Obama addressed the National Academy of Sciences today. That wooshing sound was the tremendous sigh of relief from the scientific community as we receive a mandate, and support, to become the best in world class research in all levels and all field. A few choice lines:
"Science is more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, our environment, and our quality of life than it has ever been before."
"Next, we are restoring science to its rightful place. On March 9th, I signed an executive memorandum with a clear message: Under my administration, the days of science taking a back seat to ideology are over. (Applause.) Our progress as a nation –- and our values as a nation –- are rooted in free and open inquiry. To undermine scientific integrity is to undermine our democracy. It is contrary to our way of life. (Applause.) "
The applause marks were in the text you can find here, but they may as well have been mine. It makes you think (bitterly)- what was the advantage of a president you felt like you could have a beer with?
The current funding situation in our department is sort of a bridge- funding for basic science research has been winding down, as likewise the apparent careers of some of our faculty. It is scary to see research faculty who have had relative stability for a decade be told they no longer have funding. Or a job. At the same time, faculty with money have been offered the chance to purchase large equipment form discretionary funds it if might signifigantly advance their research. So we are. Hopefully a few more years of this Heady Funding and we can return to the early NASA days the Obama fondly reminisces of.
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Since it is probably my obligation to my dear readers to help you understand the value of basic research, I think in full disclosure I should explain that I don't actually do basic research. Not these days. My current work is to find a new application (the treatment of my viruses), for FDA approved compounds. The direct clinical application (and also the fact that most people can understand this) is not basic research.
The other less popular (rarely talked about) part of my project is basic research. The question is so fundamentally detailed and focused that it isn't worth trying to explain here. And there isn't a clinical application for it - yet. If we can learn something new about how these viruses do what they do, it will likely give us future targets for therapies. But only if chemists and other people are allowed to play with the idea of building compounds that tuck neatly into proteins to specifically inhibit them- but not things that keep us healthy.
Maybe someday we'll have all the tools in place so that once you get a few clues about a new virus you just assemble a few things in your Build-A-Bear workshop and Blamm-0, cure for the common pandemic. Isn't THAT exciting?
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Micro-news: I am anxious to see the end of some experiments I am piloting this week. This will be a litmus test for the drugs I am working with, and then I am going to hand them off to my undergrad to repeat ad nauseum for error bars and such. One last chance to see this work.... Also, my undergrad will be back for the summer! Soon, I think. I actually have no idea where he is, but none of the undergrads were around today so I won't take it personal.
Matt has gotten back into mountain biking - 3 times in as many days. Hooray for fitness. I need to keep running so I can sign up for the Race for the Cure. Any one else Racing? I know you won't be with your mom, show her some love!
We just got back from hosting an awesome after work picnic: moral of the story, my co-workers are generally available for any idea I feel like putting together- and it only takes 2 emails. The next question is: Wine Tasting or Water Balloon fight?
Our AC units have been installed, and I am trying to suppress that feeling of survivalist panic that it will become too hot to do normal activities like wait for a bus or walk to the store. It isn't May yet!
Ceramics has started again! My teacher told me to bring some inspiration in since we are going to be doing some hand-building this go around. Anyone got some artistic I could borrow?
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Job security is good. Thanks Obama.
We just got some new stoneware at the Gallery - artist is from Bellingham and learned his craft at Western. I took some photos of my favorite pieces and will send them to you for inspiration.
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