RARE Screening and Discussion at Seattle Science Festival

Monday, June 4th
Film presentation at 7:00pm followed by a panel discussion concluding by 9:00pm
In the PACCAR Theater at Pacific Science Center
Free to NWABR and Pacific Science Center members | $5 for public

Click here for tickets.

What would you do if your child were diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder? Come learn about one mother’s struggle to mobilize research that could potentially help her daughter and others with a rare form of albinism.

We are excited to announce that Heather Kirkwood, who is featured in the film and who serves as Director of Outreach/Vice President for the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) Network, will travel from Kansas for the event! She will be joined by Dr. Maren Grainger-Monsen, Director of the Program in Bioethics and Film at the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics, Dr. Benjamin Wilfond, Director of the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and Dr. Malia Fullerton, Associate Professor of Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Washington School of Medicine, in the panel discussion after the screening.

Come learn about one mother’s struggle to mobilize research that could potentially help her daughter and others with a rare form of albinism. The Seattle Science Festival will have the exclusive opportunity to premiere the film, RARE, co-directed by award-winning filmmaker Dr. Maren Grainger-Monsen and Nicole Newnham, filmmaker and writer at the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics.

This engaging film provides insight into the lives of people with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) and illustrates the efforts of the HPS community to attract researchers and study participants to fight this rare genetic condition. It reflects the challenges faced by any family seeking answers when research is the only pathway to a loved one’s chances of survival. Learn more about the documentary by clicking here. Don’t miss this RARE combination of quality film and engaging discussion, all in the comfort of the newly refurbished PACCAR theater!

This event is presented in partnership with the Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and Pacific Science Center.

The “Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics” (CURE) program was supported by a Science Education Partnership Award grant from the National Center for Research Resources and the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives of the National Institutes of Health through Grant Number R25OD011138.

Student Bio Expo 2012

Unique, Award-Winning Program Showcases Innovative Life Science Projects

May 24th marks the 12^th Student Bio Expo, the culminating event of an innovative year-long science education outreach program.  The Expo engages over 360 area high school students from 19 schools in real-world applications of new frontiers in biology and builds connections between students, teachers, and scientists!

Our Student Bio Expo provides the Seattle-area with one of its few competitive high school science fairs.  However, the Expo is not your usual science fair!  It differs from regular fairs in two main ways.  1)  Students develop projects with the assistance of a mentor scientist over the course of the school year.  2)  Students can enter life-science themed projects in categories as diverse as art, music, drama, writing, and traditional scientific research. By applying their own talents to their projects, students are motivated to see the connection between science and their own lives and interests.

This year, we are excited to announce that Maxine Hayes, MD, MPH, the State Health Officer for the Washington State Department of Health, will provide the keynote address.  Come join us to view the creative projects from this year’s participants.  Sample projects include: a music project on therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, an art project on Synesthesia, a lab research project comparing the genetics of hatchery and natural steelhead, a journalism project on “My family and Tay-Sachs,” and a collaborative project with Kenyan students on malaria.

WHEN:             Wednesday, May 24, 2012

WHERE:           Meydenbauer Conference Center, Bellevue, Washington

AGENDA:

8:15-8:45          Keynote

9:00-11:45        Student Presentations/Judging

12:30-1:00        Special Musical Performances

1:00-2:00          Awards Ceremony

About the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR): NWABR is a non-profit that promotes the understanding of biomedical research and its ethical conduct through education and dialogue. Our membership spans academic, industry, non-profit research institutes, health care, and voluntary health organizations. We serve and strengthen our research community, cultivate public understanding and trust in research, inspire students and support excellence in science teaching and foster dialogue about the key role of ethics in biomedical research.

Participating high schools: Ballard HS, Cleveland HS, Eastlake HS, Eastside Catholic HS, Glacier Peak HS, HM Jackson HS, Juanita HS, Kent-Meridian High School, Lynnwood HS, Marysville-Pilchuck HS, Monroe HS, Roosevelt HS, Royal HS, Shorecrest HS, Snohomish HS, The Attic Learning Community, West Seattle HS, W.F. West HS, Woodinville High School

Follow the Expo on twitter: #bioexpo12

###

NWABR Research Study Published in PLoS ONE Journal

We are excited to announce that our research study, “Fostering Critical Thinking, Reasoning, and Argumentation Skills through Bioethics Education,” has been published in the journal PLoS ONE.  Our study focused on the impacts of providing structured frameworks for case study analysis and for justification. The results support what we have long observed – when students learn strategies for ethical reasoning, they grow significantly in their ability to develop strong arguments for their positions.

To access the article, please click here

In order to assess the acquisition of higher-order justification skills taught in our Bioethics 101 curriculum, students were asked to analyze a case study and develop a well-reasoned written position. We evaluated statements using a scoring rubric and found highly significant differences (p<0.001) between students exposed to the curriculum strategies and those who were not. Students also showed highly significant gains (p<0.001) in self-reported interest in science content, ability to analyze socio-scientific issues, awareness of ethical issues, ability to listen to and discuss viewpoints different from their own, and understanding of the relationship between science and society. Our results demonstrate that incorporating ethical dilemmas into the classroom is one strategy for increasing student motivation and engagement with science content, while promoting reasoning and justification skills that help prepare an informed citizenry.

The “Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics” (CURE) program was supported by a Science Education Partnership Award grant (http://ncrrsepa.org) from the National Center for Research Resources and the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives of the National Institutes of Health through Grant Number R25OD011138. The funders had no role in study design, data

Thank you for Giving BIG on May 2!

Thank you for making The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG campaign on May 2nd a success.  The Seattle Foundation raised a total of $7.4 million in 24 hours supporting nonprofits in our community.  We would like to thank you for donating to NWABR and supporting our various education programs including the Student Bio Expo.  We look forward to working with you next year!

Former Expo Winner Awarded Fellowship

Former 2011 Expo winner Elaine Colligan awarded prestigious Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Georgetown University!

Elaine Colligan, the Global Health Winner from the 2011 Student Bio Expo, was one of three freshmen—and  the only woman—to recently receive a notable Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Georgetown University. Securing funding for her four undergraduate years, Elaine beat out nearly forty other applicants for these three coveted positions; this year is the first that the School of Foreign Service awarded research grants to freshmen. The Fellows will work 10-15 hours per week. Their wages will increase over the years as they become more experienced.

Elaine attributes some of her success at receiving this scholarship to her experience in the Bio Expo: “Bio Expo was most definitely a worthwhile event. The event exposed me to many facets of science and scientific research I wasn’t aware of before and piqued my current academic interest.” Elaine also relates that “I didn’t find real passion in what I was learning until given the opportunity to research TB from an international affairs – global health – standpoint. The Bio Expo allowed me to integrate many of my areas of interest, like culture, political systems, and environmental heath, into the project, which is why I think it was successful.”

Combining different topics for her Expo project also “prepared [Elaine] to think in interdisciplinary ways during [her] freshman year of college, something [she is] constantly asked to do.” Elaine believes in the importance of supporting the Bio Expo in order to “continue to inspire students and teach this interdisciplinary, critical thinking which is increasingly important in today’s globalized world and in higher education.” As a potential Science, Technology, and International Affairs Major with a certificate on International Development or African Studies, Elaine underscores the importance of multidisciplinary education by her own educational plans.

For a more extensive biography of Elaine Colligan or to see the other Fellows, visit here: http://mortara.georgetown.edu/research/undergrad/.

Elaine is a shining example of how the Expo engages and celebrates students who have yet to find their connection to science. We will continue to feature Expo stories like this one. If you or anyone you know would like to share your Expo story, contact Jenn Pang (jpang@nwabr.org).

GiveBIG on May 2!

On May 2nd, NWABR is participating in The Seattle Foundation’s 24-hour GiveBIG campaign. The campaign aims to inspire donors to give to non-profit organizations who make an impact in our region. Rally your friends and support NWABR!

You may even be lucky enough to win a Golden Ticket. Throughout GiveBIG, a random donor will have an additional $1,000 given to the charity that received their donation.

May 2nd GiveBIG to NWABR!

Youth Ethics Summit–Register today!

April 28th, Seattle BioMed (307 Westlake Ave N.) 9:30-3pm. Free lunch! Register now!

NWABR and Seattle BioMed invite Washington high school students interested in infectious disease and global health to come and join us for this year’s Youth Ethics Summit! Featuring lab tours, hands-on activities, and discussion session with experts, this year’s Summit is bound to be fun and educational.

Youth Ethics Summit: Global Health
Seattle BioMed
307 Westlake Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109

Saturday, April 28th
9:30 am – 3 pm

For more information and a link to register, visit http://nwabr.org/students/youth-ethics-summit or email Program Manager Jenn Pang at jpang@nwabr.org

Seats are limited and are filling up fast!  Registration closes at 5pm this Friday (April 20).

Join Us: May 8 for our next monthly Community Conversation!

Topic: “Is animal research justified?“

A discussion co-facilitated by Cindy Pekow, DVM; Chief, Veterinary Medical Unit, VA Puget Sound and Joan Griswold, MIT; Curriculum Design Lead, NWABR; 2012 Annual Fundraising Dinner Honoree

click here to register

When:   May8, 2012
Time:     Beginning at 5:30 pm, until 7:00 pm
Cost:      $5 at time of Registration
Where:  415 Westlake, Seattle, WA at Kakao Coffee and Chocolate in the South Lake Union neighborhood
Eats:      NWABR-hosted with appetizers and beverages

Learn more about our Community Conversations at our web site, or contact Jen Wroblewski at jenniferw@nwabr.org.  See you there!

You are Invited to CityClub’s April 17th luncheon about Delivery and Cost of Health Care

How much do health care services and procedures *really* cost?  Are costs equal to quality? Come to this great lunch and forum with four panelists who will discuss these questions and more!

Washington Athletic Club  |  1325 Sixth Ave., Seattle [view map]
Registration: 11:30 a.m. | Luncheon & Program: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

Luncheon: $35/CityClub Members, $40/Guests of CityClub members and guests of co-promoting partners, $45/General public.

Coffee & Dessert: $12/CityClub Members, $15/Guests of CityClub members and guests of co-promoting partners, $18/General public.

Register online today! Or call 206-682-7395! 

Featuring:

• Scott Bond, President and Chief Executive Officer, Washington State Hospital Association
• Rich Maturi, Senior Vice President for Health Care Delivery Systems, Premera
• Robert O’Brien, Executive Vice President Health Plan Division, Group Health Cooperative
• Rick Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, The Everett Clinic

Moderator:

Joanne Silberner, Contributor, Public Radio, Artist in Residence, University of Washington

How do we discover the true costs of health care, and how do we gain more transparency in the system? How much do services and procedures really cost? How do uncompensated care and other hidden expenses also drive cost?  How can consumers assess relative costs and quality among different providers? What are the barriers to transparency in the system? What role can hospitals, physicians, insurance companies, health systems and the consumer play in breaking those barriers down? How can understanding the true cost of care ultimately help us reduce it?Thanks to our -

Health Care Presenting Sponsor:

Health Care Supporting Series Sponsors:                  

Co-promoting Organizations:

Alzheimer’s Association of Western and Central Washington, American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific, Department of Public Health – Seattle & King County, Neighborcare Health, Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, Northwest Science Writers Association, Puget Sound Health Alliance, Science and Management of Addictions (SAMA), Sound Mental Health, Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, Washington State Hospital Association      

NWABR at 2012 National Science Teachers Association Conference

Join NWABR at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in Indianapolis this week!

NWABR and Science Education Partners at NSTA Seattle 2011

Come join Jeanne Chowning, NWABR Director of Education, and Joan Griswold, Curriculum Design Lead, at NSTA Indianapolis 2012! We will present several hands-on lessons from our popular high school curriculum units.  These resources are designed to introduce teachers and students to cutting-edge science topics and to provide educators with structured frameworks for discussing related ethical issues.  Click on the links below to view our curricular materials on our website!

Sessions include:

The Science and Ethics of Animal Research
Thursday, March 29, 8am-9am
JW Marriott, Grand Ballroom 4

Integrating Bioinformatics into Introductory Biology Courses
Thursday, March 29, 2pm-3pm
JW Marriott, Grand Ballroom 4

Stem Cells: Science and Ethics
Friday, March 30
12:30pm-1:30pm
Indiana Convention Center, 204

We hope to see you there!

Support for NWABR’s curriculum development is provided by a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources and the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives of the National Institutes of Health through Grant Number R25OD011138 and by an Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers award from the National Science Foundation, DRL 0833779.

Save the date: June 12, 2012 NWABR Annual Fundraising Dinner

5:30pm Reception featuring the Student Bio Expo winners
6:30pm Dinner & Program
415 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA

Click here for more details about the event and sponsorship.

NWABR’s annual fundraising event is a celebration of our life sciences community that brings together over 300 researchers, educators and students from across the Pacific Northwest region.

We are privileged to honor three leaders who step up every day to represent the people and the promise of research through mentoring the next generation.

• Gregory Foltz, MD, Director, Center for Advanced Brain and Tumor Treatment, Swedish Medical Center
• Nitin Baliga, PhD, Director for Integrative Biology, Professor, Institute for Systems Biology
• Cindy Pekow, DVM, MS, DACLAM, Chief, Veterinary Medical Unit, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System

Please join us in honoring these inspirational individuals. Levels of sponsorship for our fundraiser dinner range from $2,500 – $10,000.

• Gold Level Sponsorship- $10,000
• Silver Level Sponsorship- $5,000
• Bronze Level Sponsorship- $2,500
• Individual Attendee Ticket- $150

Watch People Matter, 6 minute video Featured at Recent Community Conversation

What are the ethical issues when conducting research in hospitals and clinics?  By linking our health care with research, we face an interesting set of ethical issues that are not just an academic exercise: sensitivity of investigators; timing of being invited to participate in research; how to discuss secondary uses of samples collected for clinical care and primary research.

View People Matter, share it widely, and leave your comments!

After viewing People Matter, conversation participants explored themes of

Equal access to health care and research- “How might individuals be feeling snubbed already by the medical complex by experiencing poor access and how might it be hypocritical to ask them to participate in research?”

Alternative forms of research consent-“It is important to stimulate the thought process of patients, especially for non-English speakers.  No patients ask questions, especially in an emergency situation.  People just sign their [medical] consent which includes consent for using biological material for research.”

“Should we be equally concerned about the person who looks at a long consent form and just signs because they inherently trust their doctor, the institution AND the person who turns down research participation because the form is too long?”

As a group we explored using an organ donor card concept where people would carry a card indicating a checklist of the types of research they would and would NOT want to participate in.  This approach to research participation would facilitate conversations between a person and their doctor/family at a time of their choosing instead of at a stressful time–in an emergency or at the time of care.

Participants offer positive feedback:

-Very excellent evening.  The work you are doing is very helpful and healing.  You should be very proud.

-I appreciated the tone of the conversations.

-I appreciate that you made me feel particularly welcome (as a non-scientist) at the community conversations!

Meet the 2012 IRB Conference Planning Committee!

Meet the individuals who have lent their time and expertise to develop the agenda and identify the speakers for our 2012 Regional IRB Education Conference!  

Quorum Review IRB, Western IRB, Legacy Health System, The University of Montana, Swedish Medical Center, University of Oregon, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Boeing, University of Washington, University of Idaho, Cayuse, PATH and the Institute for Systems Biology are all represented by experts in human subjects research.

Click here to read their profiles.

Middle School Essays Ready for Judging!

Our thanks to over 110 researchers and community members that are signed up to judge more than 700 middle school essays in NWABR’s “Biomedical Breakthroughs and My Life” essay contest.

The contest provides an opportunity for 7th and 8th grade students to relate biomedical research to their family or pets. Students research the process of developing new medications, vaccines and medical devices and explore how studies with animals or humans are part of the research process.

Entries are coming from 32 schools in Washington, Oregon and Montana. Judges from 13 states will participate in two rounds of judging to select the winning essays.  Winning students, their teachers and parents will attend an Awards Day on May 4th, hosted by Institute for Systems Biology.

Our thanks to Knossos Foundation for the funding that made the contest possible. More information about the contest and previous winners can be found at http://www.nwabr.org/students/essay-contest.

Register Now: 2012 Regional IRB Education Conference- April 24, 2012

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 Bell Harbor Conference Center 2211 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA

NWABR members: $350* Non-members: $450* *late registration fee of $50 will apply after March23rd

Click here to register!

Shifting our mindset from thinking of research participants as individuals who need protection to partners in research who have perceptions about research benefits, risks and harms that deserve thoughtful consideration, represents an expansion of the role professionals engaged in research oversight. The distinction between compliance and ethics has never been more blurred. Please join us in an exploration of the issues that matter to research volunteers, and learn practical strategies for ensuring that research is conducted ethically at your institution.

Conference sessions include:

“Perspectives on the Return of Research Results to Study Participants” by Pearl O’Rourke, MD, Director, Human Research Affairs, Partners Healthcare System

“What Really Matters: Exploring the Alignment of Understanding Among IRB Members, Scientists and Research Participants” by Ann Freeman Cook, PhD, Director, National Rural Bioethics Project, Research Professor, University of Montana

“Patient 002 (a novel): Reading by the Author and Discussion” by Floyd Skloot, Author

“Government Banking of Tissue Specimens” by Carol Weil, JD, Regulatory Affairs Advisor, Office of Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health

“From Washington to Washington: An Update from OHRP” by Elyse Summers, JD, Director, Division of Education and Development, Office for Human Research Protections

The NWABR staff and conference planning committee are looking forward to meeting you on April 24th.  If you have an questions, please contact Laurie Hassell, Regional Manager, at (206) 465-4691 or lhassell@nwabr.org

Student Bio Expo seeks creative and curious minds…

… with scientific savvy to judge unique projects on May 24th! Judge registration is now open. Please check out the Expo Judge page for more information (http://nwabr.org/community/student-bio-expo/judges). We not only invite members of the community with a science background, but also those who are creative and have a curious mind.

We have 13 categories that need judges (Art, Career and Industry, Drama and Dance, Lab Research, Molecular Modeling, Music, Multimedia, Teaching, Website Design, Creative Writing, Journalism, SeaVuria (formerly Global Health), and SMART Teams (advanced molecular modeling)), so there’s something for everyone. Join us for a unique science fair experience!!!

Feel free to contact Jenn Pang (jpang@nwabr.org) for more information.  See you there!!!

Congratulations Jeanne Chowning on 10 wonderful years!

Our own Jeanne Chowning has been with us now ten, wonderful years. The words in this graphic are those Jeanne’s peers and coworkers have used to describe her, and her work in their notes and letters of appreciation!

Biology in the Age of Computing: Online Resources for Teachers and Students

As part of NWABR’s ongoing commitment to inspiring students in science, we are excited to announce an upcoming webinar featuring NWABR program staff and partner scientists. The webinar is geared towards teachers and students, as well as formal and informal educators and will be archived for future viewing. We hope to see you online!

Wednesday, February 8th from 11:00am to 12:00pm PST
If you’d like to register for the event, click here.

Join us as we share curricula, online resources, teacher experiences and research findings from Bio-ITEST: New Frontiers in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, a program funded by the National Science Foundation that brings the exciting field of bioinformatics to high school teachers and students. Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. With a strong emphasis on increasing student awareness of STEM careers, each Bio-ITEST lesson features an individual who uses bioinformatics in their work, or whose work is made possible by bioinformatics. The presentation will include an overview of curricular units, including introductory lessons on genetic testing and advanced lessons on genetic research, as well as an exploration of the online resources. Presenters will share lessons learned about increasing student STEM career awareness and engagement in the context of the Bio-ITEST project.

Biology in the Age of Computing: Online Resources for High School Teachers and Students is presented in partnership with the National Girls Collaborative Project and EdLab Group.

The National Girls Collaborative Project is partially funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, GSE/EXT: National Girls Collaborative Project: Building the Capacity of STEM Practitioners to Develop a Diverse Workforce, Grant No.HRD-1103073. The Bio-ITEST program is made possible by an Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers grant award from the National Science Foundation, DRL-0833779.

REGISTER NOW for NWABR’s IACUC Conference

Join researchers, veterinarians, animal technicians, and IACUC members and administrators from around the Northwest for NWABR’s 13th annual Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Regional Education Conference.

WHAT:                           IACUC Regional Education Conference
WHEN:                          Friday – Feb. 24th – 7:00 am-4:30 pm
WHERE:                        Seattle
REGISTRATION:          Online link at http://www.nwabr.org/members/iacuc

Timely topics and engaging speakers make this one day conference a valuable training and networking event for new and experienced IACUC members and researchers.  View highlights and agenda at http://www.nwabr.org/members/iacuc.

The keynote speaker:  Dr. Alicia Karas, Tufts University
-  Assessing pain and the IACUCs role in evaluating protocols

Other program highlights include:
-  Update on compliance with the Guide – Dr. Helen Diggs, Oregon State Univ. , AAALAC Internat’l Counselor
-  Motivation to speak up for research – Dr. Cindy Buckmaster, Baylor College of Medicine
-  Training for new IACUC members and review for experienced members
-  Updates and Q&A with representatives from USDA and AAALAC International

This conference combines regional convenience with national caliber training. Encourage your institution to send a team!
Registration Fees: 
$285.00      NWABR member
$235.00      NWABR member, Group (10 or more)
$415.00      Non-NWABR member

We wish to thank our sponsors to date:  Purina LabDiet, Rees Scientific, Huron Education|Click.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Reitha Weeks at rweeks@nwabr.org.

Invitation to Essay Contest Participants and Judges!

If you know 7th or 8th grade students, encourage them to enter NWABR’s essay contest, “Biomedical Breakthroughs and My Life”!  Classes of students or individuals are encouraged to sign up by Jan. 10th but later registration is permitted.  The link to registration is at http://www.nwabr.org/students/essay-contest.

If you are a researcher and would like to judge these wonderful essays, sign up at http://nwabr.org/nwabr.org/community/volunteer-opportunities/essay-judge-registration.

Students will strengthen their writing, research and interviewing skills while discovering the role of scientists in biomedical research and the relevance of biomedical research to themselves, their family or their pets.  They may choose topics that allow them to investigate the development of medications that they are taking, the medical device implants received by relatives or the shots given to their pets.  They must include evidence of how the use of animals or humans in clinical trials have advanced research and medical treatments.

Every student will receive comments about their essay from the researchers serving as judges.  Judges receive scoring criteria and will participate in one or two rounds of judging between March 14 and April 2.  The process takes place electronically – essays are sent by email and scoring is done online – so there is no geographic limit to who can be a judge.

Winning students in the general category and English Language Learner category will receive a cash prize and be invited to an Awards Day at a research facility.  Teachers and parents of winning students are also invited to the Awards Day to meet scientists and engage in tours and hands-on activities.

Contest Timeline:
Jan. 10        “Intent to participate” registration encouraged
March 9      Essay submission date
April 13       Winners announced
May             Awards Day event

For more information, visit NWABR’s website, http://nwabr.org/students/essay-contest, or contact Reitha Weeks at rweeks@nwabr.org or 206-957-3337 x305.