Even among the exclusive group of scientists working at America's most prestigious research institutions, Günter Wagner, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale University, is something of a rare species. Given his position, you might think that a scientific career of more than 20 years in several areas of influential, cutting-edge research is not that unusual. Less common, though, is the breadth of intellectual outlook he has retained despite a general trend towards ever narrower specialization: "Like in the days of the giants, Günter is a polymath whose intellectual curiosity extends far beyond the scope of his immediate research interests," says Robert Leclerc, a researcher at the "Wagner Lab," his main research unit. Karen D. Crow, another Lab researcher, agrees: "Dr. Wagner is able to recall information from a developmental, biochemical, and evolutionary perspective to fully evaluate the merit of an idea."
bridges vol. 11, September 2006 / News from the Network: Austrian Researchers Abroad
In its "moves & milestones" section, bridgespresents career steps and other outstanding events in the professional lifes of Austrian scientists and scholars in the US and Canada.
Alexander Neumeister
was awarded the 2006 Bristol Myers Squibb Max Hamilton Memorial Prize by
the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmocologium (CINP). The
prize, which carries a cash award of $10,000, recognizes a young
scientist for outstanding contributions to psychopharmacology.
Neumeister
is associate professor of psychiatry at Yale University. He studies the
molecular and genetic bases of anxiety and mood disorders, especially
depression and panic disorder as well as post-traumatic stress
disorder, and has scientifically evaluated therapies for these
disorders.
recently
moved from Harvard University to Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, where she
assumed the position of professor of psychiatry. She will continue her
research into the molecular mechanisms of brain function.
bridges vol. 11, September 2006 / News from the Network: Austrian Researchers Abroad
by Christian Hederer
Life sciences today are allegedly among the most innovative
research sectors and exhibit excellent economic potential. However, the
interface between research and business application is often
problematic; scientists sometimes lack the skills and/or incentives to
take their innovations to the market, and may not have a good overview
of possibilities for obtaining support services and grants. The need to
overcome these obstacles, and to support the establishment of a
sustainable biotechnology sector in Austria, was the motivation for
instituting LISA (Life Sciences Austria) as a central consulting and
coordination device.
LISA is located within the Austrian
Economic Services Society (austria wirtschaftsservice Gmbh; aws).
Activities on the federal level are complemented by initiatives on the
provincial level, notably in Vienna (LISA Vienna Region), Styria, and
the Tyrol. The services portfolio includes the following main
activities:
Financing in the preseed and seed phase
Support in devising business plans
Market research
Intermediation of cooperation partners and financiers
Business education for scientists.
As
of now, the Austrian Life Sciences sector appears to be well
established, and commands a considerable international reputation. For
example, Vienna has become an important location for research
activities by large international players such as Baxter, Novartis, and
Boehringer. In view of this successful record, bridges asked Dr.
Michaela Fritz, specialist for finance at the AWSG and executive
director of LISA Vienna Region, about LISA's current activities and its
challenges for the future.
bridges: In the understanding of LISA, which areas does "Life Sciences" include?
Michaela
Fritz: There are several definitions of "Life Sciences" available, but
we would limit it to the fields of pharma, biotech, bioinformatics, and
medical technology, focusing on those projects with a high level of
innovative R&D activities.
The New State-of-the-Art Stem Cell Research Facility at UC Davis: an Interview with Austrian Lab Director Gerhard Bauer
bridges vol. 11, September 2006 / News from the Network
by Caroline Adenberger
UC Davis is currently in the process of renovating approximately 100,000 square feet of space in a building on Stockton Boulevard, part of the UC Davis Health System campus in Sacramento. The complex will be the home of the new state-of-the-art stem cell research facility of UC Davis.
After completion, the facility will include custom-designed testing and manufacturing laboratories that meet the strict US Food and Drug Administration requirements and are certified for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
Since very few universities have their own GMP labs, this new facility might become an irresistible incentive for scientists as well as students and research partners to participate in the new stem cell research programs at UC Davis.
bridges vol. 11, September 2006 / News from the Network
The OST network of Austrian scientists & scholars abroad was
established by the Office of Science & Technology (OST) at the
Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC, and focuses on the outreach of
government-related agencies to Austrian scientists in North America.
Its main objective has been to support the scientific community with
information and specific advice wherever necessary and requested.
Encouraged by the OST, an independent association - ASciNA (Austrian
Scientists and Scholars in North America) - was founded in 2002 with
local chapters being established all over the US and Canada. For
further information about ASciNA please visit www.ascina.at.
ASciNA Activities
ASciNA President Eva Schernhammer announced that the most recent board
meeting of ASciNA took place on September 24, 2006, in New York,
following the Austrian Science Talks that were held the preceding day
at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square in New York City.
ASciNA Pacific North Contact: Julius Halaschek-Wiener at pacific.north(at)ascina.at
The ASciNA Pacific North (Vancouver) chapter organized, in mid-August, an overnight camping/hiking trip to the beautiful mountains north of the famous Whistler ski resort (host
of the 2010 Winter Olympics). Seven brave ASciNAtInnen (plus two unborn
babies!) traveled far, carried their camping gear up to the Semaphore
Lakes, endured the abundant mosquitoes and the chilly night. People
either ventured in the vicinity of the (base)camp or climbed two nearby
peaks (Locomotive and Face mountains).
It was a great and very
enjoyable weekend. Everybody had a grand time with terrific weather
during the day and cloudless skies with hundreds of shooting stars at
night.
A regular chapter meeting in Vancouver will be organized again in mid-September.
Date, time, and location will be posted on the ASciNA web page.
Michaela
Fritz: There are several definitions of "Life Sciences" available, but
we would limit it to the fields of pharma, biotech, bioinformatics, and
medical technology, focusing on those projects with a high level of
innovative R&D activities.
