2002 Career Opportunities in Physiology Committee Report
At the recent Experimental Biology meeting in New Orleans, the Career
Opportunities in Physiology Committee sponsored a Careers Symposium entitled
“Careers Opportunities in Physiology: Taking the Next Step.” Four scientists
from a variety of sectors—academia, the pharmaceutical industry, private
philanthropic foundations, and medical journalism—spoke to an audience of
about 150 pre-doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. They gave an
overview of their jobs and responsibilities and also spoke about the
personal factors that led them towards these positions. There was much
discussion about the major advantages and disadvantages of being a scientist
in these various settings. Much of the session was dedicated to one-on-one
and small group discussions between the panelists and members of the
audience. The program was very well-received.
The APS Undergraduate Summer Research Fellow program is entering its
third year. Last year’s awardees attended the New Orleans EB meeting, with
several presenting posters on their research from last summer. This year, we
received another large number of excellent applications, and a new class of
12 awardees was granted research opportunities for this summer. Many of the
fellows are leaning towards a career in research, and it is our hope that
the research experience afforded them by this program will stimulate their
interest and commitment to this path.
Our new APS Careers Brochure is scheduled to be available this summer. It
is a handsome pamphlet that is informative for students between middle
school and college, and for the general public. This year, the Committee is
focusing on developing an outreach presentation package that APS members can
use to speak to school groups and the general public about physiology. The
package will consist of one or more PowerPoint presentation files that would
incorporate a variety of illustrations and informational slides about career
opportunities in physiology and the importance of physiological research.
The concept is that these files would contain slides appropriate for
different age groups, so that individual APS members could select the items
relevant for the specific topic and audience they were addressing. The
package will also contain slide templates so that each member can add his or
her own illustrations and text to fit the specific group that will be
addressed. It is hoped that these will be made available to APS members via
the APS web site.
We are also planning to develop the APS Careers web site as a resource
for students (from middle school right on through graduate school) and
recent graduates from physiology programs who are seeking to learn more
about educational programs and career opportunities in the physiological
sciences. APS members are encouraged to keep an eye on this page as it
develops and to recommend it to their students.
Francis L. Belloni, Chair
Council Actions
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Council accepted the report of the Career Opportunities in
Physiology Committtee.
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Council approved the Careers in Physiology Symposium at EB
2003.
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Council approved the continuation of the Summer
Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program for 2002 and agreed to fund up
to 12 fellowships in 2003.
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Council approved funding to obtain the services of a graphic
design specialist to develop and effective Careers web site.
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Council approved the funding for a fall Committee meeting in
Bethesda, MD.
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