ebAWIS May Chapter Meeting – May 24th at Novartis, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Understanding and Controlling RNA-protein Complexes Involved in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

Presented by Professor Anne Baranger, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Chemistry,
Faculty Assistant for Teaching and Learning, &
Adjunct Professor of Chemistry

On The Horizon

Launch Your Summer with the ebAWIS Social at Pyramid: June 12th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

July Chapter Meeting at Novartis: July 26th, 2012 6:30-8:30 pm –

Join us for our Summer Science Event

Poh Teng will share some tips on Yoga for Lab Rats

Then enjoy a presentation by Charlotte Smith, PhD, on Water Safety:
Survival of Pathogenic E. coli after Ingestion by Tetrahymena

Professor Anne Baranger, PhD
Director of Undergraduate Chemistry,
Faculty Assistant for Teaching and Learning, &
Adjunct Professor of Chemistry

Thursday, May 24, 2012, 6:30-8:30 pm

Myotonic dystrophy is the most prevalent form of muscular dystrophy and its two forms (DM1 and DM2) affect approximately 1 in 8000 people. These diseases cannot be cured, and there are no treatment options that delay disease progression. Both diseases are caused by large expansions of repeated sequences of DNA, which is transcribed into long repeated sequences of RNA. These RNAs are toxic, as a number of cellular proteins associate with them and as a result, these proteins are not available to perform their normal functions. Chief among these proteins is muscleblind-like protein (MBNL).  In healthy cells, MBNL controls the correct expression of proteins that are important for a number of processes including relaxing muscles after contraction and insulin regulation. We have investigated the binding specificity, thermodynamics, and kinetics of the MBNL1 protein for toxic repeat RNA sequences and normal RNA target sites. We have also identified small molecules that will associate with the toxic repeat RNA and release MBNL.                                                                                

Anne Baranger received a B.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University. She joined the Wesleyan University chemistry faculty in 1996, the University of Illinois chemistry faculty in 2006, and the University of California, Berkeley chemistry faculty in 2011. At the University of Illinois, she was Associate Head of the Department, Director of Graduate Studies, and was a Chancellor’s Fellow in the I-STEM Education Initiative. At UC Berkeley, she is Director of Undergraduate Chemistry and a Faculty Assistant for Teaching and Learning.

Thursday, May 24, 2012, 6:30-8:30 pm

Light supper^* and networking 6:30pm – 7:00pm

NOTE: Registering w/ Eventbrite will say FREE, however fee will be collected at the door

$5 / members, $10 / non-members

Register at:  http://ebawismaychapter2012.eventbrite.com

Location: Novartis  5400 Hollis St, Building X-310 Emeryville, CA

Park in front of building – Directions here

Non Scientists and Men Welcome

East Bay AWIS March Chapter Meeting – March 22, 6:30-8:30 pm

Inhibition of tumor invasiveness and metastasis by combined c-Met and VEGF blockade

Barbara Sennino, PhD   
UCSF

Most angiogenesis inhibitors used in the treatment of cancer block the actions of VEGF, a cytokine that promotes blood vessel growth and survival.  Treatment with the monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab, usually administered in combination with chemotherapy, delays progression and prolongs survival of some patients, yet many tumors eventually progress. Preclinical studies have shown that inhibition of VEGF signaling promotes invasiveness and metastasis in some tumor models. The mechanism underlying this form of resistance is not fully understood, but vascular pruning, intratumoral hypoxia, and increased expression of c-Met, the tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), could be contributing factors. We asked whether selective VEGF inhibition is sufficient to increase invasion and metastasis and whether selective c-Met inhibition is sufficient to block this effect. We found that hypoxia, HIF-1alpha, and c-Met mRNA, protein, and phosphorylation were increased in spontaneous pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors treated with a function-blocking anti-VEGF antibody.  Importantly, invasion and metastasis accompanying anti-VEGF therapy were blocked by administration of c-Met inhibitors. These results show that selective inactivation of VEGF reduces tumor growth but can lead to greater invasiveness and metastasis in mice.  However, inhibition of VEGF and c-Met together not only slows tumor growth but also decreases tumor invasiveness and liver metastasis and prolongs host survival.

Dr. Barbara Sennino is a cancer and vascular biologist. She earned her PhD in Italy and then joined the laboratory of Dr. Donald McDonald at UCSF. Her research has been focused on tumor angiogenesis and the cell-to-cell signaling and growth factor crosstalk between blood vessels and tumor cells. Over the past few years her interest has been centered on elucidating mechanisms by which tumor cells become invasive and metastasize to other organs and how these processes are affected by anti-angiogenic therapy. In collaboration with academic groups and pharmaceutical companies, she is currently studying the mechanisms underlying tumor regression and therapeutic resistance with the goal of guiding the development of novel therapeutic targets that can prevent and stop tumor cell aggressiveness and dissemination.

When:  March 22, 2012  6:30-8:30 pm

Light supper provided

Where:  Novartis,  5400 Hollis St, Building X-310 Emeryville, CA

Directions ,  Free Parking in front of building

Register  at http://ebawismarchsennino.eventbrite.com
$5/members  $10/nonmembers  to be collected at door

Scientists and Science Enthusiasts, Men and Women,  Members and Non-members Welcome!

****Thank you to E & K Scientific for In-kind Support of this Event****

Build Flexibility and Energy into your Career

Susan Bernstein, PhD, Work From Within

Future Proof Your Career: Building Flexibility to Navigate Changes

Learn how to navigate the future of work and create the calm, clarity, confidence and connection needed to thrive in the new economy. Prepare yourself for the inevitable changes in your professional career. Our world is changing quickly and familiar jobs are becoming obsolete. Now, instead of going to work, work often comes to us. The Millennial Generation grew up on technology, and is forcing us to use it more wisely and creatively. At the same time, we’re living in a time when the environment is increasingly polluted and resource-depleted. With all these changes, what do you need to know to make your career a success?

• The five major trends that will dictate your professional future
• Three conflicts that will have tremendous impact on your work — and your family/personal life
• Four key strategies you can adopt right now to be future-proof and flexible
• Techniques for creating calm, clarity, confidence and connection

Susan Bernstein, MBA, PhD is a consultant on the future of work, specializing in the human performance issues involved in major transitions. A veteran of management consulting, marketing, and executive development roles at companies like Intel, Accenture, and Franklin-Covey, Susan is keenly aware of the pressures in today’s workforce. As a strategist and an MBA, she is able to look into the future and see emerging trends. And with a PhD in the cutting-edge field of Somatic Psychology, she is able to help guide professionals through organizational transformation. She received her MBA at the University of California, Berkeley and her PhD from the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.

Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter, PhD, Peak Performance Plan

“OLYMPIC THINKING” Strategies for High Energy, Productivity, and Balance 

This program, “Your Performing Edge “will give you a complete system with mindset tools and results-driven solutions to increase your energy, drive productivity, and enhance your performance under pressure. You will walk away with a powerful experience along with tools and resources for managing daily demands and strengthening your mind and body to be more resilient, to perform well, and to create inner balance under the most highly demanding work conditions. Learn leadership skills you can apply immediately:

• Your Gold Medal Mindset for Success – Olympic Thinking Tools
• Your Performing Edge – 3 P’s: Positive images, Power words, Present focus
• How to Build a Healthy, Balanced Lifestyle Professionally and Personally
• Visualize to Energize:  Confidence and Focus to Break through Barriers to Success

Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter is a world renowned performance coach to OLYMPIC Gold Medalists and CEOs, a sports psychologist, President of Performing Edge Coaching International, and author of 17 books including the national bestseller “Your Performing Edge.” Dr. JoAnn is an in-demand Stanford Olympic Keynote Speaker, winner of the San Francisco Marathon and 2^nd woman in the World Championship Hawaii Ironman Triathlon. Her clients and audiences include Fortune 500 top executives and multi-national corporations, NASA scientists, surgeons, coaches and professional athletes. Dr. JoAnn is a frequent TV expert commentator on ABC, NBC, BBC, and Fox News.  In addition, Dr. JoAnn provides performance psychology consulting, customized corporate training and coach certification programs to reach your highest potential in business, sports, fitness and life.

Saturday, February 4, 2012, 9:00am- 2:00pm

***Please dress comfortably to participate in Dr. Susan Bernstein’s Tai Chi exercises***

Fee: $45 members, $55 non-members through 1.31.2012, $60 after 1.31.2012 and at the door.

Registration fee includes breakfast and lunch  

***INCLUDED FOR FIRST 70 TO REGISTER ARE COMPLEMENTARY COPIES OF DR. JOANN DAHLKOETTER’S BESTSELLER YOUR PERFORMING EDGE  ***

**REGISTER HERE**

Location: Bio-Rad, 225 Linus Pauling, Suite D, Hercules, CA 94547

Parking is in front of the Building

***Click Here for DIRECTIONS***

Non-scientists and men are welcome!

ebAWIS is a nonprofit organization and fees are collected only to cover our expenses

An Evening of Networking

­An entire Chapter meeting devoted to networking!  Our venue will guide you through a review of networking strategies; then, effective networking games that introduce you to many people will offer you the opportunity to:

• Meet scientists as well as professionals interested in an affiliated career if you are job searching
• Enhance your contacts if you are established in your present position
• Polish presentation skills before the interview
• Gather invaluable feedback about yourself in a friendly, fun, and informal environment
  

Light Dinner and Networking at 6:30 pm

Structured Program at 7:00 pm

Thursday, January 26, 2012

NOTE: Registering w/ Eventbrite will say free; however, fee will be collected at the door

Fee: $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

**REGISTER HERE**

Location: Novartis, 5400 Hollis St, Building X-310 Emeryville, CA

Parking is in front of the Building

***Click Here for DIRECTIONS***

ebAWIS is a nonprofit organization and the fee covers cost of food

Scientists and Science Enthusiasts, Men and Women are Welcome!

Meetings are open to non-AWIS members

Job Search

Mauri Schwartz

President, Career Insiders

Mauri Schwartz is a leading figure in the San Francisco Bay Area career management community. Working with companies requiring outplacement services as well as individual job seekers, she has an outstanding success rate in helping clients achieve their career goals. She has been a featured speaker at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Alumni events, at Opportunity Knocks/YNPNsfba Nonprofit Career Conferences, and has been interviewed on KRON Channel 4.

You cannot conduct a successful job search these days without knowing how to use LinkedIn effectively! It’s not enough to post your resume on the Internet and wait for a response.   Find out how to:

•  Learn to use technological tools to attain your professional goals and cultivate relationships to enhance your job search
• Learn to grab the attention of the hiring manager
•  Identify which tools to select, how to apply them, and what to say

In this interactive workshop, you will learn the nuanced components of effective networking for many aspects of business, not just for the purpose of looking for a job.

Saturday, November 5, 2011    9:30am- 12:00 noon

Light breakfast and networking

NOTE: Registering w/ Eventbrite will say free; however, the fee will be collected at the door

Fee: $10 to cover the cost of food

**REGISTER HERE**

Location: Bio-Rad, 225 Linus Pauling, Suite D, Hercules, CA 94547

Parking is in front of the Building

***Click Here for DIRECTIONS***

East Bay Association of Women in Science is a nonprofit organization

welcoming  non-scientists and men

Mara Jeffress, Ph.D.

Career and Professional Development Coach and “Career Talk” Columnist for AWIS National Magazine

Mara Jeffress is a professional consultant and past ebAWIS President. She has taught time management and professional development workshops for the past 20 years and is in the process of launching a professional coaching business. Mara is passionate about helping others to reach their potential and find work that they truly love.

• Do you feel overwhelmed by too much responsibility?
• Do you have a hard time saying “No?”
• Do you feel that work is taking over your life?

Attend the AWIS Work-Life-Balance workshop to bring balance back to your life.

You will come away with the ability to define for yourself what work-life satisfaction is and is not.
You will be able to identify 7 keys to achieving and maintaining work-life satisfaction.
You will be able to develop an action plan that can be implemented immediately and/or in the future.

Saturday, October 1, 2011, 10:00am- 12:00 noon
Light breakfast and networking
NOTE: When registering w/ Eventbrite, it will say FREE, however the fee will be collected at the door.
Fee: $5 for members, $10 for non-members.
**REGISTER HERE**
Location: Bio-Rad, 225 Linus Pauling, Suite D, Hercules, CA 94547
Parking is in front of the Building
***Click Here for DIRECTIONS***
ebAWIS is a nonprofit organization and the fee covers cost of food
NON-SCIENTISTS and MEN ARE WELCOME!

Microfluidics in Next Gen Proteomics

Amy E. Herr, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley

Amy E. Herr received her BS degree from Caltech and her MS (1999) and PhD (2002) degrees from Stanford in Mechanical Engineering. At UC Berkeley, her research focuses on instrumentation innovation to advance quantitation in life sciences and clinical problems.  Translational impact of her research program spans from tools for fundamental research (cell signaling) to near-patient disease diagnostics. Her major awards include the NIH New Innovator Award (2010-15), the NSF CAREER Award (2011), the Eli Lilly & Co. New Investigator Award in analytical chemistry, the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2010-12, chemistry), the DARPA Young Faculty Award (2009-11), the 2009 Hellman Family Faculty Fund Award from UC Berkeley, and the 2008 Regents’ Junior Faculty Fellowship from UC.  In 2007 she was recognized as an Outstanding Mentor by Sandia National Labs. She chaired (2009) & vice-chaired (2007) the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on the Physics & Chemistry of Microfluidics.

While the genomics revolution has had sweeping impact on our understanding of life processes, the “proteomics revolution” still remains unrealized.  Proteins are more directly linked to function than genes, but proteins are also dynamic and more biochemically complex. Consequently, protein analysis often demands multi-stage biochemical assays to measure not one, but multiple physicochemical properties.  At UC Berkeley, we are introducing novel non-discretizing integration strategies to answer this problem. This talk will highlight multi-stage assays uniquely enabled by our ‘µMosaic’ fabrication technique:  an approach that allows regional photopatterning of 2D microchambers with heterogeneous, discrete nanomaterials.  In one example, I will summarize our recent progress towards fast, hands-free, and perhaps even quantitative Western blotting, for analysis of specimens from clinical sample repositories. Our ultimate goal is to understand the life processes – including development and disease through quantitative bioinstrumentation.

Thursday, November 17, 2011, 6:30-8:30 pm

Light supper^* and networking 6:30pm – 7:00pm

NOTE: Registering w/ Eventbrite will say free;  however, a fee will be collected at the door.

Fee: $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

**REGISTER HERE**

http://novembernanoebawis.eventbrite.org

Location: Novartis , 5400 Hollis St, Building X-310 Emeryville, CA

Parking is in front of the Buidling

***Click Here for DIRECTIONS***

ebAWIS is a nonprofit organization and the fee cover cost of food

NON-SCIENTISTS and MEN ARE ALL WELCOME!

Prof. Judith Campisi , Ph.D.
Buck Institute

Judith Campisi received a PhD in Biochemistry from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and postdoctoral training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School.  As an Associate Professor at the Boston University Medical School, she launched an interest cellular senescence and its role in tumor suppression and aging.  She joined Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 1991.  In 2002, she established a second laboratory at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, where she is a Professor.  At both institutions, she established a broad program to understand the interface between cancer and aging.  Her laboratory has made several pioneering discoveries in these areas, and her research continues to challenge and alter existing paradigms.  In recognition of her research, she received numerous awards, including MERIT awards from the US National Institute on Aging, the Allied Signal Corporation, Gerontological Society of America and American Federation for Aging Research, the Longevity prize from the IPSEN Foundation and the Bennett Cohen award from the University of Michigan.  She currently serves on numerous national and international editorial and advisory boards.

Age is the largest single risk factor for developing a plethora of chronic diseases, ranging from neurodegeneration to cancer.  Most-age-related diseases are degenerative.  Cancer, however, is a gain-of-function disease.  Is there a common biology that links cancer and the degenerative diseases of aging?  I will discuss the possibility that processes designed to suppress cancer – specifically DNA damage and senescence responses – link cancer to degenerative disease through an inflammatory process that is controlled by and evolutionarily-conserved longevity pathway.  Our hypotheses indicate that we must be clever and knowledgeable if we are to intervene into aging processes that promise to ameliorate many of the chronic diseases of aging, including cancer.

When: Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Novartis* , 5300 Hollis St, Building X-310 Emeryville, CA
Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members, fee collected at door
RSVP:  http://ebawisseptembermeeting.eventbrite.com
Transit–BART and free Shuttle by Emery Go Round from MacArthur BART on Hollis Line.
Parking and registration directions:  Park at lot located next to Building X, on Hollis St., north of 53rd St.  Check-in at Building X.   Directions to Novartis here.
Why drive alone? Carpool and get to know a friend!

We are planning a fantastic year with ~500 students attending and lots of give-aways….

Would you be interested in presenting a Hands-On Workshop at the Expanding Your Horizons Conference?
I only need 8 more presenters.

Date: Saturday, October 22, 2011
Time: 8:15 AM – 3:00 PM
Place: University of Pacific, Stockton

Expanding Your Horizons is a career conference for young women grades 6th – 12th. The workshops provide an opportunity for the students to learn in greater detail about particular careers —yours! This is a great opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of young women.
There is additional information on our website. If you are interested, please sign up at: www.sjeyh.org