July 2001

 IC International Representatives Meeting

July 10, 2001

Summary

In attendance:  Dr. Karl Western, NIAID; Dr. Ruth Hegyeli, NHLBI; Dr. Federico Welsch, NCI; Dr. Della Hahn (for Dr. Miller), OER; Dr. Philip Chen, OIR; Ms. Linda Reck, OAR; Dr. Lois Cohen, NIDCR; Dr. Juan Ramos, NIMH; Mr. Gray Handley, NICHD; Dr. Jose Serrano, NIDDK, Ms. Patricia Turner, NINDS, Dr. Jerry Robinson, NICRR, Dr. Elliot Siegel, NLM; Ms. Peggy Murray, NIAAA, Mr. John Whtiacker, NEI; Ms. Marta Welsh, NIA; Dr. Steve Gust; Dr. John Norvell, NIGMS; Ms. Eleanor Hanna and Ms. Shari Nemeth, ORWH; Mr. Amar Bhat, OIRH/OS/DHHS; Dr. Allen Holt, FIC; Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, FIC; Ms. Chris Keenan, FIC.

Also participating: Dr. Dan Raiten, NICHD; Dr. Barry Kramer, OD; Dr. Martina Vogel, OD; Ms. Irene Edwards, FIC; Ms. Jennifer Cabe, FIC; Ms. Natalie Tomitch, FIC; Dr.Karen Hofman, FIC; Mr. Michael McDowell, FIC; Mr. Bruce Butrum, FIC; Dr. Ken Bridbord, FIC; Dr. Aron Primack, FIC;  Aaron Windecker, DITR intern.

Dr. Barry Kramer, NIH Associate Director for Prevention Research and Director of the Office of Medical Applications for Research, Office of the Director, made a presentation on NIH activities in prevention research (overheads attached), outlining the spectrum of prevention efforts from basic research efforts to health services research efforts.  OD is establishing a database of prevention research activities following on the work of a Prevention Research Coordinating Committee.  Coding of research activities was discussed, and the international dimensions in particular.

Dr. Dan Raiten, Office of Prevention Research and International Programs, NICHD, described the efforts of the National Academy of Science's Food and Nutrition Forum, supported by NICHD, FIC, and other NIH components.  Dr. Raiten noted in addition that the trans-NIH coordinating committee on nutrition, chaired by NIDDK's Van Hubbard, is now considering a proposal to establish a sub-committee on international nutrition efforts. That proposal has the support of both NICHD and FIC.  IC Reps were asked to discuss the proposal within their respective institutes and provide feedback to Dr. Raiten.  Dr. Hrynkow informed the group that the September meeting of the IC international reps would consider the broad topic of nutrition.  A report from the recent workshop held in Latin America on the micronutrient research agenda will be made.  Dr. Hrynkow requested input on other possible areas of consideration under the broad nutrition umbrella.

Ms. Irene Edwards, FIC Information Officer, led the discussion on potential changes to the develop of the Annual Report of International Activities, to which all ICs contribute a chapter and whose development is shepherded by FIC on behalf of the ICs.  The ICs were generally positive to the report and suggested ways to strengthen and improve it. This included:  better indexing; less reporting of individual trips; standardized formatting of chapters; possibility of including color photos; adding IC logos to the introductory pages;

There was general agreement that the overview chapter, prepared by FIC and containing charts by country and mechanism, was among the most useful features of the report.  If NIH could code for international activities, including foreign components of domestic grants, the Reps agreed that the development of such information would be more effective, and would provide greater access to the information.  One concern about the time in which it take to publish the report was raised; in some cases, information contained in the report was out of date even before publication.  FIC will consider all the suggestions and come back to the Reps with a scenario to improve the development of the Report.

Announcements: Dr. Hrynkow thanked the group for input into the IC International Highlights and welcomed additional comments.  Dr. Welsch noted that, due to travel, NCI did not have the opportunity to provide input during the last round.  Dr. Hrynkow welcomed two new FIC staff members, Dr. Aron Primack, who will lead the FIC Program on Tobacco Prevention and Control and the International Training and Research Program on Environmental and Occupational Health, and Mr. Michael McDowell, FIC Senior Advisor, who will work on international communications policies issues as part of the Division of Advanced Studies and Policy Analysis and in conjunction with the FIC Director's Office.  She also recognized Mr. Amar Bhat, who has recently joined the OIRH in the Secretary's Office and who participated in the meeting on behalf of OIRH. Dr. Hrynkow recognized Ms. Chris Keenan, new designate serving as the Executive Secretariat for the IC International Reps meeting.  Ms. Keenan is well-known to many in the group, having served in FIC's Division of International Relations for many years before joining the FIC Director's Office.

Next meeting:  September 26, 2001 at 1:00 PM in Building 31, Conference Room 10.

Updated May 2003