If you’ve ever met ASBMB science policy fellow Julie McClure — say at the annual meeting tweetup or on Capitol Hill — you probably wouldn’t describe her as shy. In the online issue, ASBMB Today contributor Pumtiwitt McCarthy profiles McClure to let us know how the gutsy woman went from the lab to the halls where laws are made and what kind of advice she has for scientists in a variety of scenarios. A sneak peak: “Stop referring to careers outside of academia as ‘alternative.’ If only one out of 10 biology Ph.D.s becomes tenured faculty at an R1 university, then academia is the exception – not the rule.”

ASBMB Today contributor Connor Bamford reports on the happenings at the Seattle-based Allen Institute for Brain Science, which just got an infusion of $300 million from Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen, bringing his total financial investment in the independent research center to a reported $500 million.

The NIH has announced a new program devised to test new models of collaboration and quickly to provide therapies for diseases currently lacking effective treatment.

Last month, ASBMB Today contributor Aruni S. Arachchige Don launched her online-only series about the skills that young scientists should acquire to advance their careers — both inside and outside of the lab. It seems her message resonated with readers, as her introductory column was consistently one of the most-read articles on the site. Don’t miss her column this month about written and oral communication.

The ASBMB Undergraduate Affiliate Network is pleased to introduce the newest members to the ASBMB National Honor Society. These outstanding students have been selected based on their academic success, research achievements and commitment to science outreach.

Last May, more than 150 graduate students and postdocs attended ASBMB’s special symposium “What Can I Do With My Ph.D.?” and to see presentations on career fields ranging from academia and industry to science policy and writing.

Citing “personal reasons,” Nobel prize-winning physicist Carl Wieman is stepping down as associate director for science at the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education is now accepting applications for its Vision and Change Leadership Fellows Program.