The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, recently redefining its organizational goals, has a new executive director to guide the organization in achieving these objectives. Michael Jackson, a physiologist who was dean of research at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., takes the FASEB post this week.
At a retreat in Williamsburg, Va., last year, representatives of the 31,000-member orgaanization decided that FASEB's seven constituent societies should speak with a more unified voice on national science issues. Jackson, now chosen to implement the decision, says his focus will be "to enhance the role of the federation in developing consensus and access."
One of Jackson's principal aims is to give bench scientists more of a voice. "Our concern is that [national policy] decisions are not adequately representative of practicing scientists," he says.
Jackson cites low levels of funding, the need for improvement in laboratory facilities, and the training ...
