Eye
On Washington Newsletter -
31 Dec.
The House Science Committee Agenda for the 111th
Congress, Obama’s Radio Address on the Role of Science,
lastest S&T appointments, S&T and the economic stimulus
package, latest TIMSS’ math/science scores, nanotechnology
safety, IEEE-USA Government Fellowships, and more. current
President Obama's Address on the Role of Science
In his Dec. 21 radio address, President-Elect Obama
introduces his new science and technology team, and
discusses the importance of science and innovation to the
future of our country.
more
NIST Seeks White Papers on Critical National Needs
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is
requesting detailed pitches for critical national and
societal needs that could be the basis for new competitions
for research funding under its Technology Innovation Program
(TIP).more
NRC Report Questions Adequacy of
Plans to Ensure Nanotech Safety
The National Academies newly released
report found serious weaknesses in the government's plan
for research on the potential health and environmental risks
posed by nanomaterials, which are increasingly being used in
consumer goods and industry. more
Holdren Expected to Be Named Science Advisor
The Washington Post and other sources are reporting that
President Obama will name engineer/physicist
John P. Holdren as the Special Assistant to the
President for Science and Technology and director of the
President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
A member of the National Academies, a former President of
the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and
Director of the Program on Science, Technology, and Public
Policy at the Kennedy School at Harvard, Holdren is a noted
expert on energy and climate. more
BLS Report Assesses Careers in Energy
A newly released report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
concludes that the size of the electric power industry
workforce is likely to decline by 2016, but that many new
opportunities will be available due to the Baby Boomer
retirements. Areas where demand will be especially high
include both nuclear power and renewable energy jobs. more
IEEE-USA Webinar: Engineers and Public Policy
IEEE-USA
continues its free webinar series through the end of the
year with Engineers and Public Policy (4 Dec.).
more
The Importance of
Defense Research:
The Science of Victory
IEEE-USA
Releases New Position Statements The IEEE-USA
Board of Directors approved the following new IEEE-USA
position statements at their November meeting:
Obama Names S&T Transition Team
President-Elect Barack Obama has named the team leads who
will assist the Administration's transition at key federal
departments and agencies including NASA, NSF and FCC. more
OECD Releases 2008 Science Outlook
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development’s (OECD) has released its Science, Technology
and Industry Outlook for 2008, which finds that member
nation spending on research is slowing and the distribution
is changing, with emerging economies seeing big jumps in R&D
spending. more
America COMPETES Funding Shortfalls Outlined A new
report from
the Congressional Research Service to Congress compares the
President's FY2009 budget request and current Congressional
appropriations for key S&T programs with the funding levels
authorized in the 2007 America COMPETES Act.
Calls for Papers for IEEE-USA Sponsored
Conferences
Papers addressing policy and social implications of
technology are encouraged:
DHS Releases H-1B Fraud and Compliance Assessment The
Department of Homeland Security has released a long-awaited
assessment of H-1B visa fraud, which concluded 21% of H-1b
visa petitions involve some degree of fraud or technical
violation, with fraud rates higher for petitions involving
bachelor's level jobs. more
Peha Named Chief Technologist to FCC Dr. Jon Peha
of Carnegie Mellon University, an IEEE member and former
IEEE-USA Congressional Fellow, has been named Chief
Technologist of the Federal Communications Commission. more
Hearing Looks at Cell Phone Usage and Tumor Concerns
On Sept. 23, the House Oversight Subcommittee on Domestic
Policy held a hearing to explore the topic of tumors and
long term cell phone usage.
more
House Resolution Recognizes 50th Anniversary
of Integrated Circuit On Sept.
22, the House of Representatives approved
H. Res. 1471, which honors the 50th anniversary of the
successful demonstration of the first integrated circuit and
its subsequent impact on the electronics industry. In
floor comments, Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX) said: “On
September 12th, 1958, in a Dallas lab of Texas Instruments,
Jack St. Clair Kilby gathered a small group of coworkers to
unveil a stunning achievement. ....This breakthrough, the
integrated circuit, has revolutionized the world. Jack
Kilby’s work, as well as fellow integrated circuit pioneers
Geoffrey Dummer and Robert Noyce, heralded the beginning of
an all encompassing transformation of modern society. Their
work paved the way for the modern electronics industry.
Electronic devices that once required a small building and
teams of engineers working round the clock, now fit neatly
in a pocket."
National Academy Offers Recommendations on S&T Appointments
for the New Administration
Recognizing the increasing importance of S&T to many of the
critical challenges facing the nation, the National Academy
of Engineers has released a report making recommendations to
the new Administration urging rapid appointment of key S&T
positions within the government, along with other steps
designed to improve the process and ensure candidates have
the requisite knowledge and experience.
more
IEEE-USA President's Column: Silver Tsunami Set to Hit U.S.
Aerospace and Defense Workforce
When the
first baby boomers began to apply for Social Security
benefits in late 2007, some people referred to it as the
leading edge of a "silver tsunami" that could overwhelm the
Social Security system. A similar tidal wave is set to
strike the U.S. aerospace and defense work force.
more
Accelerating Innovation in Biosciences
IEEE-USA
is co-sponsor of "Accelerating Innovation in 21st Century
Biosciences: Identifying the Measurement, Standards and
Technological Challenges," a conference to be held at the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), on
19-22 Oct. 2008. Space is limited and the registration
deadline is 10 Oct. The conference is hosted by the
NIST and the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute
(UMBI).
more issue
High-Tech Innovations Essential To Improve
Cost and Quality of Health Care
The United States should develop a comprehensive strategy on
the growing need for technological innovations to help
prevent the impending economic crisis in health care and to
improve the quality and convenience of care, according to a
report from the 2007 conference "Economic Strategy for
Health Care through Standards and Technologies," convened by
the Biotechnology Council and NIST with support from
IEEE-USA.more
NAE Proposes Key Messages to Improve
Public Awareness of Engineering
A recent
study by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)
recommends communications messages designed to improve the
public's understanding of engineering, as well as encourage
young people to consider engineering careers. IEEE's
2007 President Leah Jamieson participated in the Academy
study. more
Science
Committee Report Looks at Globalization
of R&D, Likely Consequences, and Policy Options
Summarizing a series of hearings held in 2007 to explore the
competitiveness and high-tech workforce implications of the
increaseing globalization of R&D, including the shift in
private sector R&D funding overseas. more
Silicon Valley Engineer Testifies before Congress on Need to
Retain Talented High-Tech Students and Professionals
Congress should make it easier for foreign graduate students
and engineers to remain in the United States, Silicon Valley
engineer and entrepreneur Lee Colby told a congressional
subcommittee at a 12 June hearing on Capitol Hill.
more
Alexander Proposes "Manhattan Project" For Clean
Energy
In a May 9th address at Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
Senator Lamar Alexander proposed “launching a 5-year
New Manhattan Project to put America firmly on the path to
clean energy independence within a generation.” more
Genetic Non-Discrimination Bill
Signed Into Law
Final Congressional passage and President signature of the
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) marks an important step toward obtaining
federal protections against the misuse of genetic
information. IEEE-USA joined with over 300 organizations
comprising the
Genetic Alliance to help encourage passage of this
legislation.
more
Maryland Repeals Computer Services Tax
As its
2008 legislative session came to a close, the Maryland
legislature
repealed a state-wide tax on computer services before
it could take effect. IEEE-USA supported efforts
by Maryland members to advocate in favor of the repeal,
including testimony by IEEE Region 2 Director John Dentler before the Maryland House Ways and Means
Committee. more
Eye
On Washington Newsletter -
31 Dec.
