FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 04, 2010

American Chemical Society co-hosts briefings on new scientists and basic research on Oct. 7

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2010 — The American Chemical Society (ACS) Science & the Congress Project invites news media to attend two luncheon briefings exploring the challenges and opportunities for early-career researchers and the importance of government-supported basic research in advancing new technologies. The briefings will take place on Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building and the Rayburn House Office Building of the U.S. Capitol.

One briefing will highlight the societal benefits of federal research and the challenges and opportunities early-career investigators face in establishing a foothold in the scientific profession. Entitled “Investing in Our Future: A New Generation of Researchers,” the briefing will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room G50. It is co-sponsored ACS and Research!America. To RSVP: Register online or contact Michelle Hernandez by email mhernandez@researchamerica.org or phone 571-482-2715.

Participants in the “new scientists” briefing include:

Opening Remarks
The Honorable John Edward Porter
, Chair, Research!America

Moderator
James Gentile, Ph.D.
, President, Research Corporation for Science Advancement

Panelists
Iain Cockburn, Ph.D.
, Professor of Finance and Economics, School of Management, Boston University
Marshall Shuler, Ph.D.
, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University
Raquel Lieberman, Ph.D.
, Assistant Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
Meryl Comer
, President, Geoffrey Beene Gives Back Alzheimer's Initiative

Honorary co-hosts:
Senator Barbara Mikulski,
Representative Rush Holt
Representative Vernon Ehlers

The other briefing will explore how the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science supports basic research that is critical to the competitiveness of American industry. Entitled “Basic Research with a Purpose: How DOE Science Helps U.S. Industry Compete,” the briefing will take place in the Rayburn Building, Room 2168 (Gold Room). It is co-sponsored by ACS, the Energy Sciences Coalition, and the House Research and Development Caucus. To RSVP, e-mail RSVP@aau.edu.

Participants in the “basic research” briefing include:

Rep. Rush Holt and Rep. Judy Biggert , co-chairs, House Research and Development Caucus

James Stevens, Ph.D., Corporate Fellow, Core Research and Development, The Dow Chemical Company

Bryan J. Rice, Ph.D., Director of Lithography, SEMATECH, Intel Corporation

Kathryn Clay, Ph.D., Director of Research, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers

John Palafoutas, National Inventors Hall of Fame

The Science & the Congress Project was established in 1995 to provide a neutral and credible source of scientific information targeted to policymakers on Capitol Hill. Expert speakers are chosen to provide a balanced presentation about the topic under discussion, and their comments are independent of any position that may be held by the American Chemical Society, the sponsors of Science & the Congress, or its co-hosts. For more information, visit the Science & the Congress Project online.

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Media Contact

Audrey Leath
202-872-6396
a_leath@acs.org

Michael Bernstein
202-872-6042
m_bernstein@acs.org