SUMMER 2011
OUR COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE TO PETA BILLBOARDS
In June 2011, new PETA billboards sparked controversy around the ethics of animal research. Billboards near the University of Washington campus targeted researchers at the University. James Lynch, Q13 FOX News Reporter in Seattle interviewed Susan Adler, NWABR Executive Director in addition to interviewing a representative of PETA and students at the University.
SUMMER 2010
TEACHERS IN THE LABS: INSPIRING SCIENCE EDUCATION
This National Public Radio feature highlights the impacts of connecting the scientific research community with educators in order to promote better understanding of the need for animals in research. NWABR's Ethics in the Science Classroom teachers visited the Washington National Primate Research Center and learned about the vital role animals play in important research breakthroughs by touring the facilities and speaking with scientists and animal caretakers. (KPLU) - More and more jobs call for training in science. This summer some local teachers are out to improve the quality of that training. KPLU's Gary Davis caught up with a Seattle program that brings science teachers into cutting-edge laboratories. Click here for KPLU radio station broadcast.
SPRING 2010
BREAST CANCER - A PATIENT'S STORY
Research Saves! A patient’s story, especially if that patient is a scientist, can bring a sense of reality and poignancy to biomedical research. As a Ph.D. trained molecular biologist and program manager at the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR), my story is in harmony with NWABR’s mission: to promote the understanding of biomedical research and its ethical conduct...When invited to speak at the first high school Junior Science Café of the academic year, I jumped at the chance. I titled my talk “Demystifying Breast Cancer: A Personal Tale,” hoping that I could encourage students to ask questions – to demystify something that has touched, and sometimes killed, so many... Read More (PDF) (NIH grant UL1 RR025014 supports NWABR's Speakers' Bureau).
CANCER: WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW - PODCASTS NOW AVAILABLE!
NWABR and Gilda's Club co-presented a public workshop on January 16th 2010 to help people engage with cancer and the research process. In case you missed this amazing day, follow the link below to access three of the podcast presentations. Highlights include Barry Boatman, RN, Swedish Medical Center with practical tips about participating in clinical research; Nora Disis, MD, University of Washington who sets a framework and context for the importance of public participation in clinical research to move cures forward; and Brian Till, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center with hope-inspiring work that shows promise to cure cancer using patients' own immune cells. Listen to Cancer Podcasts.
NWABR's Bioethics Program featured in Science
NWABR's Ethics in Science program received national recognition in Science, the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science! The article,"Students Learn How, Not What To Think About Difficult Issues: A novel bioethics program trains teachers to help students confront challenges in the classroom-and in their lives," explores the impacts of NWABR's work on students and teachers. Read the article (PDF).
This program is funded by Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics, a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health.
NWABR Speaker Patty Wood featured in Seattle P-I Story
Patty Wood, NWABR Speaker and former Board Member, was recently featured in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer story "Organ donor recipient hooked on sharing her story." Read about Patty's inspiring work on behalf of medical research! "With research," Patty says, "the window of hope is never closed." Kudos also to our Ethics in Science teacher Brenda Thomas who, after hearing Patty speak, was motivated not only to discuss organ donation with her classes, but to donate a kidney herself! Read the article.
NWABR Speakers' Bureau Coordinator, Jennifer Wroblewski, interviewed on KUOW
Science is easier to understand over a couple of beers. That's why Jennifer Wroblewski, Gretchen Meller, and a group of other scientists began an informal science curriculum in a couple pubs in Seattle called Science on Tap. Jennifer shares how this series continues her lifelong passion for learning. NWABR applauds the efforts of the Seattle Science on Tap program. For more information about Science on Tap in Seattle, please visit their website: scienceontap.org.
Related Links:
Understanding the Hidden Costs of Research.
Modeling Early Embryology and Stem Cell Concepts
NWABR Staff and Teachers American Biology Teacher Journal, February 2008 Stem cells renew and also have the potential to give rise to daughter cells that can differentiate into many types of cells. In this activity, students make play dough models of early embryonic development. Read the rest of the story... Download entire curriculum...
Education Week Science Teachers Learning to Tackle Thorny Issues Inherent in Subject
This article focuses on NWABR's Ethics in the Science Classroom program and how it supports teachers' efforts to address important scientific and ethical issues with their students.
Student Bio Expo Articles
Seattle Post Intelligencer Increased Science Literacy A Worthy Goal for the Northwest
This opinion piece, authored by Theresa Britschgi at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, with support from NWABR's Jeanne Chowning, was featured in the August 4, 2005 issue of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The article describes the recent Life Sciences Education Advancement Partnership (LEAP) Summit and the importance of increased science literacy in our region. The LEAP Summit was a collaborative effort of science education outreach organizations in Washington and Oregon. LEAP was created to increase awareness of the life science outreach work being done in our community and to facilitate opportunities for partnerships. Outreach organizations will be featured in a resource guide describing the many exciting programs across the Pacific Northwest.
Puget Sound Business Journal Summit: Groups Hope to Attract Next-Gen Bioscientists
NWABR and the LEAP Summit were also featured in the August 5, 2005 edition of the Puget Sound Business Journal. NWABR and the LEAP partners thank the Life Sciences Cluster of the Prosperity Partnership for their support!
Smoke Bombs in Seattle: Anti-research Terrorism
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Medical Researchers Unfairly Targeted (7.26.02) Opinion by Susan Adler, NWABR Executive Director. Seattle Times: Hundreds Evacuated After Smoke Bombs Triggered in Downtown Seattle (7.10.02)
Other NWABR-related media stories
For the Greater Good: Animals and Research: A five-part series organized by Seattle Post-Intelligencer Assistant Editor Sam Sperry
We need the tools to stop attacks on laboratories - An article by U.S. Representative George Nethercutt on the importance of federal legislation to address violence and terrorism targeted at researchers and research facilities.
The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research and Patty Wood to be Honored for Medical Research Advocacy - A News in Brief prepared by Research! America The Lifesaving Gift of Biomedical Research - An special editorial to the Seattle Times celebrating biomedical breakthroughs in Washington State written by NWABR President Joe Eschbach in honor of Biomedical Research Day