Interesting Features at PWN for 3.31.14

News from the PWN Pipeline

"A word that is symbolic of systemic discouragement of girls to lead."

Sheryl Sandberg's campaign to ban the word 'bossy' is described in this ABC News article. Sandberg argues that 'bossy' is an insulting term that discourages girls from being assertive, confident, and pursuing leadership roles. Though banning the word might not be entirely feasible, Sandberg explains that the importance of the campaign is to encourage young girls and women to feel proud and empowered by ambition and leadership.

The Ban Bossy website |  http://banbossy.com/#

"Banning a word like bossy isn't the answer."

The Guardian asks parents how they feel about Sheryl Sandberg's campaign to ban the word 'bossy', and whether they agree with the initiative. Parents are also asked to reflect on how they feel, or would feel, about their daughter being called bossy. The answers are surprising varied, with many parents insisting that banning a word isn't the solution to actively encouraging girls to be more confident or take more initiative.


PWN readers: please feel free to share your opinions on 'Ban Bossy' in the comments section. I will say that I have never heard anyone describe a boy or a man's behavior as 'bossy,' and nor have I heard anyone chastise a boy or a man for being bossy. Thus, I agree with Sandberg that 'bossy' is a disparaging term that appears to only be directed at girls and women, and has the power to dissuade and discourage confidence. Bringing national attention to this issue will likely be the most positive outcome of her campaign. I suspect that awareness, and not necessarily a dictionary revision, has been the goal all along.

Interesting Features at PWN for 3.24.14

News from the PWN Pipeline

"There's a force behind you that wants you to succeed."

The focus of this NY Times article is on promising programs that help women to reenter the competitive workplace after an extended leave. Banking institutions such as JPMorgan, Credit Suisse, and Morgan Stanley have begun offering paid internships and fellowships to highly educated and accomplished women who are returning to the workforce, with the opportunity of transitioning to full-time work. Academic institutions such as Harvard Business School and Pace Law School offer programs that help to prepare women by polishing their technical acumen (technology and writing skills) as well as resume and interview skills. The article suggests that momentum is growing for developing more programs that will equip women with the tools they need to reenter the workplace.

Women must be more proactive about citing their own work

The Chronicle of Higher Education recently reported that women in academia are less likely to cite their own research compared to their male counterparts. Given that research citations are among the factors that are critically evaluated during hiring and promotions processes, women must take advantage of all opportunities to cite their own work in order to remain academically competitive.

Interesting Features at PWN for 3.17.14

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

What women need to succeed in science.

Professors Huda Zoghbi and Paul Greengard discuss their perspectives on the type of guidance and mentorship that will encourage women to pursue their scientific curiosities, and to choose and succeed in scientific fields. Dr. Greengard and his wife, sculptor Ursula von Rydingsvard, founded the Pearl Meister Greengard prize that provides recognition for the accomplishments of women in science. Dr. Zoghbi is the 2013 recipient of the prize.  

Advancement Opportunities

Postdoctoral position available at Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Baylor College of Medicine at Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas

Candidates who are interested in substance use disorders (nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, alcohol), PTSD, and other comorbidities are strongly encouraged to apply. The NIDA-funded R25 program educates postdoctoral fellows in clinical research methods and the means of incorporating research findings into clinical practice. Clinical experiences emphasize Phase Ib and Phase II trials of new pharmacotherapies and innovative behavioral treatments for substance use disorders.
For more information:
Brief letter of interest | CV | send to: Drs. Thomas F Newton (tnewton@bcm.edu) and Richard De La Garza, II (rg12@bcm.edu)

Interesting Features at PWN for 3.10.14

News from the PWN Pipeline:

"Work-life conflicts as an everyone issue, not a women's issue or a mom issue."

An article published in the March Harvard Business Review reveals, or perhaps confirms what many already know to be true, that significant gender differences emerge when men and women are evaluating work/life balance in terms of their work priorities and careers. Men tend to explain their inadequate time spent with family as the result of providing their family with opportunities and/or financial success, whereas women tend to focus less on financial achievement and more on reaching a balance in their careers to emphasize work and time spent with their families. The study suggests (confirms?!) that men may not be acknowledging that work-life conflicts impact them as well and that it is not specifically a women's issue.   

Advancement Opportunities

Postdoctoral positions available at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Two postdoctoral positions investigating mechanisms of synaptodendritic injury in opiate abuse and HIV-comorbidity are available at VCU for qualified scientists with experience in neuroscience, drug abuse, innate or adaptive immunology, or pharmocological or neurovirological research. 

More details in the link

CV | 3 references | statement of research interests and career goals | Send to either Dr. Kurt F Hauser (kfhauser@vcu.edu) or Dr. Pamela E Knapp (peknapp@vcu.edu)

Multiple clinician and research scientist openings at NIH institutes

Staff scientist, clinical investigator, and clinician openings are available at the Division of National Toxicology program Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Clinical Chemistry Service Department of Laboratory Medicine, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Details, application information and contact info for each opening in the link
Deadlines are soon, so apply today!  

Interesting Features at PWN for 3.3.14

News from the PWN Pipeline: 

"Clarity, communication and common ground."

Kim Keating, founder and managing director of human resources consulting firm Keating Advisors, shares her advice on navigating salary inequity in the workplace. As more awareness is raised about the gender-pay gap, it is increasing crucial to maintain a forward-thinking approach and set of strategies to apply towards negotiating your salary and other benefits.

"Will the next Zuckerberg be female?"

Women are very underrepresented in engineering and technology industries, and while they may exhibit aptitudes for coding and design early in their schooling, there often is not enough support for them when moving into higher levels of education or in industry. This BBC News article explores the approch of actively encouraging young women to apply their creativity to coding and app/web development, which will slowly begin improving the landscape of women working in tech.

Advancement Opportunities

Neuroscientist position to develop novel therapeutics at Genentech Research

Scientists with strong backgrounds in systems biology and/or disease research are encouraged to apply for this opening in the Department of Neuroscience that will focus on investigating neural circuit function in disease and applying findings to drug discovery and developing therapeutic approaches.
Details and Genentech application portal in the link.