News
Climate and Health Research, Title IX, Convergence Accelerators
BU IN DC
Robert Hefner of the Pardee School of Global Studies spoke at a U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom event on democracy and religious freedom on December 7th.
Associate Provost for Computing & Data Sciences Azer Bestavros, Dean David Chard and Nathan Jones of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, and Mayank Varia of the College of Arts & Sciences discussed the confluence of data science and education research with officials at the Institute of Education Sciences on December 15th.
NIH APPROVES CLIMATE AND HEALTH INITIATIVE
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) held a special meeting of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) advisory council last month to present a formal framework for NIH’s new Climate Change and Health (CCH) Initiative. NIEHS staff presented a concept clearance framing four core tenets of the CCH Initiative:
- Health effects research of climate change influences on health outcomes and vulnerability risks across the lifespan;
- Health equity awareness to assess and respond to the needs of populations most at risk of climate change health impacts;
- Intervention research to prevent disease and disability and promote health and resilience; and
- Training and capacity-building for scientists and community members to translate findings and facilitate understanding of climate change effects on health
While NIEHS will play a leading role in organizing the program, the CCH Initiative will be an NIH-wide effort, reflecting the complexity and wide-ranging impacts of climate change on human health.
BUZZ BITS...
- The U.S. Department of Education announced last week that it plans to propose new Title IX rules prohibiting gender discrimination in educational settings in April 2022, accelerating its previously announced timeline by one month. The Department held a series of listening sessions on sexual harassment and campus safety in June 2021.
- The Department of Education also announced plans to improve customer service for borrowers under the federal student loan programs by creating a single portal for Direct Loan borrowers and reducing paperwork for Public Service Loan Forgiveness applicants. The announcement is part of a series of "customer experience improve commitments" planned by the Biden Administration at 17 federal agencies.
- Dr. Liza Bundesen has been installed as deputy director of extramural research at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bundesen is a neuroscientist who has held a series of science policy roles at NIH since 2006.
NSF SOLICITS ACCELERATOR TOPICS
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking input on potential tracks for its next Convergence Accelerator competition, which is anticipated to be released in fiscal year 2023. The NSF Convergence Accelerator program utilizes “user-inspired convergence research” to address national priorities and facilitate collaboration around “exploratory, potentially high-risk proposals addressing selected convergent research topics.” Responses are due via an online questionnaire by February 28, 2022.
A Note To Our Readers: Beltway BUzz will take a break for Intersession.
We wish you happy holidays and will see you in the New Year!
NIH Leader, Defense Research, Alzheimer’s Research
BU IN DC
Associate Provost for Computing & Data Sciences Azer Bestavros attended a virtual meeting of the National Science Foundation’s Computer & Information Science & Engineering Advisory Committee, of which he is a member, on December 6th and 7th.
Nahid Bhadelia of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy & Research participated in a telephone town hall meeting hosted by Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL) (CAS '70) on December 7th.
Jorge Heine of the Pardee School of Global Studies spoke on a panel addressing governance challenges in Haiti hosted by The Wilson Center on December 8th.
BUZZ BITS...
- On Thursday, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that Principal Deputy Director Lawrence Tabak will serve as acting director of NIH after Director Francis Collins steps down on December 19th. Tabak has been at the NIH for more than two decades. The Biden Administration is expected to announce a nominee to permanently lead the NIH before the end of the year.
- The National Space Council unveiled a U.S. space priorities framework on December 1st, at the body's first meeting under the leadership of the Biden Administration. Many of the priorities are unchanged from the previous administration, but the framework places new emphasis on combating climate change and expanding STEM education.
- On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Rachael Rollins as U.S. attorney for Massachusetts. She will be the first Black woman to hold the role. Ms. Rollins is currently the district attorney for Suffolk County in Massachusetts.
HOUSE APPROVES DEFENSE POLICY BILL
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Tuesday, a bill that would set next year’s priorities for the Department of Defense (DOD). The bill authorizes additional support for biotechnology for challenging environments, artificial intelligence and digital technology, a second iteration of the electronics resurgence initiative, and a national network for microelectronics research and development. The measure would also bolster DOD's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Programs and its Minerva Initiative, which funds social science research. Prior to House passage, legislators removed provisions related to malign foreign influence in research, such as a proposal to require research security training for all personnel funded by Defense grants. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass the bill and send it to President Joe Biden for approval before the end of the year.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
Interested in funding to support dementia research? The Office of Research and Foundation Relations are hosting a virtual workshop for BU investigators with the Alzheimer's Association on Thursday, December 16th at 12 p.m. The Alzheimer’s Association supports research across the spectrum of dementia science, including projects that advance our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, identify new treatment strategies, improve care and support for people with dementia and their families, and further knowledge of brain health and disease prevention. This workshop will help acquaint researchers at BU with the Association’s mission, funding priorities, programs, and grant application protocols.
Behavioral and Social Sciences at NIH
NIH Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Bill Riley addressed the BU community on December 8, 2021.
JFK Sculpture, Data Science, Vaccine Origin
BU IN DC
Kennedy Center Unveils Sculpture by Alumnus Ivan Schwartz
Ivan Schwartz (CFA '73) sculpts U.S. history's most famous figures, from President Abraham Lincoln to Harriet Tubman. The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts commissioned his latest piece, a sculpture of President John F. Kennedy, in honor of the Washington venue's 50th anniversary celebration.
ON THE CHARLES RIVER
The Future of Data Science is Here
Data and mathematical science occupations are projected to grow more than 30 percent by 2030, and BU is ready with a new state-of-the-art building, new faculty, and a new major.
Download the data on our future
NOTABLE ALUMNI
How Scientists Developed the Revolutionary mRNA Technology inside COVID Vaccines
It all started with a chance encounter between BU alumnus Drew Weissman (MED '87, GRS '87) and Katalin Karikó.
THOUGHT LEADERS
In Case You Missed It...
The New York Times Magazine highlighted the sophisticated security measures at the BU National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories... The BU Initiative on Cities 2021 Menino Survey of Mayors found mayors are concerned about constituents' mental health and students' lost class time due to the pandemic... Jonathan Feingold of the BU School of Law explains why critics of critical race theory are actually enacting laws to support it in The Conversation... Sandra Polaski of the BU Global Development Policy Center says that the COVID pandemic is teaching hard lessons on trade policy in The Hill... James Bessen of the BU School of Law weighs in on the benefits and limits of automated writing technologies in The Washington Post.
Energy Research, Microelectronics, Social Science at NIH
Last week, the Biden Administration continued to expand its team:
- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced Dr. Sally Benson as its deputy director for energy and chief strategist for the energy transition. Dr. Costa Samaras will be principal assistant director for energy and chief advisor for energy policy. Dr. Benson is a Stanford University earth scientist and engineer and Dr. Samaras is an engineer and public policy scholar at Carnegie Mellon University.
- The U.S. Senate confirmed Lee Satterfield as assistant secretary of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Ms. Satterfield had previously worked for the Bureau, which oversees educational and professional exchange programs, in the Obama Administration
- President Joe Biden announced his intent last week to nominate Shalanda Young as director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees the President’s Budget Request and federal regulations. Ms. Young is currently OMB's deputy director and has been serving as acting director since March.
BUZZ BITS...
- Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a continuing resolution (CR) yesterday that will keep the government operating at its current funding level through February 18, 2022, more than four months after the October 1st start of the federal fiscal year. Federal agencies operating under a CR generally reduce grant awards and postpone starting new activities until a final budget is signed into law.
- The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held two hearings this week: one reviewing the recently released astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey and the other on ensuring American leadership in microelectronics. During the decadal survey hearing, the report's co-chairs fielded questions regarding potential cost overruns for large missions and the National Science Foundation's ability to support both astronomy facilities and individual grants. During the microelectronics hearing, leaders from industry and academia urged legislators to aggressively restore U.S. support for semiconductor research and manufacturing.
- The longtime Democratic leader of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee plans to retire from Congress at the end of her current term. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) has been a strong advocate for NASA, STEM education, and broadening participation in science during her nearly 30 years of service.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The BU Office of Research is hosting a virtual workshop on "Behavioral and Social Sciences at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Implications for Public Health" on December 8th at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Bill Riley, director of the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), will explain how NIH determines behavioral and social science priorities and how researchers can engage with OBSSR. He will also highlight the behavioral and social sciences research funded by the NIH, particularly with regards to public health topics such as COVID-19, structural racism, and firearms violence prevention.
First Gen, STEM Pathways, Transgender Voices
STUDENT LIFE
Brianna Bourne's Journey from Mattapan to Latin Academy to Comm Ave
More than 18% of BU's entering undergraduate students are the first in their family to attend college. Brianna Bourne (CAS '24) shares her experience as one of BU's first-generation students.
Follow her journey
COMMUNITY RESOURCE
Building the Pipeline to Get Black, Hispanic Youth into STEM Careers
Support from the National Science Foundation boosts a partnership between Roxbury-based nonprofit Sociedad Latina and BU aimed at creating a more diverse workforce in science, technology, engineering, and other fields.
Glimpse the future
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
How Does Testosterone Therapy Change the Voices of Transgender Men?
A first-of-its-kind NIH grant will fund new research into this poorly understood but commonly used hormone therapy.
THOUGHT LEADERS
In Case You Missed It...
Nahid Bhadelia of the BU Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy & Research warns that the U.S. is losing ground against previously defeated infectious diseases in The Washington Post... Muhammad Zaman of the BU Initiative on Forced Displacement worries about the plight of climate refugees with National Public Radio... Jetson Leder-Luis of the BU Questrom School of Business explains how the bipartisan infrastructure bill could be a target for fraud in The Conversation... Bloomberg highlights BU Global Development Policy Centerresearch on the significance of China's pledge to stop building coal-fired power plants.
DOE Science Chief, Antiracist Data Science, DARPA
BU IN DC
Rachel Rojas (COM '94) was named the assistant director of the Insider Threat Office at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters on November 10th.
Heidi Peltier of the College of Arts & Sciences spoke at a George Washington University virtual conference on the costs and consequences of war on November 18th.
BUZZ BITS...
- The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Geraldine Richmond as the next undersecretary of science and energy at the U.S. Department of Energy on November 5th. Dr. Richmond joins the Biden Administration from the University of Oregon, where she was a professor of chemistry. She is a National Medal of Science recipient and previously served on the National Science Board.
- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is soliciting input on creating a "bill of rights" for an automated society, with comments due by January 15th. OSTP is also holding two listening sessions and six public events in November to gather information on how to ensure that artificial intelligence and other data-driven technologies abide by American values.
- This morning, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Build Back Better Act, the $1.75 trillion social spending bill that includes a $550 increase for the maximum Pell Grant award and $3.5 billion for research at the National Science Foundation. The measure passed by a vote of 220-213, paving the way for House and Senate Democrats to negotiate a final bill to send to the President for signature.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The BU Office of Research's next Research on Tap will focus on "Data Science for Racial Equity" and take place on November 30th at 4 p.m. in the Kilachand Colloquium Room. The event is cohosted by Azer Bestavros of the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences and Ibram X. Kendi of the Center for Antiracist Research. The session will feature BU data scientists engaged in research that uncovers racial inequity in a variety of contexts and provides a data-driven pathway to an equitable society. Come to this in-person event to learn from your colleagues and meet potential research collaborators.
GRANTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Information Innovation Office (I2O) released a Broad Agency Announcement last month seeking “revolutionary research ideas” on topics not currently addressed by I2O programs and solicitations. The solicitation requests research on unconventional practices that could advance software science, technology, or systems within I2O's four “thrust” areas: proficient artificial intelligence, advantages in cyber operations, confidence in the information domain, and resilient, adaptable, and secure systems. Proposers may submit an application outside of these topics if it includes the development of innovative software capabilities. DARPA cautions that proposals should not focus on merely "evolutionary improvements" to existing practices.
Justice League, STEM Pathways, Opioid Dependence
FACULTY EXPERTS
This Squad of Researchers Is a Real-Life Justice League
BU scientists from a range of disciplines are advocating for new policies to protect the world's most vulnerable people from the consequences of climate change.
Meet these environmental superheroes
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
For Knee Replacements, Physical Therapy Reduces Risk of Chronic Opioid Use
BU researchers find even low levels of physical therapy before or after surgery can lower the odds of opioid dependence.
Learn about the future of pain management
COMMUNITY RESOURCE
Jump-Starting Biotechnology Careers for Boston High School Students
A new STEM outreach program, led by BU Professor Doug Densmore and funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, will introduce underserved students to the emerging field of synthetic biology.
THOUGHT LEADERS
In Case You Missed It...
POLITICO highlighted the BU basketball career of Assistant to the President and Director of Oval Office Operations Annie Tomasini (CAS '02)... Julia Raifman, Will Raderman, and Alexandra Skinner of the BU School of Public Health argue that paid leave policies benefit business and employees in Health Affairs... The Washington Post reports that a study coauthored by Lucy Hutyra of the BU College of Arts & Sciences warns that methane leaks in Boston are dangerously underreported... Michael Woldemariam of the BU Pardee School of Global Studies explains the military coup in Sudan in Vox... Monica Wang of the BU School of Public Health says health equity must be a priority in distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to children in The Boston Globe.
Build Back Better, Chief Data Scientist, Pitching Your Research
BU IN DC
School of Public Health Dean Sandro Galea delivered a book talk at a hybrid event hosted by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health and the Pulitzer Center on November 2nd.
Rena Conti of the Questrom School of Business moderated a panel during the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Industry Day on November 3rd.
PELL, NSF INCREASES NEARING A VOTE
The U.S. House of Representatives is poised to vote today on a revised budget reconciliation bill that reflects ongoing negotiations between the White House and Democratic lawmakers on President Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda. The $1.75 trillion bill would provide $3.5 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), down from the $11 billion approved by the House this summer, with roughly half of the funds dedicated to a new NSF technology directorate. The new bill also includes a $550 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award for low-income students, $50 more than the original House-passed proposal. Funding for both fusion energy and climate research are proposed in the new bill, but previous proposals to create an Advanced Research Projects Agency - Health (ARPA-H) and ameliorate the endowment excise tax for certain colleges were both removed. Congressional Democrats anticipate making additional changes as they work to send the bill to the President by Thanksgiving.
BUZZ BITS...
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft strategic plan for 2022-2026, which includes new climate and environmental justice strategic goals. The agency is seeking feedback from stakeholders, including the academic community, through November 12th. The final plan will be submitted to Congress in February 2022.
- Denice W. Ross has joined the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as the U.S. Chief Data Scientist. Ms. Ross previously worked at several think tanks and co-led the Obama Administration's Police Data Initiative.
- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the White House Council on Environmental Quality convened the Biden Administration's first Ocean Policy Committee meeting last week. The Committee discussed developing a climate mitigation action plan for oceans and a strategic oceans science and technology plan.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
Join the BU Office of Research and BU Public Relations | Social Media for a virtual "Strategic Communications: Pitching and Writing Workshop with The Conversation" on Wednesday, November 17th at 3 p.m. Michelle McAdams of The Conversationwill talk with researchers of all disciplines about the best practices for pitching, drafting, and placement for a variety of media outlets. McAdams will also highlight how to take advantage of The Conversation, an influential media outlet that publishes content exclusively from academics and researchers, and work most effectively with its editorial staff.
A Note To Our Readers: Beltway BUzz will not publish next week due to the Veterans Day holiday.
USPTO, Social & Behavioral Research, Nelson Foundation
BU IN DC
President Robert A. Brown attended the fall membership meeting of the Association of American Universities between October 24th and 26th.
Daniel Segrè of the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Engineering gave a talk at a meeting of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Biological and Environmental Research Advisory Committee, of which he is a member, on October 22nd.
BUZZ BITS...
- On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Kathi Vidal as director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Vidal is a long-time patent lawyer who has worked to diversify technology and legal professions.
- President Biden also announced his intent to nominate Gigi Sohn (COM '83) as a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates telecommunications. If confirmed, Sohn would be the first openly LGBTQ commissioner in FCC history.
- The National Institutes of Health announced Dr. Dorit Zuk will be deputy director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Dr. Zuk is a molecular biologist who has served as NIGMS's acting deputy director since November 2020.
GRANTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
Are you searching for research support in the social and behavioral sciences or the humanities? BU Federal Relations recently posted online an updated version of the popular Lewis-Burke Associates compendium of federal funding opportunities in the behavioral and social sciences, arts, and humanities. The document provides detailed information on research support available from a range of federal agencies and programs, including the National Science Foundation, Department of Justice, Department of Education, and National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities.
EVENTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Office of Research and Foundation Relations are hosting a virtual workshop with Leah Bricker of the Spencer Foundation on November 8th at 3 p.m. The Spencer Foundation seeks to improve education, make education systems more equitable, and increase opportunities to learn across the lifespan through education-focused research projects, research training fellowships, and additional field-building initiatives. Bricker will describe the foundation's mission and how it evaluates proposals, and Foundation Relations will discuss the support it can provide BU faculty who want to engage with the Foundation.