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April Workshops on Using the Rules of Life- Application Deadline 3/29


March 25, 2022

Using the Rules of Life to Address Societal Challenges
Join us for workshops that will focus on topics raised at the March 15 Town Hall 
 
On March 15, 2022, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) held a Town Hall bringing together a multidisciplinary group of researchers to discuss using the ‘rules of life’ to address societal challenges and to identify challenges ripe for this approach. Further background on the event and how it fits with NSF’s Understanding the Rules of Life Big Idea can be found on nsf.gov at https://www.nsf.gov/events/event_summ.jsp?cntn_id=304390&org=BIO.
 
The ideas from that Town Hall have been distilled into the following topics which will serve as focal points for four workshops. Each workshop will consider how all the STEM disciplines (including biology, chemistry, computer sciences, engineering, geosciences, mathematics, physics, social, behavioral, and economic sciences) could be used to tackle a specific problem. All workshops will incorporate cross-cutting themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion and STEM education, training, and workforce development. 
 
Participation in the workshop is by application only. Applications will open on March 21, 2022 and close on March 29, 2022. 
 
Additional ‘incubator’ - https://apply.hub.ki/urolpostdocs/ events will provide further engagement for postdocs attending the workshops. Whether or not you are able to participate, we strongly encourage and request you share this information with postdocs in your networks.
 
 
Workshop 1: Stewarding an Integrated Biodiversity-Climate System (April 14, 2022 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT)
We are learning the Rules of Life that govern the essential role of biodiversity in controlling function, maintenance, and adaptation of every ecosystem on Earth. We are also learning that biodiversity and climate are inextricably linked and that everything affecting one affects the other. How might these lessons help us to predict, preserve, and harness the benefits of biodiversity for human society and the natural world?
 
Workshop 2: Achieving a Sustainable Future (April 19, 2022 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT)
We are learning the Rules of Life that govern the complexity of interconnected living systems at multiple scales, e.g., from natural and synthetic cells to organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere. As we learn more about the ways that living systems use and re-use natural resources, how might these lessons help us devise strategies to improve sustainability?
 
Workshop 3: Harnessing Microbiomes for Societal Benefit (April 21, 2022 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT)
We are learning the Rules of Life that govern the individual and collective metabolism, physiology, signaling, and interaction of different microbiomes, as well as their composition and responses to evolving environments. As we learn more about the roles of microbiomes in all living systems, how might these lessons help us to improve human society and the biosphere?
 
Workshop 4: Leveraging AI and Data for Predicting Mechanisms (April 26, 2022 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT)
We are learning the Rules of Life that govern the prediction of an organism’s observable characteristics from interactions of its genome with the environment.  At the same time, novel research on artificial intelligence and data analytics is providing essential tools for integrating Rules of Life data.  How might these lessons help us to improve our ability to use AI and Data Science?
 
Postdoc 'incubators' - https://apply.hub.ki/urolpostdocs/
•Kick-off Incubator (all selected postdocs): April 12, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
•Writing Incubator A: April 22, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT *
•Writing Incubator B: May 2, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT **
•Wrap-up Incubator (all selected postdocs): May 17, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT
 
* attendees of workshops 1 and 2
** attendees of workshops 3 and 4
 
Sincerely,
 
Terry Quinn
Division Director, OCE

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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