Exercise and Environmental Physiology (EPP) Secretary Report
Experimental Biology
2002 Meeting, American Physiological Society (APS), New Orleans, LA., April
19 to April 24 2002.
Overview:
1.
The following is a report on of the EEP activities at Experimental
Biology 2002 Meeting. The activities included, EEP Program Meeting, EEP
Steering Committee meeting, Business Meeting, Awards Banquet, 189 poster
presentations, two symposia, two featured topics, Adolph Lecture (Peter
Wagner, University. California at San Diego), and two student luncheons.
Program Meeting:
1.
On 19 April (Friday) the EEP Steering Committee met (Hilton Riverside
Hotel, Trafalgan Room) to develop the EEP program for 2003 Experimental
Biology meeting in New Orleans, LA. Attendees were Clark Blatteis (Chair),
Kevin Kregel, Harold Laughlin, Tim Musch, Mark Olfert, Mike Sawka and Andy
Young.
2.
Two symposia and two featured topics were selected. Symposia #1:
“The Chronobiological Environment of Mammals”, by Roberto Refinetti
(University. South Carolina). Symposia #2: “Magnetic Resonance: Unique
Non-Invasive Insights into the Physiology of Exercise”, by Russ Richardson
and Mark Olfert (University. California – San Diego). Featured Topic #1:
“Central Neurons and Efferent Pathways Controlling Thermoregulation”, by
Jack Boulant (Ohio State University.). Featured Topic #2: Theraputic
Potential of Hypothermia: Bridging the Gap Between Clinical and Basic
Thermoregulatory Research”, by Chris Gordon (US Environmental Protection
Agency).
3.
The 2003 Experimental Biology (Washington, DC) program was discussed
and the EEP Steering Committee wants to be more proactive in developing
symposia and featured topics. The 2005 Experimental Biology (San Diego)
meeting will be held in conjunction with the International Union of
Physiological Sciences (IUPS). The APS and IUPS will have a combined
meeting requiring considerable coordination so the program will be developed
almost 1 year early. It was discussed that this will be an excellent
opportunity to organize international symposia.
4.
Two possible future conferences were discussed. Ron Terjung’s
proposal for an “Integrative Biology of Exercise” conference (Fall 2004) was
to be reviewed by the APS Joint Program Committee later that week. This
conference will focus on skeletal muscle regulation, remodeling, adaptations
and performance. A possible APS Conscientious Conference on the “Humane and
Ethical Treatment of Animals” was also discussed.
Steering Committee Meeting:
1.
On 22 April (Monday) the EEP Steering Committee met (Hilton Riverside
Hotel, Chequers Room) to discuss business issues. Attendees were Clark
Blatteis, Kevin Kregel, Harold Laughlin, Gary Mack, Tim Musch, Mark Olfert,
Mike Sawka, Charles Tipton (Acting EEP Chair) and Andy Young. Chair, Ken
Baldwin was absent due to illness.
2.
The results of the recent elections were announced and Scott Powers
(Exercise Councilor; University. Florida) and Gary Mack (Thermal Councilor;
Yale University.) will replace Harold Laughlin (University. Missouri) and
Mike Sawka (USA Res. Instit. Env. Med.), respectively. Also, Gary Mack will
replace Mike Sawka as EEP Secretary / Treasurer. It was announced that Mike
Sawka was Chair-elect to replace Clark Blatteis (University. Tenn. –
Memphis) as EEP representative on the Joint Program Committee. It was
agreed the Student Councilor position on the Steering Committee would be
designated as Trainee Councilor in order to include appointments of
post-doctoral fellows.
5.
The EEP Program Committee meeting was discussed. It was noted that
EEP Section had 189 abstracts at the 2002 EB meeting. Student Awards were
discussed and it was agreed to modify the application form. Plans for the
2003 Experimental Biology and 2005 IUPS meeting were discussed. It was
noted that for the 2004 Experimental Biology meeting APS has a theme of
“Oxidative Stress”.
6.
Dr. Jere Mitchell (Texas, Southwestern Medical School) was selected
as the 2003 Adolph Lecturer. Dr. John Greenleaf (NASA Ames) was selected as
the 2003 EEP Honor Award recipient. Possible nominees for the Cannon
Lecture, Dagg Award, and Bowditch Lecture were discussed. Discussions were
held regarding the development of a more formalized process for selection of
award recipients.
7.
The EEP Financial Report indicated $17.2 K as the present balance.
The EEP section had substantial financial contributions from Gatorade and US
Army Medical Research and appreciation was expressed.
Business Meeting:
1.
On 22 April (Monday) the EEP Business meeting was held for the
general membership (Hilton Riverside Hotel, Chequers Room). The meeting was
attended by ~40 members and chaired by Charles Tipton. Reports were given
by Clark Blatteis (program) and Mike Sawka (financial). The issues discussed
in the preceding paragraphs were presented.
2.
It was noted that section members Barbara Horwitz was APS President
Elect and that Elsworth Buskirk won the prestigious APS Daggs award. Charly
Tipton encouraged students and mentors to apply for all EEP Awards as funds
are available to support this program. Recognition Awards were presented to
Brad Behnke (Kansas State University.), Scott Kirton (Arizona State
University.), Brad Wilkins (University. Oregon) and Keith Wilkerson (Texas
A&M University).
3.
Kevin Kregel reported that the APS Animal Care Committee was
addressing the concern of the EEP Steering Committee on the clinical and
humane exercising of animals by encouraging NIH to have a Consensus
Conference to address this and other procedures affecting the welfare of
animals. Once completed, the recommendations would be used as guidelines
for institutions and for journal editors in approving protocols or for
publishing research findings.
4.
Gary Sieck, editor of the Journal of Applied Physiology (JAP),
presented a status report for that journal. He stated that JAP had a 47%
rejection rate that is going to be increased to a target of 55-60%. The
time from submission to first decision was 30 days. The journals
performance regarding several indices (Impact Factor, Cited Half-Life, On
Line Hits) was discussed. The Highlighted Topic Series and New JAP Homepage
were discussed.
5.
Frank Booth provided a written and verbal report on the efforts of
Researchers Against Inactivity Related Diseases (RID) group. In May 2001,
he and 40 exercise scientists visited Capital Hill and met with numerous
Congressional Staff members. Dr. Booth believes that RID efforts have
positively influenced Senate Bill #1535 to include language regarding
inclusion of scientists with whole body expertise on NIH peer review
panels. He reviewed RID efforts regarding persuading NIH to include
scientists involved in inactivity/activity related research on NIH Study
Sections. He urged interested EEP members to join RID.
6.
Charles Tipton reported the EEP (grass root) initiative on APS
supporting the scheduling of Sectional meetings and conferences did not
receive Council support, in part, because the funds requested ($2K) were
higher than allocations given to regional chapters ($1K). He indicated that
the sections would try more focused initiatives (student presentations),
lower support ($1K), and endorsements by other sections (e.g., Comparative,
Teaching).
7.
Richard Grindeland (NASA-Ames) informed the section that animal
research on the International Space Station (ISS) would be curtailed until
2011 or longer because of cost overruns associated with its construction.
However, the Russian government is interested in reactivating the BION
program which would contain yearly flights of animals (~64 rats per flight)
with a duration of 35-75 days per flight. He requested EEP to write a
letter to NASA officials encouraging them to support Russian program as a
means to continue animal research until ISS is operational for animal
experiments. The members of the section endorsed this request and
instructed the Chairperson to write such a letter. President-elect Horwitz
indicated the letter should be forwarded to Council for their awareness and
endorsement.
Awards Banquet:
1.
On 23 April (Tuesday) the EEP Section Banquet was held at Hilton
riverside Hotel, Salon 4. The banquet was attended by ~65 persons. The EEP
Honor Award recipient (David Robertshaw, Cornell University.), APS Dagg
Award recipient (Elsworth Buskirk) and APS president Elect (Barbara
Horowitz) were recognized. The Military Physiology Awards recipients
(Graduate Student Award: Joshua Rodman, University. Wisconsin; Post-Doc
Award: Hannah Zhang, University. Iowa) Gatorade Young Investigator Award
recipients (Graduate Student: John-Phillip Hyatt, UCLA; Post-Doc Award:
James Stoppani (Yale University.) were recognized. The important financial
contributions of Gatorade and US Army Medical Research to EEP were noted.
After dinner, Dr. Robertshaw gave an entertaining talk entitled “Cavorting
with Camels: Lessons in Thermoregulation From Comparative Physiology”.
Student Luncheons:
1.
On April 23 and 24 (Tuesday and Wednesday) student luncheons (13 per
luncheon) were held for graduate / post-doctoral students to meet with Dr.
Peter Wagner (Adolph Lecturer). The luncheons featured discussions between
Dr. Wagner and students regarding careers in physiology. Topics included
academic training, job expectations / opportunities, research trends and
factors that lead to a successful career in physiology.
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