News
Research Security, OSTP Director, Dimensions
BU IN DC
Joyce Wong of the College of Engineering attended a meeting of the National Advisory Council for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, of which she is a member, on September 13th.
Jessica Stern of the Pardee School of Global Studies attended the White House United We Stand Summit on countering "hate-fueled violence" on September 15th.
Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs Daniel Kleinman and Simone Gill of Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences spoke on a panel during a meeting of the Association of Graduate Schools from September 18th through 20th.
Nathan Jones of Wheelock College of Education & Human Development spoke at a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine symposium on equity-oriented education research on September 20th.
SENATORS DISCUSS RESEARCH SECURITY MEASURES
On Thursday, the Senate Intelligence Committee held a hearing on protecting federally-funded science from malign foreign influence. Witnesses with experience working in government, industry, and academia spoke about the steps each sector is taking to prevent the misuse of federally-supported research and technologies by adversarial countries. Dr. Kevin Gamache, associate vice chancellor and chief research security officer for the Texas A&M University System, credited the federal government with prompting universities to implement policies and procedures that require faculty to disclose collaborations with peers overseas. When questioned about why universities have been slow to implement research security protocols, Dr. Gamache noted that the wide range of capabilities and resources at different institutions impacts progress. He further emphasized that it is important to properly calibrate the balance between security and open collaboration in order to maintain U.S. scientific leadership.
WHITE HOUSE SCIENCE OFFICE TAKES ACTION
- On Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Arati Prabhakar as the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) by a 56-40 vote. Prabhakar, who will also serve as President Joe Biden's science adviser, previously led the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency during the Obama Administration. Biden nominated her in June.
- OSTP is soliciting public input on a federal evidence agenda for LGBTQI+ equity. OSTP is seeking feedback on the barriers to collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity and how to protect privacy while also advancing civil rights among the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex community. Responses are due by October 3rd.
- OSTP is also seeking input on a draft national microelectronics research strategy, which will inform how research agencies prioritize investments. The agency is seeking feedback regarding microelectronics workforce development and the areas that are ready for rapid deployment to industry. The deadline to respond is October 17th.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The BU Office of Research will host a webinar covering the basics of Dimensions, an online publication database with a wide range of metrics and highly customizable search interface that allows for detailed investigations into a topic, author, or institution. Dimensions can assist researchers in identifying emerging trends and pinpointing underrepresented areas of research, deciding where to publish research findings, and comparing journals, funders, authors, and research institutions. The webinar will be held on October 6th at 1:00 pm.
US State Department Partners with Pardee School of Global Studies to Empower Afghan Women
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announces the public-private alliance as Taliban curtails female education, prohibits women from the workplace.
Sargent College Dean Christopher Moore Will Retire at the End of the Academic Year
Credited with raising the college’s national profile, he plans to return to the Pacific Northwest.
ARPA-H Director, NASA Science, Brain Health and Recovery
BU IN DC
Dean David Chard of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development discussed education research with Congressional and federal agency staff during the fall meeting of the LEARN Coalition on September 13th.
Mary Churchill of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development attended a meeting of the American Council on Education Women's Network Executive Council on September 14th and 15th.
Deborah Douglas of the Center for Antiracist Research participated in a National Press Club panel on women's voices in the media on September 13th.
BIDEN APPOINTS ARPA-H DIRECTOR, UNVEILS BIOTECH INITIATIVE
During an appearance in Boston on Monday, President Joe Biden announced he will appoint Dr. Renee Wegrzyn as the inaugural director of the recently launched Advanced Research Projects Agency - Health. Dr. Wegrzyn previously worked at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency; she is currently an executive with Ginkgo Bioworks. The President also unveiled the launch of a national biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiative. Among other activities, the new initiative "directs Federal agencies to identify priority R&D needs to translate bioscience and biotechnology discoveries into medical breakthroughs, climate change solutions, food and agricultural innovation, and stronger U.S. supply chains."
NEW SCIENCE LEADERS FOR NASA, NOAA, DHS
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on Tuesday that Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen will step down as associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate at the end of the year. Dr. Zurbuchen is a physicist who has overseen science programs at NASA for the last six years. The agency is planning a nationwide search for his replacement.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced last week that Dr. Steve Thur will be the next leader of NOAA's research office. Dr. Thur is an expert in coastal science and management who has worked in a variety of roles at NOAA for over two decades. He will start his new role in October.
- Last week, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov as undersecretary for science and technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Kusnezov is a theoretical physicist who previously worked at the U.S. Department of Energy.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Office of Research's popular Research on Tap series is back, bringing BU scholars together for microtalks on their research. The first installment of the semester, entitled "Neuromonitoring Brain Health and Recovery," will be hosted by Dr. Swathi Kiran of Sargent College and held on Wednesday, September 21st at 3:30 pm in the Kilachand Center. Faculty from medicine, engineering, and psychological & brain sciences will discuss interdisciplinary work that links brain and behavioral data with state-of-the-art computing methods to develop models for precision medicine in neurological disease. Faculty will be able to connect with potential research collaborators during a reception following the presentations.
Nancy J. Sullivan, Ebola Vaccine and Treatment Pioneer, Named New NEIDL Director
Says priorities will include global engagement, strong science, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
BU Supports 2022 Boston Public Schools Graduates
Meet some of this year’s Menino Scholars and Community Service Award recipients.
The Computing and Information Science and Engineering Landscape: A Look Forward
The United States National Science Foundation (NSF) supports a majority of US academic research in the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) topic areas. On Monday, September 12, 2022, researcher and leader of the NSF CISE directorate, Dr. Margaret Martonosi discussed key themes for the field, how CISE is developing programmatic opportunities to advance research related to them, and also how CISE invests in cross-cutting people issues for the field as well. She conducted a series of virtual and in-person campus visits to engage in conversation about a vision for CISE research going forward, and to field questions from the CISE community.
Read the BRINK's Q&A with Dr. Martonosi - September 7, 2022
Registration | Event Information - September 12, 2022
President to Retire, Racism and Substance Use, Stifling Creativity
ON THE CHARLES RIVER
Robert A. Brown, BU's 10th President, Stepping Down After 2022-2023 School Year
His 17-year legacy includes dramatic growth in sponsored research, a more diverse student body and faculty, a campus that proudly embraces its relationship with Boston, and a clear path for the future.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
How Racism and Bias Influence Substance Use and Addiction Treatment
Christina Lee of the BU School of Social Work calls substance use treatment a social justice issue and is helping healthcare providers see the connection between discrimination and drinking.
FACULTY EXPERT
Are Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks Stifling Creativity and Progress?
Intellectual property scholar Jessica Silbey argues laws haven’t kept pace with the digital era and are enriching individuals and corporations at the expense of society, equality, and innovation.
THOUGHT LEADERS
In Case You Missed It...
Georgetown Africa scholar Scott Taylor was named the new dean of the BU Pardee School of Global Studies... Andrew Stokes, Dielle Lundberg, and Rafeya Raquib of the BU School of Public Health discuss how racial disparities in booster uptake are a key factor in COVID-related deaths in The Conversation... President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint BU alumnus Michael Trager (LAW '85) to serve on the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board... Kevin Gallagher of the BU Global Development Policy Center explains why excessive IMF fees for war-torn countries like Ukraine impede their economic recovery in The Associated Press.
Open Access, Biden Appointees, NSF Computing Event
BU IN DC
Sarah Ketchen Lipson of the School of Public Health participated in an American Council on Education roundtable on mental health in higher education with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy on August 30th.
President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint BU alumnus Michael Trager (LAW '85) to serve on the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board on August 19th.
WHITE HOUSE ACTS ON LOAN FORGIVENESS, OPEN ACCESS
While Beltway BUzz was on hiatus last month, the Biden Administration used its executive authority to issue two significant policy changes.
- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced it will require open access to federally funded research results by 2025. The new directive replaces a 2013 policy that allowed a one-year embargo on publications featuring the results of federally-funded research. Research agencies are currently working on new guidelines for how grantees can comply with the new open access policy.
- The U.S. Department of Education announced a one-time student debt forgiveness plan that allows borrowers earning less than $125,000 to have a portion of their federal student loans forgiven. Borrowers who were eligible for Pell Grants while in school are eligible for $20,000 in debt forgiveness, while others can have $10,000 forgiven. The Administration plans to release an online form with more details in October.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FILLS MORE SCIENCE SLOTS
- President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint Dr. Monica Bertagnolli as the director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bertagnolli is a surgical oncologist affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Her NCI appointment is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
- The National Science Foundation (NSF) selected Dr. James L. Moore as assistant director of NSF's Education and Human Resources Directorate; he began his new role on August 22nd. Dr. Moore is an education researcher who previously served as vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at the Ohio State University.
- Dr. David Applegate was sworn in as director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) last month. Dr. Applegate is a geologist who has served in a variety of roles at USGS since 2004; he earned his doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Office of Research and Federal Relations are hosting Dr. Margaret Martonosi, assistant director of the National Science Foundation's Computing and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate, for an in-person event on Monday, September 12th at 3:00 pm. Dr. Martonosi will discuss key priorities for the field, how CISE is developing programmatic opportunities to advance research, and how NSF invests in multidisciplinary projects. Following her talk, Dr. Martonosi will field questions from the audience.