CPA Session at IMMUNOLOGY 2016™
CPA Hosts Policy Session on “Hot Topics” at NIH
On May 14, the AAI Committee on Public Affairs (CPA) hosted a session at IMMUNOLOGY 2016™ entitled “Hot Topics in NIH Funding and Research Policy.” The well-attended session, which was chaired by CPA Chair Clifford V. Harding, M.D., Ph.D., featured presentations by three speakers who explored recent and upcoming changes at NIH, including efforts to enhance rigor and transparency in research and new funding mechanisms offered by several NIH institutes:
- Gail A. Bishop, Ph.D. (AAI ’84), Professor, University of Iowa: Challenges and Concerns from an Investigator’s Perspective
- Richard K. Nakamura, Ph.D., Director, NIH Center for Scientific Review: Peer Review and Grant Mechanisms at NIH: What is Changing?
- Richard J. Hodes, M.D. (AAI ’75), Director, National Institute on Aging (NIA), Analysis of Research Impact and Implications for Funding Policy
Bishop, a former AAI President and member of the CPA, discussed the ways in which investigators funded by NIH are confused and frustrated by new and ongoing policies. Nakamura and Hodes addressed many of these policies in their presentations, highlighting ways in which NIH is trying to alleviate investigators’ confusion by providing access to more training and resources, and by participating in events at scientific meetings and conferences. Nakamura encouraged junior scientists who have not yet had the opportunity to serve on a study section to participate in the Early Career Reviewer program, but noted that the program has a significant backlog of interested participants. Hodes addressed the $350 million funding increase that NIA received for research on Alzheimer’s disease in FY 2016 and stressed the relevance of immunology and inflammation to Alzheimer’s.
Guests of AAI Public Affairs mingle at a reception prior to the performance by The Capitol Steps
AAI Public Policy Fellows, AAI Leadership Gather for 5-Year Reunion
The CPA also hosted the 5-year reunion of the AAI Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP) at IMMUNOLOGY 2016™. All 50 Fellows who had completed the program, as well as the 10 newest Fellows who started the program on May 1, 2016, were invited to attend.
The event gave the Fellows the opportunity to see some of their former PPFP colleagues, meet others who have participated in the program, and chat with current and former members of the AAI Council and CPA. The largely informal event featured brief remarks by CPA Chair Clifford Harding.
Guests of AAI Public Affairs mingle at a reception prior to the performance by The Capitol Steps