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1st
appeared 18 December 1998
UCSF Faculty Spearhead Outreach Efforts to
Potential Scientists
While UCSF researchers joined their national
counterparts in making hundreds of scientific presentations and seminars at this week's
annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), one of their most
important contributions to the meeting -- and to the City of San Francisco -- was their
effort to educate and inspire high school and college students about science.
 "One of the things we're proudest of are the fabulous outreach
programs conducted by the Society for high school and college students, and UCSF faculty
are absolutely key in these efforts," said Elizabeth Blackburn, the president of the
ASCB and chair of the UCSF Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
The programs, ranging from an overview on cloning for high school students to a
presentation on what attending graduate school in the sciences is like, reflect UCSF's
ongoing efforts to stimulate interest in science in young people, and the belief that
these efforts must be targeted at students early on in their schooling.
"It is our responsibility not only to educate the general public about science, but
to reach out to young people and expose them to the excitement of science while they are
students," said Blackburn.
Throughout the year, hundreds of UCSF scientists participate in the Science and Health
Education Partnership (SEP) with the San Francisco Unified School District. They work in
various capacities to assist teachers of science and to expose students to the wonders of
scientific exploration.
At this week's meeting, one of the key presentations was a program for high school
students entitled "One Hundred Years of Cloning Research," presented by Roger
Pedersen, a UCSF professor of laboratory radiobiology and radiology and a world leader in
embryonic stem cell research, and Fay Shamanski, a visiting postdoctoral fellow in
Pedersen's lab. The researchers reviewed the work that led to the cloning of the sheep
Dolly, in England, and provided a historical perspective on how each experiment was built
on the previous one. The researchers also discussed the possibilities of nuclear transfer
technology and the cloning of humans, as well as relevant ethical issues.
Two other important programs were geared toward college students, one describing the
graduate school experience, and one focused on "Women in Cell Biology, Mentoring
Young Scientists into the 21st Century." Both were presented by Michael Alvarez,
director of the UCSF Career Center.
Another program focused on the importance of sharing information in science, and how this
issue has been complicated by the increasing linkages with industry. The presentation was
given by UCSF researchers Keith Yamamoto, a professor and vice chairman of cellular and
molecular pharmacology and a professor of biochemistry and biophysics, and Doug Hanahan, a
professor of biochemistry and biology and a member of the UCSF Hormone Research Institute,
along with UCSF lawyer Jeff Labovitz and Stanford Law School Professor John Barton.
Blackburn moderated a panel on Affirmative Action in the Biological Sciences.
In addition, three of UCSF's most illustrious faculty members participated at the ASCB
meeting: J. Michael Bishop, Chancellor of UCSF, was presented the ASCB Public Service
Award by San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown before a packed and enthusiastic audience, and
presented a stirring speech of acceptance; Bruce Alberts, a UCSF professor of biochemistry
and biophysics, and currently Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences/National
Research Council Commission on Life Sciences (CLS), was on hand to present the new ASCB
"Bruce Alberts Science Education" award given to Robert DeHaan of Emory
University; and Harold Varmus, a UCSF professor of microbiology and biochemistry and
biophysics and currently the director of the National Institutes of Health, spoke on
"Trends at the NIH."
Another distinguished UCSF researcher, Christine Guthrie, a professor and vice chairman of
biochemistry and biophysics, received the ASCB Women in Cell Biology Senior Award.
Links:
Bishop Awarded Public
Service Award by Mayor
US High School Seniors Trail
the World in Science
Scientists Urged to Boost
Science
Science and Health Education Partnership
UCSF Career Center
Source: Jennifer O'Brien, News
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