May 2014

(Updated) Students, Teachers Share Technology Now Advantages with ATRF Staff

By Carolynne Keenan, Contributing Writer

Philip Evich, a senior at Middletown High School, loves talking about literature, even beyond the allotted 90 minutes of his Advanced Placement (AP) Literature class. That’s why he and his classmates embraced the opportunity to blog about books read in the class.

OHS Encouraged Employees to “Take a Hike” Twice in April

By Carolynne Keenan, Contributing Writer

The chilly weather didn’t dampen the spirits of Take a Hike Day participants on Wednesday, April 2. Over 50 employees braved cool, misty weather to walk or jog around Fort Detrick during their lunch hours.

“The Take a Hike Day is [a way] to encourage everyone to get up and get moving,” said Sarah Hooper, RN, manager of Occupational Health Services (OHS). “OHS and the R&W partnered to encourage employees to engage in physical activity to improve their health.”

Next-Generation Entrepreneurs Ready to Advance Breast Cancer Research Innovations

By Michele Newton and Thomas Stackhouse, Contributing Writers, and Rosemarie Truman, Guest Writer

Editor’s note: In May 2014, the Breast Cancer Start-Up Challenge was named one of six finalists in the HHS Innovates Award Competition. This award celebrates innovations developed by employees of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support the mission of HHS. In the final phase of the competition, the public will be invited to help select “The People’s Choice” winner; public voting takes place May 29 through June 6, 2014.        

Student Intern Ben Freed Competes as Finalist in Intel STS Competition, Three Other Interns Named Semifinalists

By Ashley DeVine, Staff Writer

Werner H. Kirstin (WHK) student intern Ben Freed was one of 40 finalists to compete in the Intel Science Talent Search (STS) in Washington, DC, in March.

“It was seven intense days of interacting with amazing judges and incredibly smart and interesting students. We met President Obama, and then the MIT astronomy lab named minor planets after each of us,” Freed said of the competition.  

Green Team Readies for Spring with Plant Swap

By Carolynne Keenan, Contributing Writer

Those looking for a cost-effective way to spruce up their yards this spring can stop by the National Cancer Institute at Frederick Green Team’s booth during the Spring Research Festival (SRF) on May 7 and 8. Pick up a free plant, donate overgrown plants from your yard, or swap for a new plant.

Everyone is invited to participate in the swap, whether you have plants to donate or not.

NICBR Events at the Spring Research Festival

Poster Staff

May 5
NICBR Scientific Symposium
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Building 549 Auditorium

The National Interagency Confederation for Biomedical Research (NICBR) Scientific Symposium is open to postdocs, postbacs, graduate students, and technical support staff. The theme of this day-long symposium is “The Microbiome: Host Response to Disease”; however, presentations can cover any area of research being conducted by NICBR member organizations.

 

May 6
NICBR Research Collaboration Forum
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Building 549 Auditorium

February NICBR Symposium Highlights Careers in Science

Poster Staff

The first National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research (NICBR) Exploring Careers in a Scientific Environment Symposium was held on Feb. 18 at the Advanced Technology Research Facility. The event drew more than 70 Frederick County public school teachers, who learned about the wide range of biomedical research being conducted by scientists in the NICBR agencies, as well as the variety of opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in science and/or technology.

NICBR includes the following organizations colocated at Fort Detrick: