Synapse - Life Sciences News Digest of the Medical center of the americas

1.   The National Institutes of Health on May 3 unveiled a collaborative program that will match researchers with a selection of pharmaceutical industry compounds to help scientists explore new treatments for patients. Initial partners include Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly which have agreed to make dozens of their compounds available. The pilot program incorporates innovative template agreements designed to streamline the legal and administrative process for participation by multiple organizations. These template agreements reduce time, cost, and effort, as well as allow greater participation than traditional partnerships. Participating industry partners will retain the ownership of their compounds, while academic research partners will own any intellectual property they discover with the right to publish. Notice of Intent to Publish a Request for Pre-applications:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-TR-12-001.html   Request for Informaiton: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-TR-12-002.html  RFI deadline is June 1.

1.   The Elsevier Foundation is inviting new grant proposals for the 2012 New Scholars programs. The New Scholars Program supports projects by nonprofit organizations to help early- to mid-career women scientists balance family responsibilities with demanding academic careers. The program provides grants to STEM institutions and organizations that are actively working toward a more equitable academia by encouraging networking and collaborations among institutions and/or across STEM disciplines in ways that support the challenges of faculty and staff with family responsibilities; developing and implementing strategies for advocacy and policy development to advance knowledge, awareness, and application of programs to retain, recruit, and develop women in science; and enabling scientists to attend conferences, meetings, workshops, and symposia that are critical to the development of a career in science by helping them with childcare and other family responsibilities during their attendance. Grants will provide one-, two-, and three-year awards of between $5,000 and $50,000 per year, up to a project total of $100,000. Please note that this year the foundation has implemented a new two-step application process. First-round applications will be accepted through June 24 via the foundation's online application system. Shortlisted candidates will be announced in early July, 2012, and invited to submit a full proposal in the second round.  http://www.elsevierfoundation.org/new-scholars/how-to-apply/

2.   The Institute of Museum and Library Services is accepting applications for the Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums grant program, co-funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation through its Digital Media and Learning Initiative. The program will support the planning and designing of up to 30 Learning Labs in libraries and museums in the U.S.  The labs are intended to engage middle- and high-school youth in mentor-led, interest-based, youth-centered collaborative learning using... [more]

1.   The 8th National Conference on Quality Health Care for Culturally Diverse Populations will be held March 11-14, 2013 in Oakland, Calif. The theme is "Achieving Equity in an Era of Innovation and Health System Transformation." Presentation proposals for this important conference on cultural and linguistic competence and health equity are now being solicited. Proposals are due June 1.  http://www.diversityrx.org/conference/call-proposals-2013

2.   The AAMC, as a partner in the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC), has announced a call for submissions for competency-based learning and assessment resources, in support of the IPEC Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice report. Funded in part by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, this initiative is designed to create a national clearinghouse of competency-linked learning resources for interprofessional education and models of team-based or collaborative care. The AAMC, with guidance from the IPEC-MedEdPORTAL Advisory Committee, will select up to fifteen (15) applicants for resource development awards of $2,000 to accelerate content refinement in preparation for formal submission and peer-review to MedEdPORTAL. The award application deadline is Friday, May 25 at 5p (EDT) with applicants notified of funding decisions by June 18.  http://www.mededportal.org/ipe

3.   Organizers of Mano y Corazon: Binational Conference of Multicultural Health Care Solutions have issued a call for podium and poster presentations. Individuals who are innovating health care delivery and proving new strategies by working across disciplines or jurisdictions in team-based approaches are encouraged to submit applications by June 15. The conference takes place in El Paso Oct. 1-2. Keynote speaker is Don M. Berwick, MD, former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The goal of the conference is to identify and present proven strategies for delivering health care in multicultural communities through collaborative, culturally-appropriate approaches. Please note, the application... [more]

1.   The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is accepting nominations for the second annual Gates Vaccine Innovation Award, which aims to recognize, celebrate, and spur transformative ideas for achieving health impact through the delivery of vaccines. For this award, the foundation is looking for ideas big and small that are resulting in tangible improvements in vaccine coverage in developing country communities. The award will recognize individuals or teams that have used innovative approaches to vaccine delivery and as a result improved vaccine coverage among those who need them most. Nominees will be assessed on three broad criteria: 1) Developing country impact; 2) Innovation and creativity; and 3) Scale.  Note – nominations focused on innovation in research and development are not eligible for consideration. This award is focused only on projects that use innovative systems, processes, tools, and technologies to achieve better immunization. The foundation will recognize the winning innovation with a $250,000 prize. Nomination deadline is Aug. 31. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/vaccines/Pages/vaccine-innovation-award.aspx  

2.   SCHOLARSHIP: Del Sol Medical Center Auxillary is accepting applications from students who are seeking careers in medically related fields. Applicants must meet certain requirements, such as: the student must be a resident of El Paso County; the student must be pursuing a degree in a medical field; the student must attend a medical school or medical instructional facility in El Paso County, or be under the direction and supervision of a medical school located in El Paso County. Post graduate applications will not be considered. Deadline for the Fall 2012 semester is June 30. Deadline for the Spring 2012 semester is Oct. 15. Grants range from $500 and $1,000 per semester. http://www.epcc.edu/FinancialAid/Documents/Del%20Sol%202012-2013.pdf

3.   New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center, the university's economic development hub, is... [more]

1.   TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine plans to begin recruiting fellows in July 2013 for its medical toxicology fellowship, which was accredited in 2010. The fellowship is a 24-month training program uniquely designed to leverage the breadth of pathology endemic on the U.S./Mexico border. Fellows will experience a curriculum that includes active involvement in managing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear exposures. Fellows will gain experience in the evaluation and management of an array of differential diagnoses. The experience offers an unparalleled interface with toxicological issues distinctive to the border region. They will also benefit in leading research being carried out at the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. Fellows will be recruited from within the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine as well as from across the U.S., said Stephen W. Borron, M.D., professor of emergency medicine and toxicology at TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine.  Dr. Borron is also a consultant to the West Texas Regional Poison Center (WTRPC), located in El Paso on the Medical Center of the Americas campus. The WTRPC is the first 24-hour fully bilingual regional poison center certified by the... [more]

Department of Veterans Affairs 

Y--Project No. 756-302 Construct/Expand Dental and Prosthetics
Solicitation # VA25812R0341, Response Date: 7/23/2012, POC: Melissa D. Warmath (602) 200-2380
Melissa.Warmath@va.gov , Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned set-aside, NAICS 236220

State Purchasing

Selection of a Vendor to Provide Supervising Physician and Alternate Supervising Physician Services
Solicitation # 724-1214-WEPIM, Response Date: TBD, POC: Patricia Myers 915-747-5338
pmyers@utep.edu

RFP No.: 724-1210-MP Development of a Marketing Plan for a Smoke Free Paso del Norte -- Solicitation # 724-1210-MP, Response Date: TBD, POC: Lilia De Anda 915-747-5591; ldeanda@utep.edu

ELECTRIC SERVICE UPGRADE ADMINISTRATION & PHYSICAL SCIENCE BLDGS -- Solicitation # 28321535-WEYLC, Response Date: TBD, POC: Bonnie Corkran 915-747-5488; ycorkran@utep.edu