Schedule is subject to change due to speaker commitments. Please check back often for updates. All sessions will be held in the Nebraska Union, except where indicated. Click on speaker names for biographical information.
The EPSCoR Program at NSF Henry Blount, Head, Office of Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) at NSF
The National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is designed to fulfill the NSF’s mandate to promote scientific progress nationwide. The EPSCoR program directs its resources at those states that have historically received lesser amounts of NSF research and development (R&D) funding. Twenty-five states (including Nebraska), one commonwealth, and one U.S. territory currently participate. Through this program, NSF establishes partnerships with government, higher education and industry designed to effect lasting improvements in a state’s or region’s research infrastructure and R&D capacity, hence improving its national R&D competitiveness.
Regency B
Intersecting Art, Science and Technology Daniel Collins, Professor of Intermedia, Director of PRISM lab, Arizona State University
Dr. Collins will discuss:
The PRISM lab at ASU, focusing on 3D visualization and prototyping, including an technical overview of the areas of 3D data capture, modeling, and prototyping. He’ll also explain how the lab has fostered partnerships with discipline specialists across the university to co-author federal grants and conduct research.
SkySong, an ASU "industry-university" partnership--for which he is co-developing an exciting new 2000 square foot space for art, design, technology, gaming, and interaction design.
The Interactive Watershed, his Ph.D. work in progress that may be of special interest to visual ethnographers, GIS specialists and environmental sculptors.
10:30-10:45 a.m.
Break
10:45-11:45 a.m.
Regency A
Social, Behavioral & Economic Science Funding Opportunities at NSF Frank Scioli, Senior Science Advisor, Division of Social and Economic Sciences at NSF
Regency B
Science for Global Health Research: The Future is Now James Herrington, Director, Division of International Relations, Fogarty International Center at NIH
Dr. Herrington’s presentation will briefly review data on the global burden of disease; projections on global health research needs; the structure and function of the National Institutes of Health, including extramural grant awards and intramural research investments; and conclude with a description of the Fogarty International Center’s people, programs, and training and research opportunities.
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Lunch on your own
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Heritage
How Survey Methodology is Changing Don Dillman, Director, Social Sciences Research Center, Washington State University
The general theme of Dr. Dillman's talk will be the turbulence experienced in designing high quality surveys and the research needed to lead us past this challenging era. He will focus on critical issues now facing designers and users of sample surveys, including the increasing popularity – and in some cases, necessity – of mixed-mode surveys; changes needed in survey design practices for sample surveys to work well; difficulties surveyors now face with changing coverage for landline telephones and low telephone response rates; difficulties getting web surveys to work as a replacement methodology for surveying the general public and certain other populations; and the emergence of aural vs. visual communication as a major issue influencing the collection of equivalent data from different survey modes.
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Regency A
Opportunities and Challenges in Obtaining NSF Research Grants Parag Chitnis, Acting Deputy Director, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences at NSF
Introduction to NSF, including budget outlook for 2008 and 2009; funding opportunities and answers to questions: How are NSF proposals reviewed? How to prepare competitive research proposals for NSF?
Regency B
Transforming Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Learning: Issues and Opportunities Joan Ferrini-Mundy, director of the NSF's Division of Elementary, Secondary and Informal Education, in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources
Dr. Ferrini-Mundy will describe directions and themes in NSF's Directorate for Education and Human Resources; programs and potential in the NSF/EHR Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings; transformative research and practice in STEM education; and the key themes and implications for change in the recently released "Foundations for Success: The Report of the National Mathematics Panel."
2:30-2:45 p.m.
Break
2:45-3:45 p.m.
Regency A
A Candid Chat About Digital Humanities Opportunities at the NEH Brett Bobley, Chief Information Officer, Director of the Digital Humanities Initiative at NEH
Brett Bobley will be on hand to discuss: digital humanities grant programs; tips and suggestions on what makes a great application; how the NEH peer review process works; and the future of digital humanities at the NEH, including new projects and programs in the works.
Regency B
Behavioral and Social Science Research Opportunities at NIH Dana Sampson, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research at NIH
Ms. Sampson will discuss research her division supports, her division's priorities and strategic plan, and funding opportunity announcements on health disparity and community based participatory research.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Regency A, B, C
Continental Breakfast: What Every Researcher Needs to Know about Managing Research at UNL Research Administration Panel Complimentary coffee and continental breakfast meeting for faculty and staff who are interested in learning more about research administration at UNL, including sponsored programs, technology development, research responsibility, proposal development and our new research administration training program (NURAMP). Please register in advance at http://researchfair.unl.edu/researchbreakfast.php
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Regency A, B, C
Postdoctoral Seminar: The Postdoc Compact and You This event was made possible through an award by the National Postdoctoral Association Trevor Penning, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
A productive, collaborative relationship between the postdoc and supervisor must include communicating clear expectations and defining roles. This session addresses the effectiveness of using such nationally recognized tools as the Individual Development Plan (IDP) and the AAMC Compact to establish a mutually beneficial working relationship. Dr. Penning’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion involving UNL faculty and administrators and Q/A. Please register in advance at http://researchfair.unl.edu/postdoc_training.php
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Regency A, B, C
Luncheon for Seminar Attendees: The Scientific Workforce: Career Trajectories Reconsidered Trevor Penning, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
After addressing national trends in postdoctoral training, including funding agencies’ emphasis on the importance of mentorship, Dr. Penning will provide an overview of the changing demographics of the scientific work force, the career trajectories in light of these demographics, and the value of thinking broadly about careers after the postdoctoral experience. Please register in advance at http://researchfair.unl.edu/postdoc_training.php
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Heritage Room
Funding Opportunities at USDA Gale Buchanan, Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, USDA
An overview of current and upcoming funding opportunities for agricultural research.
Planning and Preparing for Graduate School: A Workshop for Undergraduates Richard Lombardo, UNL Office of Graduate Studies
If you're an undergraduate thinking about applying to graduate school next year, or even three years from now, attend this workshop and learn ten steps you can take to prepare for graduate school. We’ll review the application process, discuss the criteria admissions committees use to evaluate applicants, and create an action plan you can use to get started. By the end of this session, you should be able to identify the steps you need to take to get into the graduate school of your choice. Register at: http://graduate.unl.edu/rsvp/planprep
