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Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1187
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 03:41 pm: | 
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I thought I'd start a thread for folks to talk about Blacks in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) fields.* (*Some also include a second "M" for medicine.) Many of the challenges we will face as a people, as a nation and as a planet will depend upon there being advances in these areas. Global warming, alternative energy sources, proper use of genetic technology... Then there are "fun" areas like special effects for those summer blockbusters we enjoy, or even continued progress in cyberspace as demonstrated by our site hosts right here at aalbc/TC!
Unfortunately, however, Blacks are not progressing in these crucial areas--at least not far enough or fast enough for my liking. My daughters just finished a summer camp held at our local science museum and loved it. When I used to teach at the preschool and kindergarten levels, my kids loved science. Every year during Black History Month we hear of Blacks who have made great contributions in these areas. So what happens between kindergarten and the PhD that we lose so many able young people? What can we do to change things?
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Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1188
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 03:46 pm: |
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One thing is clear: historically Black institutions are still doing a better job of graduating Blacks in these fields than traditionally White institutions.
From
http://www.diverseeducation.com/Top1002.asp:
Comparing HBCUs and TWIs
As in previous Top 100 editions, we continue to monitor several overall trends. One trend that we’ve been following over the years is the number and proportion of baccalaureate degrees conferred to African Americans at HBCUs. ...This trend reflects the stable number of HBCU institutions, which have numbered about 100 all through this time period, contrasted with a steadily growing number of other colleges and universities.
Despite this trend, HBCUs still account for a disproportional percentage of degrees conferred to African Americans. HBCUs account for just over one out of eight African American undergraduate enrollments but almost one-quarter of all baccalaureate degrees conferred to African American students. This statistic was first noted in one of the first Top 100 publications from the early 1990s. This year, we consider several nuances related to these statistics.
...
Among doctoral- and master’s-level HBCUs, African American students comprise close to 90 percent of all undergraduate students and baccalaureate degrees. African Americans constitute the vast majority, but slightly lower proportions of students at HBCUs that are classified at the bachelor’s level or among “all other” institutions....
Overall, African Americans represent one in 10 undergraduates enrolled at TWIs, and about one in 14 bachelor’s degree recipients. Their representation is similar across institutions classified at the bachelor’s level or higher. As we noted in last year’s analysis, the small but growing number of associate-level institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees are conferring these degrees to disproportionately high numbers of minority students. This shows up in Display 2, where African Americans represent over one in eight enrollments, but nearly one in five of the bachelor’s degrees conferred.
...
Top Disciplines
The last table of this year’s analysis examines the roll of HBCUs in conferring baccalaureate degrees to African Americans in the “STEM” disciplines (science, technology, engineering and math). Display 4 shows that nearly one in five baccalaureate degrees conferred to African Americans at HBCUs are in one of the STEM disciplines. Moreover, the conferral rate does not differ between African Americans and other students obtaining baccalaureate degrees from HBCUs. In contrast, only one in eight African Americans receives a baccalaureate degree in a STEM discipline from other types of institutions — and this percentage is less than the STEM degree conferral rate for other students. This pattern holds across bachelor’s level and higher institutions of the Carnegie Classification categories. Only among the associate’s and “all other” non-HBCU institutions, where the number of baccalaureate degrees conferred is relatively small, do African Americans receive proportionately more STEM-discipline degrees.
Display 4 also further illustrates the gender difference in STEM-baccalaureate degree conferrals by Carnegie Classification among HBCU and all other institutions. Generally, men earn proportionately more degrees in these disciplines than do women. Once again, we see that the general rate of conferral is higher for both male and female African Americans at HBCU institutions. We also see that the gap in conferral between African Americans and other students in “all other institutions” occurs for men, but not women.
...This analysis reveals that HBCUs have greater success than TWIs in graduating African Americans in the STEM disciplines, which, in turn, provide access to careers in which African Americans continue to be underrepresented. In the forthcoming graduate degree Top 100 edition we will examine further the role of HBCUs in promoting access among African Americans to professional and academic careers.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5536
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 04:14 am: |
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Yvettep,
First: NICE topic. Really. It's something Black foks really need to begin to focus on.
Now. This problem can be summed up in a single word: MATHEMATICS. Somewhere around "Algebra", Black kids begin to turn off from math...in droves. And you simply can NOT become a competent scientist or engineer sans STRONG math skills.
Because Mathematics is the LANGUAGE of science and technology.
But whenever you mention math around Black focus, half of us behave as though we're being b*tchslapped or something.
Until we develop a sincere and abiding appreciation for and competence in mathematics, we will continue to lag behind others.
PS: And we probably WON'T be able to compete mathematically if our kids continue to watch 3X the amount of TV as their White and Asian peers. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1189
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 10:16 am: |
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I agree with your assessment that that math illiteracy is at the center of this drop-off in interest. A while back I stumbled on a program that linked music with math concepts in helping kids realize that math is natural and not as foreign as some think. Hopefully I can find it again. But I do think that the absense of music and arts programs in many $-strapped public school systems does not help. (And I am not just saying this because my mother is a school music educator!)
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Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1190
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 10:26 am: |
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Are charter schools part of the answer? My kids attended a public magnet school for kindergarten, but even then I could see how this school (one of the best of the publics) was operating under many, many constraints.
I found this D.C. charter school after viewing that web cast of the "Paths to Success" forum I posted about a while back: Maya Angelou Public Charter School http://www.seeforever.org/
Anyone know about charter schools that focus on math and science? |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5539
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
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Yvettep,
The timing, symmetry and synergy of music are quite mathematical in basis and nature. So I concur that the cessation of music and art programs in public schools has had a negative impact upon math education.
But I think the issue is much too enormous to ever be addressed via charter schools. I think we must start with a basic paradigm shift of mindset amongst ALL Black foks.
I believe that mathematic must become, in essence, a form of religion for Black people, throughout this nation and throughout this WORLD.
You know, sorta like how sports and music have been. |
Semperfemme
Newbie Poster
Username: Semperfemme
Post Number: 24
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 02:49 pm: |
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I'm working on my bachelors in Computer Science, with a focus on programming. My classes are filled to the brim with people who are terrible at math. The awesome thing about technology is that it is a way of learning algebra etc. in an application kind of format. Once I learned how functions worked in C++, functions in Calculus came kind of naturally. Algorithms? Thanks to learning to work with flowcharts, I can think through them logically, step by step.
This example falls into line with my idea that our school system has attempted to shoehorn all children into one learning format. Read and recite. This doesn't work for everyone and some- no MOST children need some kind of hands on training when it comes to mathematics. A way of actually observing math in action.
Parental involvement is another key factor. Many black children these days are going home to a empty house, frazzled parents, or a grandparent who is not equipped to assist with homework. Studies have shown a profound link between parental involvement and academic achievement.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5544
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 03:18 pm: |
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Semperfemme,
What I find ironic about much of the technological developments in education is they often do as much to distract foks from learning as they do to enable such. |
Kola_boof
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 2492
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 03:34 pm: |
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Parental involvement is another key factor. Many black children these days are going home to a empty house, frazzled parents, or a grandparent who is not equipped to assist with homework. Studies have shown a profound link between parental involvement and academic achievement.
Thank God my boys have their dad---because though I've taught my sons their heritage, how to shoot guns, build quarries, fish, cook and {how to make generations}----I am the dumbest chick on the planet when it comes to MATH.
They ask me stuff and I'm like, "Call your dad."
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 1110
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 03:37 pm: |
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This whole math thing is a conspiracy to keep Blacks out of the professions. LOL.
But really - calculus, algebra, logarithms, etc. aren't even used by the average person in our daily lives. Back in the olden days you learned algebra in high school and if you dropped out of high school you missed out on all of that. Now your second graders are bringing home algebra assignments and parents are at a complete loss. Your only options are to get with the program or to hire a tutor.
Since math isn't for everyone, why wouldn't the primary schools focus on the basics - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percentages and measuring time, distance and money - and ensure that everyone gets those skills right (since those are actually used), thereby leaving the complex mathematics as electives in secondary schools for those students who are entering the fields where it's required, or to those students who have a sincere desire to learn advanced math. Otherwise it's a waste to attempt to teach advanced math to everyone since the knowledge is not going to be utilized or retained.
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 1111
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 03:40 pm: |
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And if your mom happens to be the dumbest chick on the planet when it comes to MATH - your other option is to call your dad. DUH!!! |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5546
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 04:20 pm: |
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Mzuri,
We represent 13% of American population yet earn only 3% of the Phd's conferred for science, engineering and math.
We Black foks will NEVER be able to compete on this planet without achieving great math skills. Not even close.
Business...Math.
Farming...Math.
Election polls...Math.
Nuclear bombs...Math.
Space travel...Math.
AIDS cure...Math.
Sure MOST foks - Black, White or otherwise - will not have reason to utilizing higher math skills. Still. We must as a people attempt to try to popularize math. Because an overall appreciation for such we will begin to elicit more amongst us those who DO have the inate talent and interest to become great scientists and engineers...many of whom who are currently wasting their gotdayam time failing at attempting to become hip-hop stars. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 1114
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 04:48 pm: |
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ABM, don't get mad at me about it. I'm competitive in business but I'm not much of a math person. Matter of fact, I have an accountant who takes care of most things like bookkeeping and income taxes. Mainly because I'm focused on running the business. I am in the furniture business and so I must use addition and percentages in calculating weights and measures for shipping purposes, space planning, etc. (usually use a calculator). And of course costing, setting retail prices, counting my proceeds and trying to project future earnings. Thankfully I'm into the six figures now so I'm past the counting pennies stage. I mostly only use fractions when I'm in the kitchen, either halving or doubling recipes. And besides, they say that the typical female brain cannot grasp mathematics so I don't feel guilty about not knowing the advanced disciplines. Matter of fact I opted out of accounting in business school and took up medical terminology instead. LOL! |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5550
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 04:58 pm: |
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Mzuri,
Well. Again. I'm not advocating that each and every INDIVIDUAL Black person become a quant jockey. My point is as a WHOLE we must become.
And, btw, I hope your accountants, bankers, insurers, architects and financial planners are Black. Because if they are not, then that's partly the point I'm making here. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 1115
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 05:31 pm: |
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Agreed. But the whole is accomplished individually. I had a Black accountant when I first started this business, and each year as I made more money he became friendlier and friendlier until he started throwing himself at me and I had to let him go. Now I have a Mexican lady accountant. Bankers, bonding companies, insurers, retirement fund, shipping companies, manufacturers, etc. are all entities and so I don't have much choice. I have yet to find a Black furniture manufacturer. I've offered to show the business ropes to anyone with a sincere desire to operate their own business but people are lazy so I haven't had any serious takers. That's the best I can do for the community, to be successful and to help others. Matter of fact, I posted the offer here once and one of the posters told me to send her an e-mail with further details and I felt that if she didn't have the initiative to contact me, then she didn't have what it takes to operate a business - like I'm going to chase you down to show you how to make bank. So that was that for her. |
Kola_boof
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 2505
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 06:00 pm: |
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You know, ABM, we need "MATH" for Psycho-social purposes as well....if for no other reason than to become "naturally adept" at NOTICING the "Strategies" that are aimed against us.
So much of our dumbfoundedness on social issues stems from our lack of respect and knowledge of MATH/SCIENCE.
We lack "Critical Thinking" skills that Math instills in a person's through processes.
I believe what you're saying could actually bring about our greatest revolution of all.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5552
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 06:33 pm: |
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Kola,
I agree. Strong math skills help make one into a strong strategist. Because math is about positioning and relationships between and amongst all things within existence.
There certainly there's been lots of MATH invested in the conquering of African land and people, both native and diaspora. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1192
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 09:05 pm: |
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Semperfemme, would you mind sharing what kind of program/university you are in? Do you plan to continue at the PhD level? Also, what year are you in?
I have heard from friends who went through similar applied programs that the numbers dwindle as you move from freshman year to senior year. And of course they drop off steadily from there.
Mzuri, I would agree with you--if it were the case that schools were doing a good job of even teaching basic math literacy. It is shocking how many folks cannot adequately figure out basic statistical discussions or read graphs that are found in their local newspaper. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1193
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 09:11 pm: |
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much of the technological developments in education is they often do as much to distract foks from learning as they do to enable such
Agree. I think many programs do a good job of entertaining kids with a lot of flash. But then they do not go that extra step and show young people the nuts and bolts behind all the flash.
The school where my kids will be attending 1st grade teaches computer programming using the Lego Imaginarium (spl?) program. But before they do anything on the terminal, they learn how to program little bots to move certain spaces on a grid on the floor. I was ASTOUNDED during the tour to see these little kids figuring out what went wrong in simple lines of code. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1194
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 09:14 pm: |
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So much of our dumbfoundedness on social issues stems from our lack of respect and knowledge of MATH/SCIENCE.
Repeat about 10 times and then I'd agree with you, Kola. LOL!
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Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1198
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 09:54 pm: |
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A little sum'n-sum'n for you comics fans out there. (P.S. The author is a prof at my university.
http://www.physicsofsuperheroes.com/ |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1205
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 01:02 pm: |
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A salute to teachers!
Disney Teacher Awards: http://disney.go.com/disneyhand/learning/teacherawards/index.html
See especially:
Ms. Brenda Joyce Moncriffe--http://disney.go.com/disneyhand/learning/teacherawards/bio/2006/pdfs/Moncriffe.p df
HS math; Teacher for 39 years!!!!
Mr. St. Claire Adriaan
http://disney.go.com/disneyhand/learning/teacherawards/bio/2006/pdfs/Adriaan.pdf
Jr H math:
“As a classroom activist, I take on different roles for different cultural backgrounds.... During Black History Month, I highlight the scientific and mathematical milestones of African Americans through research projects. As a South African minority student educated with inferior education under the shackles of apartheid, I vowed to educate myself to the highest level possible...."
Ms. Zarina Ahmad
http://disney.go.com/disneyhand/learning/teacherawards/bio/2006/pdfs/Ahmad.pdf
ECE/K
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Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1206
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 01:27 pm: |
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From https://www.uncf.org/mediacenter/pr_Detail.asp?prID=114
UNCF AND MERCK MARK 11-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Fairfax, VA— The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) today announced awards of scholarships and fellowships to 37 student recipients of the UNCF/Merck Science Initiative award. The UNCF/Merck Science Initiative program, which will provide over $13 million in scholarship grants over five years, will target students pursuing careers in scientific research at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels. The program is supported through the Merck Institute for Science Education and Merck Research Laboratories.
The newest Fellows announced today — 15 undergraduate, 12 graduate and 10 postdoctoral Fellows — will receive awards ranging from $25,000 to $85,000 each. This year’s award recipients were selected from a nationwide, competitive pool of applicants and were chosen for their academic achievements and their potential in the field of biomedical research.
The Annual Fellows Day celebration marks 11 years of the UNCF and Merck & Co., Inc. partnership in administering the Science Initiative program. During that time, the program has provided scholarships and fellowships to promising science students, enhancing their potential with financial support, hands-on training, close mentoring relationships and institutional support.
"We need all the available talent to ensure that the very best minds are engaged and working toward scientific advances that can make a real difference in the lives of patients worldwide," said Richard T. Clark, president and CEO, Merck & Co., Inc. "Merck is honored to work with UNCF on this ongoing partnership that supports the expansion of African-Americans into scientific professions, and it salutes this year's Fellows for their many current and future accomplishments."
The UNCF/ Merck Science Initiative’s scholarships, fellowships, internships and institutional support are aimed at three strategic stages of a student’s career: undergraduate students entering their final matriculation year, graduate students in their final two-to-three years of dissertation research, and postdoctoral fellows continuing their training at academic or non-academic research institutions. At each level, the competition is open to African-American students at all four-year colleges and universities in the United States....
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Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 515
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 02:59 am: |
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Yvettep -Thank you for a very good post! This particular subject is a big departure from the silly pointless and race baiting posts that are ongoing on this board. However, this is a very critical and thought provoking subject. Again, thank you.
I have enjoyed all the responses so far. ABM is absolutely correct: " We Black foks will NEVER be able to compete on this planet without achieving great math skills. Not even close." And Kola, the statement: " So much of our dumbfoundedness on social issues stems from our lack of respect and knowledge of MATH/SCIENCE.", is also very true. I think all of the posters are on the money when recognizing the tragic consequences of this glaring deficiency within the black community.
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Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1208
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 02:22 pm: |
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Glad you are enjoying the conversation, Ntfs.
All: Check out this sister: Vanessa Northington Gamble, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care
Webcast of one of her talks: http://rockethics.psu.edu/bios/gamble.htm
In this presentation, Dr. Vanessa Northington Gamble will provide an historical overview of racial and ethnic disparities in health care. She will also examine why these disparities are a bioethics issue and what bioethicists can do to address them. Dr. Gamble will also analyze the absence of discussions of race and racism in contemporary bioethics and the consequences of this absence.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5642
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 02:54 pm: |
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Yvettep,
I'm thrilled to see UNCF attempting to bolster the numbers of Black scientists, though I hope the program is NOT simply some feeder program for future MERCK employees or primarily financing vehicle for prospective physicians. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1210
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 03:11 pm: |
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Yeah, it's hard to not cast a cynical eye when Big Pharma is involved! LOL Where I grew up (Indy) Lilly ruled the land. They throw $$ all over the place: Indiana Black Expo, Circle City Classic--I was part of a leadrership initiative in high school sponsored by their foundation.
In general, tho, I think many of these efforts are fairly positive and not too self-serving on the part of the sponsoring company. You do bring up something that sparks an interest in my mind: I wonder if anyone has done any research into where these fellowship and scholarship recipients end up. Merck? Competitor sector companies? Biomedical research at universities, the CDC, or NIH? Physicians--and in that instance, what fields and where (e.g., primary care vs subspecialties, in inner cities and other underserved areas vs wealthy suburbs)... Wouldn't it be great if some started their own biomed companies? |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5648
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 04:12 pm: |
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Yvettep: "Wouldn't it be great if some started their own biomed companies?"
Yeah. And if imagine if one of those companies cured AIDS!!! |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1212
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 03, 2006 - 12:36 pm: |
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A while back on another thread, Fortified alerted us to this mover and shaker in the world of STEM disciplines: Colin Hill
CEO, President, and Cofounder, Gene Network Sciences Inc.
From http://www.bio-itworld.com/newsitems/2005/nov2005/11-30-05-news-gns
November 30, 2005 | Systems biology pioneer Gene Network Sciences (GNS) will use its cancer expertise and computational modeling expertise to help choose optimal therapies for cancer patients at the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center (MCMRC) in Dallas. This is the first time biosimulation will be used to test treatments for actual cancer patients based on their individual gene expression data, says GNS.
To perform the biosimulations, GNS will take patient information such as gene expression response and pharmacological information from MCMRC and input the data into computer models. The models then run on a cluster of supercomputers, and the results are used to group MCMRC patients into biologically similar subsets who can undergo similar treatments. The data from these subsets are then run through the simulation again to predict which therapies will have the greatest efficacy and least toxicity.
The deal is an important milestone for systems biology in general and modeling in particular. As part of the agreement, GNS will be compensated on a per-patient basis, representing another advance for systems biology providers, who have struggled to develop profitable business strategies. An Israeli company, Optimata, also uses biosimulation to choose optimal therapies, but it is less focused on incorporating patient gene expression data (see Optimizing Optimata, November 2005 Bio-IT World).
“We are very pleased to enter into this strategic relationship with Gene Network Sciences,” said David Shanahan, president of the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center, in a press release. “This technological innovation will allow us a new means of developing safer and more-effective cancer treatments for our patients.” GNS models will be used on a range of cancers. MCMRC treats many types of cancers, including breast, colon, lung and prostate.
MCMRC will use GNS computer models to help improve clinical trial success rates and advance patient care. GNS’ biosimulation platform allows for the testing of efficacy and toxicity of compounds before they are introduced into a patient—something that previously was not possible. Recently, the dramatic growth of biological knowledge has combined with affordable high-performance computing to make biosimulation more attractive. The GNS computer lab occupies 150 sq. ft. of office space and is equipped with a 32-CPU supercomputing cluster (32 AMD Athlon MP 2000 CPUs) with a total of 16 GB of RAM and over 1 Terabyte of disk storage and 5 single- and dual-processor Windows 2000 and Linux servers. In addition, there is a 48-CPU cluster (48 Mac G5 Power PC CPU’s) with a total of 24GB of RAM and 4.4TB of disk storage
“By using clinical data to predict who will benefit most from therapy, our models arm the researchers at Mary Crowley Medical Research Center with the power to improve clinical trial success rates and expand treatment options,” said Colin Hill, CEO of GNS.
...Gene Network Sciences is an early mover in the systems biology space and has developed a model of a “virtual” colon cancer cell. First focused on developing predictive mechanistic models, GNS has recently begun emphasizing bottom-up inference approaches that analyze large data sets to develop models. With this partnership, MCMRC gains the unique advantage of being able to use GNS computer simulations to test which therapies will have the best clinical outcomes for patients.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5692
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 03, 2006 - 12:55 pm: |
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Yvettep,
That's a wonderful article. (Thanks Fortified!!!). It not only provides some good PR for Blacks who succeed in the biomedical field, it also provides some detail about HOW the scholastic disciplines of biology, mathematics, economics and computer science combine into producing an enterprise. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1214
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 03, 2006 - 01:07 pm: |
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I agree, ABM. Now, I'm not gonna claim I understood every word of what the article said! But I do get the general gist that is the same thing enterprising Black (and other) folk have been doing for ages: Find a niche that is not being filled. Figure out who might need your services. SHow them how your expertise fits with their goals. Partner with them to create something others might use. Get the word out...
(Kind of fits with something you were saying on another thread in another context about having something someone else wants prior to attempts at partnership, no?  )
And check out the cancers that are being targeted: Some of the major cancers that disproportionally impact Black folks... |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5698
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 03, 2006 - 04:34 pm: |
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Yvettep,
It's quite INSPIRING to read of a Black person taking the lead in such a vitally important field of study. And, yes, it is relevant that they are targeting diseases that disproportionately afflict Black foks. THIS, amongst MYRIAD reasons, is why I say why so many MORE of us must become discovers.
Hell. Reading this almost makes me wanna go finish that Chemistry degree I started nearly 30 years ago.
Yvettep: "(Kind of fits with something you were saying on another thread in another context about having something someone else wants prior to attempts at partnership, no? )"
Alas, Dear LORD. Why does thou give them eyes yet deny them the facility to SEE? |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1218
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 11:59 am: |
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Earlier I posted on a fellowship/scholarship fund targeted towards getting more Blacks into science, tech, math and related disciplines. Now this is private $$ (from a drug company, or maybe its foundation arm). But many publically funded programs through schools and the government have widened their eligibility to include others besides African Americans.
And of course one of the big debates in many states is whether or not "affirmative action" specific to race should be done away with entirely, and instead money for higher ed given on the basis of "financial need," "first generation" college status, or other criteria--Not to mention a widening of groups to include non-US born students, GLBT-identified students, differently abled students, other racial/ethnic groups, etc. (And in most cases, I would guess, significant new monies are NOT included as part of this expansion in eligibility.)
What do you think?
For example, read the description of this program at my U:
Named for Ronald McNair, one of the fallen Challenger astronauts, the McNair Scholars program, now in its 15th year at the University, is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and operated by the TRiO Program in the College of Education and Human Development. It encourages and helps minority, disabled, or low-income undergraduates reach graduate or professional schools. Of the more than 300 students who have benefited from the program, more than 60 percent have gone on to graduate school.
(http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/McNair_Scholars_flying_high_after_15 _years.html)
Or, here is the description of another fellowship program--formerly called something like the Equal Opportunity Fellowship (I can't remember exactly) but now called the "Diversity of Views and Experiences" (DOVE) award:
Q: What is the DOVE Fellowship definition of diversity of views and experiences?
A: The DOVE Fellowship seeks to assist graduate programs to promote a diversity of views, experiences, and ideas in the pursuit of research, scholarship, and creative excellence. This diversity is promoted through the recruitment and support of academically excellent students with diverse ethnic, racial, ecomomic, and educational backgrounds and experiences. Programs are encouraged to consider students from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the graduate programs.
(http://www.grad.umn.edu/outreach/finances/dove_faq.html)
I am not trying to pick on my university. You'll see this kind of thing at colleges and universities all over the country. I am just waiting for a conservative group to claim that middle class, Republican males should fall under this eligibility, as their views contribute to campus "diversity" and they are underrepresented at many US institutions of higher ed...
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5729
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 12:25 pm: |
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Yvettep,
I admit my opinion is somewhat mixed here.
Part of me find it difficult to rationalize giving, say, Denzel Washington's son some preference simply because he's Black. Because my presumption is HE'S been even every opportunity to get the very best pre-Collegiate education possible.
There ARE, however, elements of being Black that most of African Americans have experience and have been the product of that are unique unto themselves and should be included within the the calculus of evaluating school applications.
And if a state-funded university admission criteria are such that it African American population are nil, it seems to me then its encumbent upon MORE than just the school to do something to reverse the trend, especially if the school is in a state that has a material percentage of African Americans.
This link below refers to a related issue that concerns me: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5563891 |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1219
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 01:09 pm: |
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I forgot to include above, I wrote something on this topic a while back and it continues to be something I struggle with:
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/perry032/impossible/racial_gamesmanship.html
ABM, thank you for bringing up the situation at UCLA. I agree about the wealthy Blacks issue. Like I said, this whole thing is something I struggle with. But I think we need to be careful of the red herring that is sometimes in that argument. I know of virtually no cases of wealthy Blacks taking advantage of these programs over lower income Blacks. Regular old middle class youth, yes. But similar to what you yourself have so eloquently discussed, these middle class families are only "middle class" by virtue of their parents' education level and incomes, not accumulated wealth. So these kids are far from being remotely in the league of most of their White peers with similar middle class parental incomes--let alone Denzel's kids.
ABM and other parents: If you do not mind sharing, how are you handling the whole $ for college thing with your own kids? Are you trying to track their interests in certain fields? Has anyone invested in any of those state pre-paid college plans? |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1222
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 02:36 pm: |
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More on this issue:
From Diverse Online http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_6210.shtml
Black Colleges Diversifying By Recruiting More Hispanics
By Associated Press
Squeezed by stiff competition for their traditional students, historically Black colleges are making a push to recruit Hispanics.
While the country’s Hispanic population is booming, the number of Blacks is growing at a much slower rate and other colleges are doing more to attract them. Black colleges that want to shore up enrollment numbers are revising recruitment strategies to include more members of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing minority.
HBCUs are hiring Hispanic recruiters, distributing brochures featuring Hispanic students and establishing special scholarships for Hispanics. At the historically Black Texas Southern University in Houston, the school has started five Hispanic student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, to help make the campus more inviting....
Recruiters like Santiago and others from schools including the all-male Morehouse College in Atlanta are visiting predominantly Hispanic high schools and setting up booths at college fairs geared toward Hispanic students. Morehouse sends recruiters to high schools in South Florida, New York, East Texas and Los Angeles areas with large Hispanic populations.
“Considering Latinos and African-Americans share a lot of history together that they don’t realize, I think it’s a good idea,” says John Miranda, of Silver Spring, Md., one of 15 Hispanics enrolled at the 2,800-student Morehouse....
Morehouse’s goal is for at least 5 percent of its student body to be made up of Hispanics within five years. If its current overall enrollment holds steady, the school will need 125 more Hispanic students by 2011 to reach that goal.
While the idea has been greeted with open arms by the college’s administrators, some students and alumni say they are mixed about actively recruiting Hispanics to historically Black colleges.
“I do have concerns,” says Earl Nero, a retired Atlanta businessman who graduated from Morehouse in 1974. “Since the college has determined they want to stay the same size they are, that would take away space from qualified African-American students.”
But having other minorities attending a historically Black college will help them get “a real life view about what Black people are all about,” Nero adds.
Student James Travis, who is Black, says having students of other races on a historically Black campus bothers him “a little bit” because it challenges the college’s mission.
“It’s supposed to maintain the historically Black tradition,” says the 21-year-old student from the Atlanta suburb of College Park. “I’ll have to see how it goes before I see if I want to change the situation or not.”
...The number of Hispanic students attending historically Black colleges increased more than 60 percent from 1994 to 2004, while the number of Black students grew by 35 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Hispanics have surpassed Blacks as the nation’s largest minority. The number of Hispanics in the United States grew by nearly 60 percent in the 1990s, while the number of Blacks only grew by about 15 percent.
At the same time, the competition for Black students has increased as public colleges nationwide try to improve diversity by recruiting more minorities. Some state higher education systems, especially in the South, also have been forced by federal courts to meet specific Black recruitment goals under desegregation lawsuits still lingering from the 1960s.
“All colleges want to have a presence of African-American male students on their campus. It makes the competition very tough,” says Sterling Hudson, dean of admissions and records at Morehouse.
Five years ago, Texas Southern hired a Hispanic recruiter and began producing recruitment materials targeting Hispanics. Since then, Hispanic student enrollment has grown from 316 to almost 550. Right now, Hispanics make up about 5 percent of the 11,000-student body....
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5739
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 08:14 pm: |
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Yvettep,
Like you, I am not aware of there being any material number or percentage of wealthy Blacks taking opportunities away from poorer ones, though I imagine that such has happen at your elite private (e.g., Harvard) and elite public (e.g., UC-Berkley) schools.
I mentioned the Denzel son's hypothetical to emphasize that I do not believe any/all Black applicants should be given a break simply because they are Black. I think one's situation (e.g., family income, community, 1st generation college, etc.) should come into play.
My deal with my kids is I'll pay up to the full cost tuition, room & board of the most expensive Illinois state-funded college. So if they elect to attend a more expensive private school or non-Illinois state college, they've gotta finance the difference between what the school cost I what I'll pay.
If, however, they elect to attend an elite school (e.g., Harvard, Stanford, Duke, MIT, etc.), I feel obligated to pay their full cost. Because, generally, the value of such is worth the additional outlay.
PS: This whole school admissions thing turns on ONE issue: STANDARDIZE EXAMS. I am a HUGE advocate of standardize exams. And I lament that many Black students, teachers, educators and scholars do not realize what a GOLDEN opportunity they offer. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5740
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 08:17 pm: |
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Yvettep,
If HBCU's must actively recruit non-Black students and teachers to survive, it seems to me that they're beginning to reach a point where they have much LESS reason at all to exist. |
Kola_boof
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 2713
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 08:30 pm: |
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I agree ABM.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5754
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 06, 2006 - 04:07 am: |
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Kola,
And the sad part for me is I am myself a proud PRODUCT of a HBCU. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1230
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 10:00 pm: |
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From Inside Higher Ed: http://insidehighered.com/news/2006/08/07/qt
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation plans to announce today that it is giving an additional $58 million to expand its Millenium Scholars program to add scholarships for minority students planning careers in public health, the Associated Press reported. The foundation created the scholarship program for talented minority students with $1 billion. The additional funds will support scholarships for minority students seeking graduate degrees in epidemiology, biomedical science, tropical disease, public health practice and nutritional science, the AP reported. The Gates Foundation has made public health a major emphasis of its philanthropy.
Note that this is reportedly already the richest scholarship program in the history of higher education. Go to the web site-- http://www.gmsp.org/(d5calcicneq5r445dy2bqnuc)/default.aspx , and please, please, please consider applying or encouraging someone you know to apply!!! More info re: the Gates and their work within the next few days...
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5794
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 07:31 am: |
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Yvettep,
That sounds like a GREAT addition to the Minllenium Scholar program. I hope it offers some incentives for foks to study and perform research in countries that are south of the equator. |
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