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News Releases: October - December 2001

Contents

• October
• November
• December

October

October 1, 2001: NIBIB Web Site Released

The Web site for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), the newest of the research institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is now operational. Information on all aspects of NIBIB operations and on activities related to biomedical imaging and bioengineering in general is available on this site. The About NIBIB portion of the site contains information about the history, mission, legislative activities, budget, staff, vacancy announcements, and administration of the new Institute. Articles describing breaking news and events associated with the NIBIB, a list of reports and articles issued by the NIBIB, and a calendar of events for biomedical imaging and bioengineering activities (symposia, application deadlines, national and international conferences, workshops, etc.) are contained in the News and Events section. Lists and links to NIBIB and BECON research and training opportunities, NIH extramural grant requirements and information, data on current grants, and opportunities from other Federal agencies are contained in the For Investigators portion of the site. The General Information section provides links to reports and publications concerned with biomedical imaging and bioengineering and links to related Web sites (other Federal agencies, foundations, societies, and academic programs). Information about the history, mission, meetings, membership, and activities of the NIH's Bioengineering Consortium (BECON) is provided in the BECON portion of the site. The BECON, which was formerly administered by the Office of Extramural Research at the NIH, is now administered by the NIBIB. Comments and suggestions concerning the NIBIB Web site should be transmitted to info@nibib.nih.gov.

October 1, 2001: Status of the NIBIB

As the development of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) continues, activities have been focused primarily on three areas – administration (staffing, infrastructure, and facilities), NIH and interagency coordination, and development of research and training extramural funding opportunities. These efforts are being led by Dr. Donna Dean, Acting Director of the NIBIB. A list of NIBIB staff and communication information is available in the About NIBIB portion of this Web site.

With regard to administration, office space has been procured in Building 31 on the NIH Main Campus. Until full-time staff can be hired, plans are to develop initial technical programs using staff from other NIH institutes and centers on detail assignments to the NIBIB. Getting a permanent director for the NIBIB is a primary concern for the NIH administration. A search committee has been established, and a vacancy announcement with a closing date of October 31, 2001, has been issued. An Advisory Committee is also being established.

NIH and interagency coordination efforts include communication activities aimed at developing a Web site (which has just been released) to provide a source of information on the NIBIB for the scientific community and planning for the June 2002 BECON Symposium on Biosensors. Transitioning of administration of the BECON from the Office of Extramural Research to the NIBIB has been a major focus of activities to ensure continuity and momentum for the associated research, training, and communication programs. The Consortium will continue to function as in the past and will serve as a focus for bioengineering activities at the NIH and with other Federal agencies. Interagency activities with the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation are being considered in the areas of technology transfer and collaborative training initiatives.

With regard to NIBIB funding opportunities, several program announcements supporting bioimaging and bioengineering research and training are in preparation and are expected to be released in October 2001. In particular, the Bioengineering Research Partnerships (BRPs) and Bioengineering Research Grants (BRGs) coordinated by the BECON are being revised to reflect the participation of the NIBIB and improvements based on three year's experience. Current plans are to also issue a program announcement for SBIR/STTR grants in bioengineering and bioimaging. Initial training opportunities supported by the NIBIB include institutional training grants (T32) and mentored career training grants (K-25) for bioimaging and bioengineering. The NIBIB will also be partnering with current NIH institutes and centers in program announcements in several areas of interest to the Institute. As they are released, information on these announcements will be posted on the NIBIB Web site and in the NIH Guide.

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December

December 17, 2001: Joint DOE/NIH Workshop on Thermography Conducted on December 3-4

A Workshop on Thermographic Approaches to Medical Diagnosis and Therapy was held on December 3-4, 2001, at the Hyatt-Bethesda Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland. Approximately 35 participants from academia, DOE national laboratories, NIH intramural research laboratories, and DOE and NIH extramural research programs attended the workshop. The objectives of this meeting were to (1) identify applications of thermographic approaches to medical diagnosis and therapy using microwave, magnetic resonance, acoustic, and other modalities; (2) facilitate communication and possible research collaborations among DOE laboratory, NIH intramural, and academic investigators; and (3) communicate opportunities for funding related collaborative research. A summary of the workshop including the proceedings and recommendations (executive summary and detailed summary), program, and attendees is available. The workshop was sponsored by the DOE's Office of Biological and Environmental Research and the NIH's National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

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