Rent Asunder? 15% postdoc discount has to be text of a person’s finances and to
Are RU postdocs getting a fair covered by money transferred from determine once rent is paid, is the
deal in their housing costs? A pro- the University’s main operating remaining money sufficient to
posal for a postdoc rent increase is budget of around $200 million dol- meet basic requirements, such as
currently under review. To provide lars a year, which covers research and food, utilities, taxes, etc. Analyzing
our readers with more information graduate education programs. In the 2003 postdoc survey, 25% of
about this matter, in this issue of 2003 the amount transferred from postdocs living in RU housing are
Natural Selections we present details the main operating budget to meet struggling to make ends meet and
about current RU housing costs, the the 15% postdoc discount was are either in debt or have no
consequences of these housing costs $900,000. The proposal to abolish money left over at the end of the
for postdocs, and information about the postdoc discount has been put month once the basics are paid for
the process of housing policy decision on hold by the Nurse administration, (Table 3). Half of all postdoc
making. pending a review. households are left with less than
The University offers high At present rent levels, do RU $500 spare cash at the end of the
quality housing to all RU postdocs and postdocs get a good deal on their month. The greatest difficulties
the vast majority of housing owned by housing? Certainly many postdocs arise for those who have to sup-
the University is extremely close to the appreciate the quality and conven- port someone else on their
campus in a premium residential area. ience of the housing available and income. For instance, some for-
For details on current RU prices charged are lower than average eigners have to support a spouse
housing prices, see Table 1. How are for the neighborhood (Table 1). who cannot work because of visa
the RU housing prices set for post- However, some postdocs at RU are restrictions, and 75% of the two-
docs? The housing department has an paying a very high percentage of their people, one-income households
annual operating budget of over $15 income towards housing costs. In have less than $300 cash remain-
million dollars, which it has to balance 2003, a PDA survey was taken to ing at the end of the month. What
on the rent it collects. Eligible univer- gather information on RU postdoc is the situation like for those sup-
sity members in RU housing – senior income, rent and monthly living porting children? The three-peo-
faculty, research associates, and senior expenses. One criteria for affordable ple, two-income households seem
administrators – get charged a stan- housing is given by the US Govern- to have a reasonable degree of
dard base rate of rent, depending on ment’s Department of Housing and financial security (Table 3), but the
apartment type, that does not vary Urban Development, which defines situation is far less comfortable
based on the income of the tenant. At an affordable rent burden as paying for the specific case of a four-peo-
present, postdocs receive a 15% dis- 30% of your income in rent. In the ple, two-income household of two
count off this base rate. However, in 2003 PDA survey, over 75% of two- Continued on page 3
the summer of 2003, a proposal was income households were paying less Natural Selections Editorial
made by Acting President Tom Sak- than 30% of the household income Board:
mar to abolish the postdoc discount on rent. However, those in one
because of budgetary constraints. The income households often paid over Abraham, Mary
30% of their income in rent. For Berke, Ian
example, 25% of two-people, one- Colgan, Diana
income households were paying Deaconescu, Alexandra
between 41% and 60% of their pre- Duque, Paula
tax income in rent (Table 2). Howard, Ellen
Lainé, Muriel
Another way to try to assess Ligr, Martin
the fairness of housing costs is to Muralidharan, Vasant
consider them within the overall con-
1
2
Mexico are the base of the national pride, but Purple, blue, white are just some
By Pablo Meyer most indigenous people live in poverty of the different colors of maize
and are depreciated. you can find prepared as tlacoyos
Mexico is the most populous Mexico is thus a country of con- (long elliptic tortillas with beans),
Spanish-speaking country in the world: trasts, but not only social contrasts. The tostadas (hard tortillas), salbutes,
100 million inhabitants and a very best way to get initiated into the Mexican huaraches (flat elongated tortillas),
dynamic birth rate. Add to that 20 mentality is to read “The Labyrinth of gorditas (rounded small thick
million Mexicans living in the US Solitude” from the Mexican Nobel prize tortillas), and memelas (deep fried
(more than 4 million illegal, most of winner Octavio Paz. It is a classic and a tortillas).
them in LA, Chicago and NY), and perfect introduction to the incomprehen- Soccer is the national sport,
you can be pretty sure that the sible and labyrinthic mind of the but I think we are the only country
Mexican accent is going to be dominat- Mexican: Quiet, but jovial, very strong- in the world, outside the US, that
ing the Spanish speaking world (includ- headed, insecure and peaceful but has a baseball and a basketball
ing the US). unstoppable and violent once unchained. professional league, plus a college
The language of Cervantes is The 16th of September is the day football league. These American
becoming Mexican Quixotic. Huicho- when the independence war began in sports are really popular in
les, tzotziles, tzeltales, raramuris, pur- 1810 and a day of national festivities, Mexico!
hepechas, mixtecos… only a few people in the streets, mariachis, and a lot The proximity and distance
names from the more than 50 indige- of beer and tequila (even if I prefer of the US and Mexico is a com-
nous groups, composing the 10 million Mezcal which is more artisanal). The plex but real and very enriching
Mexicans that don't speak Spanish as a song that makes everybody cry is “Mex- fact: “Mexico tan lejos de dios y
first language. Some of the Mexicans ico lindo y querido, si muero lejos de tí, tan cerca de los Estados Unidos”
you see in every other restaurant and que digan que estoy dormido y que me (Mexico, so far from God and so
deli around NYC learn English directly traigan a tí” (beautiful Mexico, if I die close to the US) says a popular
from their native mixteco language (as away from you, they must say I am proverb. This proximity has defi-
they come from the region of Puebla). asleep and bring me back to you). nitely been an advantage for Mex-
But Mexico is mostly a mix of these Drinking is not a social shame as ico, but it is also the source of a
indigenous groups with the Spaniard- in the US, it is an obligation. Impossible lot of suffering. It has been terri-
Europeans. This real mix is what to reject an offer of a drink, and ble for the thousands of migrants
avoided the extermination tion of local yes…tequila can be very strong. The best every year trying to cross the
natives like in medicine for a long night of alcohol is an Tijuana-Berlin wall extended 3,000
the USA or early morning trip to a moving food km along the border, but
Argentina. market to get some really spicy food. economically Mexico has been
The Mexican Nothing better than a spicy hot benefited largely (and so has the
race of bronze “menudo” (soup) to cut the hangover. US). Migrants send back to their
was created Since childhood, we give a hard evolu- families as much money as the
by fusion of tionary pressure to our capsaicin whole resident national population
the European receptors: We just love spicy food, from produces. Mexican illegal workers
with t h e our sweet and spicy candies to just any- in the US are the hardest workers,
Aztec blood thing that you can imagine. Ah! and a lot 10-12 hours work a day, 7 days a
(by the way, of lime too, please, not just with corona. week. The problem back in Mex-
very original Mexico has just an amazing ico are the ridiculous wages:10
genetically). diversity of foods. If you think that the times less than the already ridicu-
hard tacos and guacamole are all you can lous $4 an hour they are paid here.
The symbol of this union is the get, I can tell you this is just the equiva- Nobody wants to work 12 hours a
brown-skinned Virgen de Guadalupe lent of Chinese food being reduced to day just to survive in misery.
that appeared, in the 16th century just sweet and sour pork. Every region in In spite of these major
after the conquest, to the indian Juan Mexico has excellent food: Very good problems, Mexico, just because of
Diego, and became mother of all the steaks and meat in the north, very origi- its size and its proximity to the
Mexican Catholics (90%). It is not nal local food in Oaxaca, Yucatan and biggest market in the world, has a
always easy though, to assimilate and Michoacan. Veracruz has the best sea- promising future. The elites have
understand this dual heritage: White food! It is true, though, that the basic to stop being selfish and parochial
skin and blond hair with European common element is corn. But there are and get more involved with the
manners are signs of social success; on just so many varieties of corn, the sweet
the other hand, pre-colombian cultures yellow American corn is pretty boring. Continued on page 4
3
"Rent Asunder?" continued from page 1
postdocs, who have an average of Table 1
$850 left over at the end of the Current Housing Costs
month to share between the entire Studio One Bedroom Two Bedroom Three Bedroom
household.
Average market price $1700 $2500 $4500 $8628
Some postdocs we talked to
Upper East Side (1)
were happy with their level of rent Monthly rents in RU $890 - $1100 $1080 - $1380 $1325 - $1940 $1800 - $2370
and general finances. Others were postdoc housing (2)
unhappy and cited a range of (1) Source 2002 Corcoran Report
problems that they have to face (2) Rates vary depending on location of housing and whether utilities are included
due to financial difficulties: prob-
lems in paying off student loans
and meeting childcare costs,
inability to start retirement savings Table 2
amongst other diffficulties. Some Rent as a percentage of household pretax income for
foreign postdocs also lament postdoc households at RU
financial restrictions limiting travel Household Top 25% Next 25 % Next 25 % Bottom 25%
back to their home countries. One person 57% to 38% 38% to 34% 34% to 30% 30% to 19%
How are changes in housing One income
policy decided? The Housing Two people 60% to 41% 41% to 37% 37% to 34% 34% to 28%
Department works with the Uni- One income
versity’s Executive Vice President Two people 38% to 25% 25% to 22% 22% to 18% 18% to 10%
who serves as the chief operating Two incomes
officer to ensure that housing Three people 53% to 44% 44% to 42% 42% to 34% 34% to 20%
resources meet demand. Cur- One income
rently, the PDA is not automati- Three people 34% to 22% 22% to 19% 19% to 17% 17% to 12%
cally present at meetings held to Two incomes
Source 2003 postdoc survey. Data from 161 postdocs living in RU housing
decide changes in housing policy
that directly affect postdocs,
although the PDA has met with
the housing department on a
number of occasions to discuss Table 3
policy changes. The final decision Remaining household monthly-spendable income after necessities are paid (food, utili-
on rents rests with the Executive ties, rent, taxes, etc) for postdoc households living at RU
Vice President under the direction Household Bottom 25% Next 25% Next 25 % Top 25%
of the President. One person -$800 to +$125 +$125 to +$400 +$400 to +$680 +$680 to +$1800
What are the solutions to One income
Two people -$1500 to -$300 -$300 to +$30 +$30 to +$300 +$300 to +$680
the housing issue? On one hand, One income
the University is faced with the Two people -$1200 to +$1250 +$1250 to +$2125 +$2125 to +$2900 +$2900 to +$5800
financial reality of balancing a Two incomes
budget, and there are also prob- Three people -$1500 to -$810 -$810 to -$110 -$110 to +$125 +$125 to +$570
lems outside the control of the One income
Three people +$500 to +$1100 +$1100 to +$1600 +$1600 to +$2200 +$2200 to +$6400
University (for example the NIH Two incomes
postdoctoral grants are not given All RU post- -$1550 to +$10 +$10 to +$460 +$460 to +$1160 +$1160 to +$6400
at an increased rate to those living docs
in metropolitan areas). Yet, acting Source 2003 postdoc survey. Data from 161 postdocs living in RU housing
as landlord, the university holds a
lot of power over the finances of
its workers and should ensure We thank Cathy Yarbrough and the PDA for providing some of the factual information that
they can meet their basic needs. formed the basis of this article.
After all, as one postdoc put it, “I
don’t want to have to worry about
money, when I could be thinking If you would like to comment on any of the issues raised in this article, please
about more interesting things…. send letters to the editors for publication to: naturalselections@rockefeller.edu
like science.” or Box 24. Comments may be published anonymously at the author's request.
4
"Mexico" continued from page 2
PDA News
interests of their country. In this con-
The Postdoctoral Association would text, science needs to be developed
like to congratulate the Editors and con- much more. Mexico can't be just a
tributors to Natural Selections on the publi- “maquiladora” country: China has
cation of the first issue of Natural Selec- already taken most of the manufacture
tions. We encourage all PDA members to industries that used to flourish near
SRC News support this publication. This column the border. Like the dragons of Asia,
Proposal for a New Housing provides reminders and updates of PDA Mexico needs to change its focus to
Lottery Schedule activities. become a technology-producing coun-
A proposal has been drawn try. For this, a lot of things need to be
up to address the concerns of stu- The Employee Assistance Program Con- done, institutes need to be created,
dents that the current housing lot- sortium (EAPC) is a free, confidential, PhD programs enhanced.
tery starts too late and takes too short term counseling and referral service The national University
long. This is just a proposal at this available to The Rockefeller University UNAM and the Polytechnical Insti-
stage. employees and their dependents. They are tute (IPN) are the main centers for
Housing dates are to be cir- located at 455 East 68th St and can be research. Cuernavaca, an hour from
culated April 1 by email and cam- contacted by phone: 212-746-5890, or Mexico city, and Irapuato 3 hours,
pus mail to facilitate planning by email: EAPC@mail.med.cornell.edu. For have two great centers for biotechnol-
students who will enter the lottery more details visit the PDA website at ogy. Private institutions (like the
and the current tenants of the www.rockefeller.edu/pdaPDANews.html famous “Tecnológico de Monterrey”
available apartments. All students or “Universidad Iberoamericana” ) are
are ranked within a lottery (i.e. the The PDA provides financial support for almost not involved in research, some-
one-bedroom lottery and the stu- Clubs and Societies. Please visit thing to be changed. A high ranked
dio/two-bedroom lottery) as per www.rockefeller.edu/pdaPDAStructure.html center for physics and biology is being
current housing rules. Students (Section G) for more information. developed in San Luis Potosi, a very
then meet at one of two meeting nice colonial city northeast of the
dates to see layouts of all available The Summer BBQ Policy now covers capital. In Merida, in the Yucatán pen-
apartments within that lottery. interlab social functions at the Faculty and insula (near Cancun), a center was cre-
Available apartments include Student Club throughout the year. To ated 10 years ago (CINVESTAV).
those apartments definitely to be find out how to get funding for your next Mexico has to take advantage of its
vacated and those apartments cur- social event, visit and scroll down long cultural history and local bio-
rently occupied by a student who www.rockefeller.edu/pdaPDANews.html diversity to develop modern biotech-
has entered the lottery. These lay- nology and to involve private capital
outs will include square feet, Finally, we would like to remind you to in research centers (less than 20% of
kitchen amenities, floor and side read PDA email as all our social and sci- research is financed by industry, 40%
of building. On these two meet- entific events are announced this way. An in Brazil). To that end, an already
ing days, apartments, or represen- RSVP will ensure that you receive all existing strong scientific community
tatives of similar classes of apart- event details and helps us to cater appro- has to be consolidated.
ments, must be available for view- priately. I almost feel it is an obliga-
ing. Current tenants will be tion for me to go back to Mexico. I
Allan Coop x7646; coopa@rockefeller.edu
informed of these showing dates Asifa Haider x7409; haidera@rockefeller.edu know things will not be as sweet as
April 1 and must allow their apart- Kevin O'Donovan x7453; odonovk@rockefeller.edu around here (except for the climate
ment to be shown. Students then André Ragnauth x8669; ragnaua@rockefeller.edu and the cheerfulness of the people). I
The Postdoctoral Association
have at maximum two weeks to The Rockefeller University
will be doing a different kind of sci-
submit a rank listing of their Flexner Hall--Room 220 ence. But I know too that I don't want
desired apartments or to withdraw Phone: 212-327-8260 to encourage the North-South rift,
from the lottery. Students are Fax: 212-327-8261 and staying around here is doing so.
encouraged to submit a rank list email: pda@rockefeller.edu Don't be surprised if one of these
earlier. The Housing Committee web: www.rockefeller.edu/pda years, one of the major scientific
will then perform a match based meetings (Neuroscience, Cell Biology,
on these lists. This type of system Natural Selections receives financial support
from The Rockefeller University Postdoc- Cancer) is held in Mexico. Americans
could be easily completed in under toral Association. just love going down there, and I
two months. would be glad for this to happen.
5
Book Review: Tepper Isn’t Going Out by Calvin Trillin special insights.” The amount of
Reviewed by Carine Waase pavement after he’s found a parking attention Tepper receives borders on
spot; Tepper is content to sit in his the ludicrous given his modest
“Sooner or later they would
Chevy Malibu reading the paper until demeanor and the typical length of a
presumably expect him to offer
the time on the meter runs out. New York sound byte. But realistic
some explanation of why he hap-
Who cares if an elderly man wants or not, Tepper’s parking antics pro-
pened to be sitting in his car at the
to sit in his car and read the paper, vide Trillin with the opportunity to
same spot… But he had no inten-
you may ask? Mostly everyone, it introduce readers to an abundance
tion of offering any explanation at
turns out, from the kosher deli man to of caricatured personalities, who,
all… He was in a legal parking spot.
the bike messenger to “Il Duce”, the though lacking in depth, provide the
He had put a quarter in the meter.
dictatorial mayor. A city of busybod- novel with many of its chuckles.
He was paid up.”
ies has a field day analyzing the Why does Tepper spend hours
The above scene replays itself
motives behind Tepper’s behavior, searching for parking spots that he
several times in Calvin Trillin’s latest
and the reader contributes his/her doesn’t need? Read the book; you’ll
novel, Tepper Isn’t Going Out. The
own conjectures. Media coverage enjoy a light, amusing read. But
novel’s protagonist, Murray Tepper,
gone haywire is responsible (or to don’t expect an answer. Tepper
has a passion for parking that bor-
blame?) for Tepper’s rise to fame. never provides us with a satisfying
ders on the obsessive, and spends a
Trillin wittily depicts media’s power to answer, and Trillin’s portrayal of
good deal of time in pursuit of the
transform an ordinary citizen going Tepper’s rise and fall from fame
perfect parking spot. Like his fel-
about his daily, if somewhat eccentric, gives us the impression that media
low New Yorkers, Tepper must bat-
routine into a local celebrity. Tepper, manipulation and personal biases
tle “Alternate Side of the Street”
a mild-mannered mailing list broker, prevent us from ever formulating an
and “Diplomat Only” parking regu-
comes to be hailed as a “model citi- objective view on anything. Trillin
lations. Unlike most of his fellow
zen,” a “symbol of the alienation of leaves us with the equally ambiguous
New Yorkers, however, Tepper has
our times,” and a hero “gifted with notion that some things are perhaps
no intention of stepping onto the better left with an air of mystery.
Extracurricular Suggestion: Improv at the UCB Theater and contributions into a complex set
By Mark Schroeder of scenes.
The specific long form the
The Upright Citizen's Brigade group performs is the Harold. The
consists of Amy Poehler (now also first rule of which is that it has no
on SNL), Matt Walsh, Matt Besser, rules, but there is a body of ideas
and Ian Roberts. Their sketch show that come from experience as to how
on Comedy Central lasted three sea- to approach it. The basic format is a
sons and funded their theater/ series of interconnected scenes in
school here in NYC. The group which characters, settings, relation-
focuses on long form improvisation ships, and themes are generated,
which they learned from Del Close, repeated, elaborated, and integrated.
probably THE guru of American Rather than planning out a whole
improv comedy. Del trained an scene on your feet, the idea is to
impressive list of comedians ranging react to the audience suggestion and
from Bill Murray to Mike Meyers to the subsequent choices of your
Chris Farley and is considered by group. The truth that comes from
many a major comedic genius of the natural reactions forms the substance
20th century. My introduction to of scenes. The audience suggestion
improv and the UCB was through need not be the theme of the piece,
Stefan Bekiranov, a post-doc in the which guides the oft chaotic flow of but rather provides a seed for the
Gaasterland lab who performed on scenes may not be apparent. For any- reactive process.
one of the Harold Teams, which led one amazed by evolution, long form The first guideline "yes and"
to my taking a UCB class. improv is an interesting form of art to helps avoid individuals pushing pre-
In improv, the act of creation, experience and contemplate because the conceived or initial notions of where
which is the basis of all art, takes piece evolves before the audience. It's a scene should go, while encouraging
place before the audience. To the amazing how a few simple ideas inte- everyone to contribute. "Yes" -
novice, the simple abstract structure grate and coordinate many small details Continued on page 6
6
gers for memories of past events.
Cyrano’s Brain further restricted to gene expression
from either the maternal or paternal Although the neuroanatomy of smell is
By Leslie Vosshall chromosome. The mechanism by relatively well described, we do not
Olfaction — the sense of smell which this choice is effected—and fully understand why and how olfactory
— is key for all animals to enjoy how the other 999 genes are cues are more efficient than visual or
pleasant stimuli (the scent of food, silenced—is unknown. Choosing to auditory cues at stimulating recollection
flowers, perfume) and avoid danger- express a single odorant receptor is of past events.
ous substances (smoke, rotting critical for the neuron to be sensitive The prime importance of olfaction
food, leaking cooking gas). This is to a specific subset of odors that to animals makes it possible to study
an interesting sensory modality to interact with a given odorant recep- different aspects of these questions in
study, because at the cellular and tor. flies, mice, and humans.
neural level it must recognize and What is the relationship
categorize thousands of different between the chemical nature of an
chemicals. Olfactory neurons odorant and its perceived smell?
express odorant receptor proteins There is at present no way to predict
that interact with subsets of these how a given odor will smell, given
odorants and relay odor-specific only information about its chemical
information directly to the primary structure. A lively debate in the field
olfactory relay in the brain. concerns whether the shape and CYRA NO :
A number of interesting and functional groups of an odor are "Ah no! young blade! That was a trifle short!
perplexing questions remain in the relevant for odor perception, or You might have said at least a hundred things
field: whether the vibrational energy of the By varying the tone. . .like this, suppose,. . .
How do vertebrate olfactory chemical bonds composing the odor- Aggressive: 'Sir, if I had such a nose
neurons choose to express a single ant is important. I'd amputate it!' Friendly: 'When you sup
odorant receptor gene from a reper- How do odors stimulate recol- It must annoy you, dipping in your cup;
toire of roughly one thousand lection of past events? We know that You need a drinking-bowl of special shape!...”
genes? This transcriptional choice is odors are particularly powerful trig- -Edmond Rostand
"Improv..." continued from page 5
accept every action of the other repeated asides to the audience).
The March to Mars
performers and validate it, even if it Natural quirks often lead to humor By Muriel Lainé
seems like a mistake. Trust their that reflects the inconsistencies of Two thousand and four may not be
choices and help them feel sup- everyday life and human interaction the year you will keep all the best reso-
ported enough to take risks. "And" and is not contrived or forced (like lutions you made, but it is definitely
- contribute information and detail my excessive parenthetical state- the year of Mars. This red planet that
about character relationships and ments). is now so close to Earth that several
setting. Classes are a lot of fun and programs were launched across the
Upon these elements, "mak- help with creativity, listening, public continents to get the best of it before
ing connections" is key to providing speaking, and cost $300 for eight 3 it gets too far. Among them is the
coherence (and is intertwined with hour classes (or $12.50/hr). The Rover’s mission. Some indifferent or
finding a game). Themes are gener- shows are a lot of fun, cheap (free - self-centered people can say it is just a
ated by playing off patterns in the $7), and happen nightly. Asscat, piece of red dust that turns around the
relationships and circumstances their flagship Sunday night show, is sun, but if you are even a little bit curi-
(wife yells at husband, who yells at one of the best and features guests ous about what is around you,
employee, who in turn yells at son). from the cast of Saturday Night whether it is close or far, I suggest you
The "first interesting thing" is a Live, Conan O'Brien, and The Sec- take a look at the Hubble and the
technique for finding a game in a ond City. Cage Match is another NASA websites. Amazing photo-
scene by taking the first unusual favorite which features two Harold graphs, video, press releases, and tech-
twist or pattern and playing with it teams competing for audience votes nical and scientific information are
(similar to mutation and selection). and a slot to defend their title the
Explicit jokes are discouraged espe- next week. For details, see: presented.
cially when they block the develop- http://www.ucbtheater.com/ http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/
ment of the scene by not commit- or http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/home/
ting to the reality of it (such as http://www.uprightcitizens.org/ index.html
7
RUFP Précis tional issues is crucial for individuals - Contact government representa-
By E.J. Muñoz-Elías, S. Leal, I.C. Berke, O. to form sensible opinions and execute tives at the local and national levels
Ahmad, C.D. Bess, A. Johnson, J. A. their democratic rights accordingly: regarding their positions on rele-
Degrasse, R. Pereira, J. Lowell, and C.
due to media homogenization and vant current issues.
corporate influence, people living in This past year we participated
Strambio de Castillia the U.S. are not exposed to the pano- in pro-peace rallies in and around
ply of opinions that exist regarding New York City and Washington
“For nothing can keep it [gov- important political/social issues D.C. We also campaigned
ernment] right but their own vigilant including war as a means of ending for passage of New York City
and distrustful superintendence.” (T. terrorism, globalization (forced Council's resolutions condemning
Jefferson) untimely privatization/liberalization), the invasion of Iraq and limiting
The Rockefeller University for world health (epidemics of the poor), the US Patriot Act I (still pending).
Peace (RUFP) is a group whose goal is biological/nuclear development, envi- We also organized the following
to contribute to the movement to pro- ronmental destruction, and first teach-ins: Discussion on the Cur-
mote peace and justice worldwide. At amendment rights (US Patriot Act I rent War in Iraq – Colleen Kelly
the dawn of the 21 st century, the U.S. is and II), among others. RUFP is a (September 11th Families for
the sole superpower and thus it is pre- place for learning, exchanging and dis- Peaceful Tomorrows), Ian Williams
sented with unique opportunities and seminating information about these (UN correspondent for The
challenges: the domestic and interna- issues in our community. While Nation), Richard Bulliet (Columbia
tional political agenda the U.S. imple- thinking globally, we plan to act University History professor); War
ments today might decisively affect the locally in the following ways: on Terror or Assault on Civil Lib-
path humanity will follow in the years - Organize seminars/teach-ins to dis- erties – Jameel Jaffer and Omar
to come. Will the U.S. government’s seminate information widely in the Jadwat (attorneys from the ACLU),
guiding moral ideological principles community. Adem Carrol (Community Advo-
foment the advancement of human - Increase the visibility of those who cate and 911 Relief Program Coor-
development and the pursuit of happi- want to express their views through dinator for Islamic Circle of N.
ness throughout? vigils, marches and rallies. America).
Knowledge of the historical, - Organize out-reach activities to raise RUFP will start meeting again
economic and political context sur- the level of political involvement in this January. Info at http://146-
rounding key domestic and interna- the community. 150.rockefeller.edu/~ian/RUFP/
Campus Extracurricular Groups
Society/Cla s s Contact Person Me eting Time s Plac e
Ballroom Dancing Mariah Quinn Mon. & Wed. Evenings Lasdon Terrace Room
(Maq2001@med.cornell.edu) Begins Jan. 12 (420 E. 70th St., 2nd Floor)
Capoeira Dancing Julie (baronj@rockefeller.edu) Mon., 8-9:30 PM Wed., 7-8:30 PM Founder’s Hall Exercise Room
Pimentinha (718 216-5448)
Central Park Softball Brandon Yoo Sundays during the summer Central Park
(brandon@mail.rockefeller.edu)
Creative Writing Group Antonia Martinez Thurs. (biweekly), 5-7 PM 1B Caspary
(Antonia@mail.rockefeller.edu)
Dance aerobics and Liz Mon. and Thurs. 6:30-8PM Founder’s Hall Exercise Room
body sculpting (campbee@rockefeller.edu)
Guitar Club (Beginners) Christian Janzen Thurs., 7-9 PM Music Room
(janzenc@rockefeller.edu) (next to Faculty Club)
Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga Class Amy Sullivan Mon., 12-1 PM; Tues., 5:30-6:30 Founder’s Hall Exercise Room
(sulliva@mail.rockefeller.edu) PM; Thurs., 1-2 PM
Jazz Dance Class (Beginners) Mariah Quinn Wed., 8:15-9:45 PM Lasdon Terrace Room
(Maq2001@med.cornell.edu) Starts Jan.14 (420 E. 70th St., 2nd Floor)
Pilates Mat Classes Amy Sullivan Wed., 8-9 AM; Fri., 8-9AM Founder’s Hall Exercise Room
(sulliva@mail.rockefeller.edu)
RU For Peace Caterina Strambio de Castillia See article, this issue TBA
(strambioc@rockefeller.edu)
Science & National Security Elizabeth Hanson “Eugenics” Thurs., Jan. 22, 4-6 PM RRB 110
Seminar (Daniel Kevles) (hansone@mail.rockefeller.edu)
Science & Society Journal Club RU Student Pugwash Mon., Feb. 2, 6:30 PM Faculty Club
pugwash@mail.rockefeller.edu)
Science & Society Seminar RU Student Pugwash Tues., Feb. 3, 4 PM Weiss 302
(pugwash@mail.rockefeller.edu) Prof. Joel Cohen; Human Popula-
tion: Situation and Prospects
8
"Thanks To Fresh Direct I Have Three Nature Papers," says graduate student.
By Mary Abraham
Norman Clature, a second year investigate the introductory free $50 via the jazz club, I would only get back
graduate student in the Laboratory of food available for new customers to campus after midnight. Then I
of Biological Procrastination, cele- ordering delivery of groceries from would wake up the next morning, real-
brated yesterday the publication of the online service Fresh Direct. “I still ize that I still hadn’t any milk, and the
yet another Nature cover article on remember that enchanted moment whole vicious cycle would begin
the six month anniversary of his new when I first saw their website and again.”
life solely within the bounds of realized that this was going to be the However, Norman’s lifestyle
Rockefeller territory. His life took a start of something beautiful,” took a definite change for the better
momentous turn in August when he reflected Norman yesterday. when he decided to order all his food
was put in charge of ordering food In 2003 Norman’s work was from Fresh Direct. Suddenly he had
for a laboratory farewell party in not progressing well, a fact that he space in his schedule to go to the lab.
honor of a departing postdoc. now realizes was not due to any fault “I had so much extra time to do
Another lab member suggested he of his, but rather stemmed from his experiments and I even began to rec-
need to leave campus in search of ognize other lab members," he recalls.
groceries. “That was where the prob- Norman has now entered into a crea-
lems would begin,” he recounted, “I tive period of enormous scientific pro-
would innocently go out to buy some ductivity. With three pioneering Nature
milk, overhear someone on the street cover articles already under his belt,
talking about the Yankees game and the future looks bright. However, this
before I knew what had happened I modest student isn’t letting success go
would be in the Bronx by the start of to his head. “Honestly,” he says, “I
the second inning. Returning home owe it all to Fresh Direct.”
Put a Little Fun in Your Steller Lab Playlist
Life This Summer! Compiled by resident DJ Ann
By Bonnie Kaiser and Joe Alonzo "The Apoptosizer" Tang
Oh Death -Diane Izzo
Try mentoring a high school
student or K-12 teacher. Every Learn To Fly -Foo Fighters
year about 50 high school students License to Kill -Bob Dylan
are matched with RU scientists. Dead on Arrival -Grim Reaper
Applications are circulated to Lab
Heads and if you have the time and Follow the Reaper -Children of Bodom Natural Selections n e e d s y o u !
interest, you could select a student Please send articles for publication,
Live and Let Die -Paul Mc Cartney letters to the editors, or get involved
- from over 250 who apply - to
work with you. I Just Want'a Fly -Sugar Ray in the production of Natural Selec-
For more information please visit Die Another Day -Madonna tions.
www.rockefeller.edu/outreach, email Killing Me Softly -The Fugees naturalselections@rockefeller.edu
bonnie, call x7431, or drop by NR Box 24
Dying to Be Alive -Hanson
412.
I Believe I Can Fly -R. Kelly
I Wish I Was A Fly -The Voorhees
Death and the Maiden -Schubert
Natural Selections is not an official
Death and Transfiguration -Strauss publication of The Rockefeller Uni-
Oh Death, How Bitter Are You -Brahms versity. University administration
Death Don’t Have No Mercy does not produce this newsletter.
-The Grateful Dead The views expressed by writers in
Take these primers kid, clone that gene, this publication may not necessarily
and your name is going to be up there, Pardon Me, I've Got Someone to Kill reflect views or policies of the Uni-
on Broadway, in bright lights ! -Lonesome Bob versity.