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our story. We discovered the association principle, speed this recovery in funding for Another trend in scientiic research that has

of AD-relevant amyloid beta-peptide with scientiic research. First, scientists need to grown more prominently in the last decade

free radical oxidative stress and were irst become better at developing an “elevator is the move toward translational research.

or among the irst to demonstrate oxidative speech.” That is, in just a brief period be able One can debate the merits of this trend,

stress in AD brain and its earlier forms that to explain to a non-scientist what it is you but the fact is the government representing

led to a paradigm shift in thinking about do and why this research potentially could the public wants to know that public funds

the pathogenesis of AD; we pioneered the matter to this person. In the past, scientists have relevance to their lives. In my opinion,

ield of redox proteomics and used this to often intentionally or unintentionally have scientists have to do better at making the

identify speciically oxidatively modiied spoken to lay persons in language that could case in ways that are understandable by

brain proteins in AD and its earlier forms, not possibly be understood—so why should federal and state leaders for basic research,

from which key pathways have emerged that people support funding research that makes from which new advances for betterment of

may underlie progression of this dementing no sense to them? People who adopt your humankind invariably will result. Similarly,

disorder; and we believe we have identiied a enthusiasm and sense of importance about scientists must recognize that in an era of

mechanism by which CICI occurs, particularly your research talk to their governmental decreased funding, increased emphasis

with chemotherapy agents that do not cross representatives. The second thing to do is on translational research that results in

the blood-brain barrier.
to become more involved in making the case improved health and well-being for people

that research funding is a job creator and an will lead to support for elevated funding for
DOT: What do you think is the direction the
economy-stimulating program. About 75% scientiic research generally.
Oxidative Stress ield is heading?
or more of grant budgets are for personnel,
DOT: Being a mentor, you have shaped many
In my view, a greater understanding that not
who have to be hired and who spend money
all free radicals are harmful and some are students (graduate and postdoc) to enter
locally. All Congressional districts in principle
academic and industry research, any tips
involved in cellular signaling is a growing and could beneit from grant funding. And, in
how to shape individuals for these scientiic
exciting area of oxidative stress research. In the case of NIH funding, it is possible that
ields?
addition, a greater recognition that oxidative new insights into disease modiication may

stress, when not controlled, plays key roles emerge, helping our whole nation. Bottom I was honored to receive from President Clinton

in numerous disease processes in humans, line - we as scientists have to become better in the White House the Presidential Award

animals, and plants also is a growing and advocates for scientiic research funding.
for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and

exciting area of oxidative stress research.
Engineering Mentoring. This award was for
DOT: How has science/research changed
my training many Ph.D. and undergraduate
DOT: In the current climate in which during your life as a scientist?
students and postdoctoral scholars who
investigators are faced with decreased NIH
One signiicant development is the increased were from Appalachia, were women, or
funding for research and low morale, what is
complexity of important research problems were persons of color. All three groups are
the best advice?
which requires more and more collaboration signiicantly underrepresented in the faculty

Research funding seems to run in cycles. In the
among scientists of different expertise. My ranks in the discipline of chemistry. My
nearly 40 years I have been a faculty member,
advice to new scientists entering our ield mentoring philosophy is straightforward:
I have seen several boom and bust periods for
is to be lexible in your thinking and open
Require the highest possible standards for
scientiic funding. So, I would urge continued to new ideas from others. Without a doubt
success and then provide opportunities,
best efforts in research, since eventually, my laboratory’s success in research has
support, and encouragement to help each
if past is prologue, things will get better. signiicantly beneited from this approach.
person achieve these standards and
However, in my opinion, two things could, in

SFRBM Newsletter // June 2014 // Radical View • Dr. Allan Butterield

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