Month: December 2021

Nominations for Honorary membership, 2022

Posted on by John Hawley

Nominations for 2022 Honorary membership are open and may be submitted through January 26, 2022, 11:59 pm Eastern. The ASCI bylaws provide the following guidance regarding nominations to Honorary membership:

Any distinguished person who has contributed significantly to the Society’s objectives, who has not been previously and unsuccessfully nominated for Active or International membership, and who enjoys an unimpeachable moral standing is eligible for nomination in this category. A nomination in this category may be proposed by any member (including members of the Council) in good standing, and must be accompanied by a list of the nominee’s achievements and a statement regarding the significance of the nominee’s contributions. The Council shall recommend to election a total not to exceed ten, which is separate from the limit for Active and International recommendations.

Proposers and supporters of nominations should carefully review the information below. Questions should be sent by email to staff@the-asci.org.

To ensure proper tracking of nominations, all information and documents must be supplied online.

To begin:

  • Access your member account.
  • In the “Nominations” area, see “Nominations for Honorary membership, 2022”.
  • Click “Start nomination” and follow the guidance to select your role (Proposer or General Supporter) and provide the nominee’s name.

Proposers:

Proposers are responsible for ensuring that all information provided for the nomination is accurate and complete. A Proposer may grant the nominee access to edit certain sections of the nomination, as detailed below.

The ASCI acknowledges and confirms a nomination by email after a review of the information supplied to ensure the nominee is eligible and that the nomination is complete.

Nomination sections:

  • About the nominee — nominee may edit this information.
  • Nominee’s demographic information — nominee may edit this information. The ASCI requests responses to 9 sections that will help provide the foundation for expanding diversity, fostering inclusion, and achieving equity in the ASCI. All response areas are voluntary, with a “Prefer not to answer” option available for each section. Anyone with access to person-specific information (such as ASCI leadership, members associated with review processes, and staff members) will be required to keep the information confidential. Depersonalized summary information of all response areas may be provided in periodic public reports.
  • Support for nomination — must be completed by the Proposer (only accessible to the Proposer). Proposers may attach General Supporters (limit of 3 per nomination) to the nomination by searching the ASCI member directory or by adding information for supporters who are not ASCI members.
  • Nominee’s institutional affiliation — nominee may edit this information
  • Documents — nominee may edit this information:
    • Full academic curriculum vitae, including full bibliography (with original research separated from other types of publications) and invited lectures. In the bibliography, ensure that the nominee’s name is presented in bold face.
    • NIH-style biographic sketch (5-page limit), following the current format available at:
      http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
      Information about current independent grant support, indicating clearly whether the nominee is a principal investigator, should be noted, so that the Council has standardized information regarding all nominees. Independent research support represents one of several criteria used in assessing independence.
    • PDFs of publications noted in “Most significant publications” section below.
  • Most significant publications —  nominee may edit this information. List the nominee’s 3 most significant publications, excluding those representing work done by the nominee as a trainee, and provide annotation for each (limit of 50 words) describing the publication’s key findings and significance. Present authors in the original publication sequence, with the nominee’s name in capital letters, followed by numbered notation of the nominee’s role in parentheses (1 for principal investigator, 2 for collaborator), title, journal name, volume, inclusive page numbers, and year. For example: John Q. Public and JANE DOE (1). Title. Journal. 1:1-10 (2015).
  • Seminal contribution —  nominee may edit this information. Summarize the nominee’s defining seminal contribution(s) and why this work forms the basis for the nomination. 75-word limit.
  • Proposer’s general statement on the nominee —  must be completed by the Proposer. In the Proposer’s own words, describe the quality, originality, and impact of the nominee’s scientific work and the consistency and importance of the nominee’s research theme. Include a statement on the level of independence from the nominee’s mentor(s) and the nominee’s productivity and stature in the field. 500-word limit. Proposers should expand upon the candidate’s seminal contribution(s), including the originality, novelty, and impact of this research on the field. Note any special circumstances (e.g., childbearing, personal or family illness) that influenced the candidate’s research activities. Information regarding major awards, invitations to give plenary lectures (especially at national and international meetings), and invitations to write chapters in major textbooks should be included as applicable — the quality and quantity of work are important factors.

General Supporters

The General Supporter who is an ASCI member should following the guidance above in the “To begin” section to complete a support form online. General Supporters who are not ASCI members may complete the nomination support template and email it to staff@the-asci.org for handling.

Call for nominations, 2022 Seldin~Smith Award

Posted on by John Hawley

The ASCI is pleased to call for nominations for the 2022 Donald Seldin~Holly Smith Award for Pioneering Research. The Award seeks to recognize and connect the next generation of physician-scientist leaders with the legacies of two of the ASCI’s most esteemed members, Drs. Donald W. Seldin and Lloyd H. “Holly” Smith Jr.

For the Award, the ASCI seeks nominations of outstanding physician-scientists who have demonstrated exceptional creativity and accomplishments in biomedical research. The ideal nominee:

  • is an early-stage, clinically active physician-scientist addressing fundamental questions that relate to human health and disease, and
  • shows great promise in biomedicine.

The recipient of the Seldin~Smith Award will receive an unrestricted grant of $30,000 to advance academic efforts. S/he will be recognized at the 2022 AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting, deliver a research talk at the 2023 Joint Meeting, and receive mentoring from the members of the Seldin~Smith Award Selection Committee and Advisory Committee.

Eligibility

  • MD (or the equivalent) or MD/PhD;
  • The candidate must be more than 2 years but not more than 6 years from first faculty (or the equivalent) appointment at the time of acceptance in April 2022;
  • The candidate spends substantial time in research while providing direct patient care.

This competition is not restricted to any geographic location.

Note that while those who are already ASCI members may be nominated (provided they meet the preceding eligibility criteria), we encourage nominations of those who are not yet members, in order to best represent the promise of early-stage physician-scientists that this award is intended to recognize.

Application

Physician-scientists should apply directly by sending nominations by email attachments to staff@the-asci.org.

  • Completed nomination form, including:
    • a summary of the nominee’s research (not to exceed 100 words)
    • a description of the nominee’s most significant achievement (not to exceed 500 words).
    • a list of the nominee’s three most significant publications and a short statement describing the significance of each publication (not to exceed 100 words each).
    • Nominee’s agreement, if chosen as the recipient, to attend the 2022 AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting (April 8-10) and the 2023 AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting (April 21-23).
  • PDFs of the nominee’s three most significant publications as listed in the nomination form.
  • Nominee’s curriculum vitae (PDF). Include only educational background, major awards, and peer-reviewed publications (do not include abstracts, grants, or meeting presentations).
  • No more than two letters of support (as PDFs), one from the nominee’s primary mentor, the other ideally from an individual who is a recognized expert on the subject of the nominee’s research.

Notable dates and selection process

  • Nomination deadline: February 3, 2022 (extended from January 26, 2022).
  • Recipient will be notified early March 2022.
  • Recipient will be recognized at the 2022 AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting, April 8-10.
  • Recipient will deliver a research talk at the 2023 AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting, April 21-23.

The Seldin~Smith Award Selection Committee reviews nominations and selects finalists for further consideration by the Seldin~Smith Award Advisory Committee.

Elizabeth McNally, MD, PhD, elected 2022-2027 JCI Editor-in-Chief

Posted on by John Hawley

 

Dr. McNally

Elizabeth McNally, MD, PhD, has been elected as the 2022-2027 Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI). She will succeed Rexford Ahima, MD, PhD, who has served as the journal’s Editor-in-Chief since July 2018. Dr. McNally’s term begins March 1, 2022.

Dr. McNally is the Director for the Center for Genetic Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. McNally studies inherited disorders that affect cardiac and skeletal muscle function. Her efforts have elucidated membrane-associated defects that disturb cellular integrity and repair mechanisms leading to the identification of therapeutic targets. Dr. McNally was elected to the ASCI in 2003 and served as President, 2011-2012. She was elected to the Association of American Physicians in 2006 and is serving as the 2021-2022 President. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine in 2021.

“The JCI publishes a broad range of molecular medicine, including new therapeutic mechanisms,” Dr. McNally said. “We have a tremendous depth of expertise here at Feinberg, and we will be drawing on our outstanding scientists to guide the Journal over these next 5 years. It’s really an honor for us at Northwestern and speaks to the growth we’ve had as a medical school.”

“I was honored to serve as Chair of the Editor Selection Committee, which devoted itself to selecting the best candidate to succeed Dr. Ahima and a long list of esteemed Editors-in-Chief,” said Sohail Tavazoie, MD, PhD, the ASCI’s 2021-2022 President-Elect. “I was particularly proud to be a part of the outstanding group who selected Dr. McNally, who will become the first woman to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of JCI.”

Dr. McNally’s Editorial Board will include Deputy Editors Hossein Ardehali, MD, PhD (elected to ASCI in 2012); Daniel Brat, MD, PhD (2014); Alfred George, Jr., MD (1998); Maha Hussain, MD; and Susan Quaggin, MD (2006). The following will serve as Associate Editors: Sarki Abdulkadir, MD, PhD (2017); Marisa-Luisa Alegre, MD, PhD (2006); Rishi Arora, MD (2020); Joe Bass, MD, PhD; Ankit Bharat, MBBS (2019); GR Scott Budinger, MD (2014); Serdar Bulun, MD (2003); Navdeep Chandel, PhD; Eugene Chang, MD (1992); Jaehyuk Choi, MD, PhD (2021); Richard D’Aquila, MD; Stephanie Eisenbarth, MD, PhD (2020); Amy Heimberger, MD, PhD (2011); Luisa Iruela-Arispe, PhD; Peng Ji, PhD; Igor Koralnik, MD (2008); Maciej Lesniak, MD (2018); Hidayatullah Munshi, MD (2012); Marcelo Nobrega, MD, PhD (2015); Guillermo Oliver, PhD; Puneet Opal, MD, PhD (2013); John Pandolfino, MD (2018); Sachin Patel, MD, PhD (2018); Laura Rasmussen-Torvik, PhD; Patrick Seed, MD, PhD; and Ali Shilatifard, PhD.

The ASCI thanks the members of the Editor Selection Committee for their service: Dr. Tavazoie, Chair (The Rockefeller University), Rexford S. Ahima, MD, PhD (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine), Kathleen L. Collins, MD, PhD (University of Michigan Medical School), Benjamin D. Humphreys, MD, PhD (Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis), Priscilla Hsue, MD (University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine), Martin G. Myers, Jr., MD, PhD (University of Michigan Medical School), M. Bishr Omary, MD, PhD (Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School), and Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, DPhil (University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine).

In November, the ASCI’s Active members were asked to vote on the recommendation of Dr. McNally as the 2022-2027 Editor in Chief. Following the bylaw’s Ballot Review Committee section, the results of the vote were received, reviewed, and verified by Priscilla Hsue (2021-2023 ASCI Secretary-Treasurer) and two Active members identified by random selection from ballots submitted and who agreed to audit the results. The ASCI thanks Ekihiro Seki, MD, PhD, and Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, MD, for their service as auditors.

Nominations for ASCI Council, 2022

Posted on by John Hawley

The Society seeks nominations for the following ASCI Council vacancies arising in 2022 (all terms begin and end in the spring):

  • Vice President (4-year term, 2022-2026),
  • Secretary-Treasurer Elect (3-year term, 2022-2025; first year is Councilor position, transitioning to Secretary-Treasurer for years 2 and 3), and
  • a Councilor position (3-year term, 2022-2025).

Members who will be 55 or younger in 2025 are eligible for nomination (self-nominations are not permitted). The Society strongly encourages members to consider diversity in identifying those suitable for nomination. Nominations may be submitted by any member and must be submitted by February 3, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST.

All Council members are expected to support the activities of and attend the ASCI annual meeting, and to participate in the general governance of the Society, including two in-person meetings (fall and spring, with the spring meeting occurring as part of the annual meeting) and conference calls (typically every other month). All Council members participate in the review of membership nominations.

The Vice President transitions to President-Elect in year 2, President in year 3, and Immediate Past President in year 4. For the 2nd through 4th years of this position, this member is expected to participate significantly in matters related to the annual meeting. In the Presidential year (year 3), the member convenes a face-to-face Council meeting and oversees related review processes for nominations, notably including those to membership. The President works closely with the Association of American Physicians to create the annual meeting program and presents the traditional Presidential Address at the meeting.

The Council is supported by an Executive Director, Managing Director, and other staff members who oversee the day-to-day operations of the Society and effect initiatives as directed by the Council. For details on Officers and Councilors, see the ASCI Bylaws.

The nominator is responsible for providing the following through her/his member account:

  • a 250-word summary of the nominee’s accomplishments
  • the nominee’s NIH-style brief biosketch (PDF)
  • the vacancy for which the nominee wishes to be considered

The nominee is responsible for providing a 250-word candidate statement, written in first person, for consideration by the Council and for use as the ballot statement if the nominee is selected as a candidate. The nominee must provide the statement by email to staff@the-asci.org by the deadline noted above. (Nominees may refer to candidate statements for the 2021 nomination cycle for guidance in drafting their own statements.)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee update — December 2021

Posted on by John Hawley
Dr. Paczesny

As we approach the first anniversary of the convening of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC), I am pleased to share with you the Committee’s accomplishments.

The ASCI bylaws state that the DEIC “ensures that the organization, its programs, and its mentoring mechanisms promote and recognize diversity, inclusion, and equity.”

With these goals in mind, the Committee has developed foundational documents, the first of which is intended to establish a common understanding of key terms. This text outlines the considerations underlying the definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and presents the term underrepresented in medicine and science (UiMS) in reference to populations that are underrepresented in medicine and science relative to their numbers in the general US population.

The second is the Society’s effort to collect detailed demographic information. We started this collection as part of the 2022 member nomination process  — our first data set. From here, we will endeavor to collect this information in all areas of the ASCI.

You can now provide your demographic details through your member account. The data collected will allow us to determine the current makeup of the Society’s populations, areas needing attention, and changes over time. Information will be kept confidential, and data will be deidentified for any reporting. All response areas are voluntary. We welcome your feedback (via staff@the-asci.org) and will incorporate changes as appropriate.

I look forward to bringing you news of further steps the Committee and the ASCI undertake in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Sincerely on behalf of the Committee,

Sophie Paczesny, MD, PhD
Chair, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee