NIEHS Initiates National Toxicogenomics Research Consortium

Internship Opportunities in Bioethics The NIEHS is offering a limited number of internships in environmental policy and ethics. Interns participating in the Program in Environmental Health Policy and Ethics (PEHPE) examine policy issues and conduct research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Potential projects examine issues in environmental regulation and policy, impact of new technologies on risk assessment and risk management, toxicogenomics, environmental justice, and protection of human subjects in research. Applicants with existing research projects and applicants interested in developing a project to satisfy the requirements of an academic degree are strongly encouraged to contact the program director prior to applying. The program will begin with a one-week workshop on environmental regulation, health policy, and ethics. Following the workshop, interns will define a research project in association with the program director and a faculty mentor. Interns will participate in weekly seminars on issues in environmental policy and ethics, case discussions, and policy debates. Interns will present results of their research and analysis at a policy symposium in August. Applicants should be pursing an undergraduate or advanced degree in environmental health science, policy, law, ethics, philosophy, or a related field. In exceptional circumstances, consideration will be given to more established researchers and teachers. Interns will be selected on the basis of their previous accomplishments, commitment to scholarship, and professional interests. Internships should play an integral role in advancing the applicant's professional development. No prior experience in environmental health policy or ethics in necessary. Internships are limited to five months. Stipends are based on academic and professional experience, in accordance with the current U.S. government schedule. Internships begin in late spring, typically soon after the end of the academic year, and end on or before September 30. Interested applicants should submit an application including a résumé or curriculum vitae, a brief statement of interests and goals for the internship (750 words or less), two letters of reference, a writing sample, and academic transcripts. Application materials must be received by 1 March 2002. Social scientists have made significant strides in shedding light on the basic social and cultural structures and processes that influence health. Social and cultural factors influence health by affecting exposure and vulnerability to disease, risk-taking behaviors, the effectiveness of health promotion efforts, and access to, availability of, and quality of health care. Social and cultural factors also play a role in shaping perceptions of and responses to health …