News
A Common Nasal Decongestant Doesn’t Actually Work. What Should You Use Instead?
Nasal and sinus expert says there are far better and safer alternatives than phenylephrine that are available over the counter.
Collegiate Mental Health
Dr. Sarah Lipson of the BU School of Public Health spoke with staff of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation on current mental health trends for college-aged students, and what policymakers can do to address the situation on Friday, September 15, 2023.
Balancing Budgets by Emptying Bellies: WIC Cuts Would Harm Our Youngest Children
A federal nutrition program that helps millions access healthy food is being threatened by congressional Republicans—here’s why it’s worth saving.
NIH Director, Regulating AI, Empathic Communication
BU IN DC
Provost ad interim Kenneth Lutchen attended the Association of American Universities Chief Academic Officers meeting from September 10th through 12th.
Dean David Chard and Leslie Dietiker of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development attended the LEARN Coalition's fall meeting on September 12th. Dietiker discussed education research with Congressional offices on September 13th.
Woodrow Hartzog of the School of Law testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on regulating artificial intelligence on September 12th.
Maya Steinitz of the School of Law testified before a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on third-party litigation funding on September 13th.
Carl Streed of the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine presented at a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine meeting on sexual orientation and gender identity data collection in electronic medical records on September 14th.
BUZZ BITS...
- Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) announced that the Committee will hold a hearing on Dr. Monica Bertagnolli's nomination to be director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) next month. Sanders had previously delayed her confirmation hearing due to concerns regarding the Biden Administration's approach to addressing drug costs. Dr. Bertagnolli, currently the director of the National Cancer Institute, was nominated in May. The NIH has been without a permanent director since Dr. Francis Collins stepped down at the end of 2021.
- The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a hearing on Thursday on the current science priorities of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm fielded questions from lawmakers regarding the agency's balance between energy research and applied energy in the midst of a constrained budget environment, protecting DOE research from malign foreign influence, and DOE's investments in technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
- Dr. Ceren Susut is the new head of the Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) office at the U.S. Department of Energy. Dr. Susut has worked in ASCR for over 12 years and was serving as its acting director.
CONGRESS EXPLORES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
As artificial intelligence (AI) evolves, Congress is ramping up its efforts to better understand the technology and how it should be regulated.
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) hosted a bipartisan Senate meeting on AI with the executives of major technology companies, labor unions, and civic groups on Wednesday. Schumer plans to host additional AI forums, with the goal of crafting bipartisan legislation to both bolster the technology's development and provide guardrails against misuse.
- On Tuesday, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee examined the need for AI transparency and the Senate Judiciary Committee discussed government oversight of AI.
- Last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the role of the U.S. Department of Energy in accelerating U.S. leadership in AI. The hearing focused on a proposal from the agency to harness the computing power of the national energy laboratories to advance AI research.
- The House Oversight and Accountability Committee examined how federal agencies are utilizing AI at a hearing on Thursday. Lawmakers heard from the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, as well as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Office of Research and BU Public Relations | Social Media are hosting the first strategic communications workshop of the academic year on September 21st at 2 p.m. Communication specialists from the Alan Alda Center will lead an immersive, virtual workshop designed to empower faculty members and researchers with the art of responsive listening and empathic communication. In this interactive session, participants will delve into the transformative world of communication techniques that foster trust and ignite meaningful engagement within the realm of science.
Veteran Auto Industry Reporter, and COM Alum, on the Historic Auto Workers Strike
Neal Boudette parses the first-ever simultaneous walkout on the Big Three.
Unsuitable Litigation: Oversight of Third-Party Litigation Funding
Professor Maya Steinitz from the BU School of Law testifies before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on third-party litigation funding on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.
Regulating Artificial Intelligence
Professor Woodrow Hartzog from the BU School of Law testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding regulating artificial intelligence on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
White House Adviser, Misinformation, Freshman
BU IN DC
After a Year in the White House, Nahid Bhadelia Shares Lessons about Pandemic Response
BU infectious diseases physician Nahid Bhadelia has returned to the University after helping lead the Biden Administration's COVID-19 pandemic response and advising on preparing the world for future outbreaks.
FACULTY EXPERT
Joan Donovan, Nationally Recognized Expert in Misinformation, Joins BU Faculty
The renowned social scientist plans to build an "internet observatory" of politicians' online posts at the BU College of Communication.
STUDENT LIFE
Meet One of BU's Newest Terriers: Mohamed Mohamed
The Somali-American transfer student from Bunker Hill Community College had to learn how to advocate for himself to succeed.
THOUGHT LEADERS
In Case You Missed It...
Shlomi Hod of the BU College of Arts & Sciences led a workshop for Senate staffers on the responsible use of artificial intelligence on August 7th and 8th... Deborah Carr and Ian Sue Wing of the BU College of Arts & Sciences discuss whether extreme heat might alter where older adults choose to retire in CNN... The National Science Foundation highlighted research by BU computer engineer Yannis Paschalidis that uses artificial intelligence to help physicians find the right medication for heart disease patients... The National Institutes of Health funded a study by BU pathologist Ann McKee that found that young amateur athletes who play contact sports are at risk for the brain disease CTE... BU School of Hospitality Dean Arun Upneja interviews leaders in the hospitality profession for his Distinguished podcast.
Biden Science Priorities, NIAID Director, Legacy Admissions
BU IN DC
Nathan Jones of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development began his term as commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research within the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education on August 28th.
Nicole Huberfeld of the School of Law moderated the third installment of a National Cancer Policy Forum webinar series on access to reproductive health services in the context of cancer care on August 31st.
WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES SCIENCE PRIORITIES
In August, the Biden Administration released its annual memorandum for multi-agency research and development priorities to guide science agencies as they develop their fiscal year (FY) 2025 budgets. New additions in this year's guidance include trustworthy artificial intelligence and recognizing research as an economic driver. The Administration's guidance continues to prioritize health equity, the Cancer Moonshot, addressing climate change, and promoting equity and diversity in STEM. With funding levels for FY25 constrained under budgetary caps set in the Fiscal Responsibility Act (Public Law 118-5), the priorities in the memo are an indication of what areas may see new investments or small funding increases in the year ahead.
NEW PERSONNEL JOIN SCIENCE, CULTURAL AGENCIES
Last month, several federal agencies important to university researchers announced the arrival of new personnel. The new agency officials include:
- Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo will start this fall as the new director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Marrazzo will be NIAID's first new director in over three decades following the retirement of Dr. Anthony Fauci last December. She is currently the director of the Division of Infectious Diseases of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
- Dr. Patricia A. Areán will be the new division director of services and intervention research at the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Areán earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from BU; she most recently was a psychiatry professor at the University of Washington.
- Dr. Denise Caldwell will serve as interim director of the Math and Physical Sciences Directorate (MPS) at the National Science Foundation (NSF), beginning in October. She will replace MPS Assistant Director Sean Jones who will step down to become deputy laboratory director at the Argonne National Laboratory after 14 years at NSF.
- Ms. Jennie Tse is assistant chair for partnerships and strategic initiatives at the National Endowment for the Humanities. Ms. Tse previously worked for the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
BUZZ BITS...
- On August 14th, the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Justice jointly released new guidance for universities in the wake the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on race-conscious admissions. The agencies outline how colleges can continue to admit, support, and retain a racially diverse student body. ED also plans to release a report on promising practices that universities can utilize to create inclusive and diverse student bodies this month.
- Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren (D) and Edward Markey (D), along with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), sent a letter last month to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona requesting that the Department of Education help "end preferential treatment given to children of alumni — legacy admissions — and donors." The Senators expressed concern that such admissions preferences will exacerbate inequities and urged Cardona to investigate complaints regarding legacy admissions and withhold federal funding to schools that employ the practice.
- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has released a Request for Information (RFI) asking for feedback on potential new policies governing the oversight of research involving pathogens and toxins. The RFI builds on a March report by the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity which recommended a more expansive, risk-based approach to federal oversight of research with potentially risky pathogens. Responses are due by October 16th.