Stem Cell Training Fellowships for Journalists
Are there any costs?
Successful applicants will receive travel, course and living expenses.
Who can apply?
Applications are invited from working science writers in print, broadcast and electronic
media. Four fellowships will be offered annually.
When are the fellowships offered?
Because lab training sessions are ongoing, successful applicants will have some flexibility
in choosing a training date. The recurring nature of the sessions also means that
applications can be submitted at any time.
How do I apply?
To apply, send a brief letter of application and a current CV to: Sharon Dunwoody,
The Graduate School, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison,
WI 53706, dunwoody@wisc.edu. For more information,
contact Terry Devitt at (608) 262-8282 or trdevitt@wisc.edu
Since late 1998, when human embryonic stem cells were first isolated and cultured at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the university, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and scientists working with stem cells have been under a news media microscope. The intense public and media interest in stem cells derives from the great potential and controversy associated with the cells. For better or worse, the public’s perception of stem cell research is greatly influenced by news media coverage of the science and issues associated with the cells.
To increase opportunities for journalists to become more familiar with stem cell science and research conducted at Wisconsin and at other institutions, a fellowship program has been established that would permit up to four journalists per year to attend the two-day "Introduction to Humans Embryonic Stem Cell Methods" course now offered through the WiCell Research Institute, an arm of WARF. The course, through an intensive lab experience, is designed to help scientists using Wisconsin’s stem cell lines become more familiar with the protocols and nuances of working with these special cells.
The fellowship promises:
- An intensive lab experience intended to make journalists more familiar with many aspects of the bench work involved with human embryonic stem cells.
- A rare hands-on opportunity to learn more about stem cell science and programs of research.
- Exposure to many of the scientists who will be working with stem cells at Wisconsin and elsewhere as the class is taken by lab personnel from institutions worldwide.
In addition to the two-day stem cell culture methods class, fellows will have an additional day to explore the stem cell research landscape at UW-Madison. A leading center of human embryonic stem cell research, UW-Madison has at least 30 faculty exploring many aspects of stem cell science, ranging from ethical and social issues to the basic biology of stem cells. Selected fellows will be strongly encouraged to explore individual labs and programs during their brief stay, and UW-Madison staff are happy to assist fellows in their lab selections.
Journalists chosen for the fellowship will receive a stipend to cover the costs of travel, food and lodging. In addition, the fee for the stem cell culture course will be waived. While free to report on their experiences, journalists would be asked to be released from their everyday responsibilities in exchange for the fellowship opportunity.
Selection of fellows is by a committee composed of UW-Madison faculty and staff and a representative of WARF. The committee is responsible for general oversight of the program and selects fellows from a pool of applicants. For more information, contact Terry Devitt (608) 262-8282, trdevitt@wisc.edu.