Thinkstock Until the last couple of years transgender issues and rights were not even on the proverbial back burner. They were at best a very distant thought light years away for most. Suddenly gay marriage was the law of the land, and the push for rights for the final segments of the LGBT community became front and center. Many school districts here in New Jersey were no exception, with policies being drafted and debated everywhere. Weve heard all the arguments about keeping transgender kids to the bathrooms of the gender they were born with. Boys will pretend to be trans girls just to peep on girls. Yeah, because trans kids are never ever picked on and vilified in public schools so a boy would have no awkwardness about pretending such a thing. I dont want my daughter seeing male body parts in the school bathroom! What girls room has urinals? Theyre all inside stalls. Males can go in female bathrooms to rape females! If the much more serious criminal charge of rape vs. the lesser charge of trespass doesnt stop them, then they can already be going right in to the female bathrooms to rape all they want. The latest … Continue reading →

Fort Worth Star Telegram From 'evaluate' to 'examine': a key difference in how students will learn biology Fort Worth Star Telegram The Texas State Board of Education tentatively voted to remove language in high school biology standards that would have required students to challenge evolutionary science. Currently, the curriculum requires students to evaluate scientific ... Texas education board nears compromise on evolution standardsTexas Tribune Texas education board to consider compromise on evolution standardsBig Country Homepage Texas State Board of Education debating how evolution should be ...KXAN.com KUT all 25 news articles » See the original post here: From 'evaluate' to 'examine': a key difference in how students will learn biology - Fort Worth Star Telegram … Continue reading →

University of Oregon DNA researcher Diana Libuda, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and the Institute of Molecular Biology, has been named a 2017 Searle Scholar. The award is handed out each year to 15 exceptional young faculty in the biomedical sciences and chemistry, according to the Searle program description. Searle scholars each receive $300,000 in flexible funding to support independent research over three years. Libudas lab focuses on how DNA is repaired during sperm and egg development to ensure genome inheritance from one generation to another and utilizes the roundworm C. elegans as a model system. Libuda was selected from a field of 196 applicants from 143 universities and research institutions. Its a huge honor, Libuda said. The people who have received this award, both here at the UO and elsewhere, is a list of very prestigious scientists. I was thrilled and excited to be recognized and in that same echelon of people. Libuda came to the UO in January 2015 after serving as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University. This is an outstanding accomplishment that places professor Libuda among the top young researchers in the nation in biomedical and chemical sciences, said David Conover, the UOs … Continue reading →

Sophomore Jessica Sales does not take life for granted. She enjoys helping people in need and encourages others to do the same. She lost her grandmother to lung cancer. This showed me to live life to the fullest but always keep God first and live your life through Him, she said. One of her most exciting moments in her life was when she got saved and baptized. My best friend Cassie and I got saved and baptized on the same day and its something Ill never forget, Sales said. A student at Grainger High, she thinks hunger is one of the greatest challenges facing America today. I work closely with Second Harvest (Food Bank) and (it) is the first step to ending hunger, she said. In addition to volunteering with Second Harvest, Sales is a seven-time national champion clogger. She also models and acts for Talent Trek Agency and Miss Smoky Mountains Outstanding Teen. In her free time, she clogs, sings, plays guitar and ukulele and participates in pageants. She sees Dolly Parton as her hero because she is such a generous person. She donated thousands to the Gatlinburg relief efforts, Sales said. She (also) sings, plays guitar and acts … Continue reading →

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In a unanimous vote, the Board of Trustees of the Center for Infectious Disease Research (CID Research) appointed John Aitchison, professor and chief science officer, as president and director. Aitchison will amplify the world recognition of the Centers research and vision. CID Research is renowned for cutting-edge research with an impact that will increase exponentially with John, a leader who cares deeply about the humanitarian side of science along with the success of the Center and the people who work here, says Board of Trustees Chairman Irwin Goverman. We are excited about his vision for the future. Aitchison has held key leadership roles at CID Research since 2011. He is internationally recognized as a pioneer of the systems biology approach combining computational and high-throughput biology, most recently applying this to infectious disease. Aitchisons activity in the scientific community is extensive, including teaching, editorial and advisory roles with international universities, journals, research institutes and biotech companies. I am confident in Johns vision and ability to ensure our Center continues its forty-year tradition of innovation and impact in infectious disease research, says Kenneth Stuart, CID Research founder and professor. I am honored by the Boards confidence and for the opportunity … Continue reading →