A Paradox and Alan Rein: Distinguished Retrovirologist Retires from the HIV DRP

In 1953, a teenaged Alan Rein read about what James Watson and Francis Crick famously called “the secret of life”—the double-helix structure of DNA, which had just been published in Nature. Captivated, Rein decided at that moment that he wanted to be a biochemist. Rein’s biochemistry aspirations shifted to virology during college, leading him to a 60-year career in the field, the last 45 years of which were spent at NCI Frederick, studying how retroviruses like murine leukemia virus and HIV assemble themselves and infect host cells while somehow evading the immune response.
By Lisa Simpson, staff writer
01.14.2025

Community

Spring Research Festival Highlighted on WHAG-TV

WHAG-TV (Hagerstown, Md.) visited Fort Detrick to highlight the 2015 Spring Research Festival, sponsored by the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research. Visit the WHAG-TV website to see the video broadcast, which aired May 6. The video was produced by WHAG Reporter Mallory Sofastaii.
By Ashley DeVine, Staff Writer 05.19.2015
Community Events Spring Research Festival May 2015

First Annual Ethnic Food Cook-off Offers Tastes from Around the World

The Employee Diversity Team (EDT), with the support of the R&W Club Frederick, hosted its first Annual Ethnic Food Cook-off on March 27, in the lobby of Building 549, at NCI at Frederick. The event drew chefs of all nationalities from around the NCI at Frederick community. The goal of the cook-off was to encourage members of the community to embrace various ethnic cultures and backgrounds, according to Andrea Frydl, public affairs specialist, Office of Scientific Operations, and EDT chairperson.
By Employee Diversity Team Staff 04.21.2015
Community Events April 2015

Parenting Outside the Box, Part 2: Sorting through the Information and Navigating the Individualized Education Program Process

Many people living and working in the Washington, D.C., metro area have learned to speak the special language of acronyms, whether they are referring to the federal government, political groups, or other organizations. The special needs world also has its own set of acronyms, such as those for therapies, organizations, tests, and diagnoses. Some examples include IEP, which stands for Individualized Education Program, and OT, which, for most people, stands for overtime, but, for special needs parents, refers to occupational therapy.
By Melissa Porter, Staff Writer; photo courtesy of Jenna Clifton, The Ivymount School 04.17.2015
Features Community Health & Safety April 2015

Spring Research Festival Set for May 4–7; Registration Deadline April 17

The 19th Annual Spring Research Festival (SRF), sponsored by the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research (NICBR), will be held May 4–7, at the same location as last year: just off Porter Street, in the back parking lot of Building 1507 (Odom Fitness Center).
By Ashley DeVine, Staff Writer 04.09.2015
Events Community Spring Research Festival April 2015

Students and Educators Learn about NICBR Science, Careers

Approximately 50 college students, professors, and high school teachers from Frederick County Public Schools gathered at Hood College for the second annual National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research (NICBR) Exploring Careers in a Scientific Environment Symposium (NECSES). The Feb. 13 event highlighted the wide range of scientific research as well as the educational and career opportunities available through NICBR partner organizations.
Nancy Parrish 03.20.2015
Outreach Community Events March 2015