th ACS National Meeting
Saturday - Thursday, March 21 - 25
Anaheim, CA
Sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS)
Many short courses available. Visit www.acs.org/education/profdev/short.html
for details
Bioscience/Technical Job Fairs
Monday and Tuesday, March 22 & 23
2:00 - 7:00 pm
Doubletree Hotel
2050 Gateway Pl., San Jose
Tuesday, March 30
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Palace Hotel
2 New Montgomery, San Francisco
Stop by the AWIS booth!
Sponsored by Life ScienceAssoc./ Kaplan Career Services
Bring plenty of resumes for on-the-spot interviews. Visit www.bayareajobfair.com or 510-436-3976 for more information
GENDER and SCIENCE
Tuesday, March 23
3:30 - 5:00 pm
Room N617, Parnassus Campus, UCSF
MAKING GENDER MAKING SCIENCE: GENDER AND BOYLE'S LAW OF GASES
Speaker: Elizabeth Potter, Ph.D.
Alice Andrews Quigley Chair of Women's Studies and Professor of Philosophy Mills College
Sponsored by the Women, Health and Healing and Science and Technology Studies Emphases
Graduate Program in Sociology, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF
Contact Adele at aclarke@itsa.ucsf.edu or 415-476-0694 for more information
Eleventh National HIV/AIDS Update Conference
Tuesday - Friday, March 23 -26, S.F.
Partnering Science and Practice
Contact Krebs Convention Management Services at www.nauc.org or krebsconv@aol.com or
415-920-7000
AWIS-PA Mentoring Program
Monday, March 29
7:00 - 9:00pm
Stanford University
Mitchell Earth Science Bldg.
Women of the Manhattan Project
Speaker: Mary Singleton
Lawrence Livermore Natl. Labs
Women's Chemist Committee of ACS
Contact Lisa at lisawang@well.com
Video Documentary
Monday, April 12
7:00 - 9:00pm
Stanford University Women's Center
Asking Different Questions: Women in Science
a video documentary followed by discussion
Contact Lisa at lisawang@well.com for directions
4th Annual Women's Leadership Conference
Saturday, April 17
8:00 am - 4:45 pm
Mills College
Women's Leadership Institute
Continuation and follow-up to the 1995 UN 4th World Conference on Women
Worlds of Difference in the Lives of Women: What divides us? What unites us? Crossing the
borders locally, nationally, globally
Register by March 15
Cost: $50 adult or mother/daughter pairs, $25 college students, $15 students
Includes morning coffee/tea and box lunch
Contact Roxi at roxis@mills.edu or Edna at edna@mills.edu
NCC Awards Banquet
Thursday, April 29
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Genentech, S. San Francisco
Registration flyer on p. 5 & 6
Contact Susan at bernhas@baxter.com or
510-723-2094 for more information
AAUW Mini-Conference
Saturday, May 1
1:00 - 3:30 pm
Foothill College
"Making Technology Work for Girls"
A mini-workshop to be held for parents, girls in grades 4-8, educators and professional
women
Sponsored by American Association for University Women - Palo Alto
Contact Katy at kuokaty@ricochet.net for more
information or if you're interested in participating as a presenter
Spring Symposium
Thursday, May 6
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Oakland Museum
Environmental Concerns in the Bay Area
Six local scientists will be featured speakers on environmental concerns in the Bay Area.
There will be a judged poster session with monetary awards in graduate student,
postdoctoral, and staff scientist categories and a noon career workshop
Sponsored by GETA(Genetic and Environmental Toxicology Association)
Abstract deadline is April 23
Registration fees include a boxed lunch
To register or submit poster abstracts contact Ritchie at ritchief@aol.com or 510-441-0631
Palo Alto Board Meeting
Thursday, May 6
(time and location to be determined)
NAFE Conference
Saturday, May 22
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
San Francisco
1999 National Leadership Convention and Satellite Conference
Nine inspirational speakers
Sponsored by NAFE (National Ass. of Female Executives)
Cost: $59 NAFE Member,$79 non-member
Register at www.nafe.com or 800-285-6233