rrsNews
| Vol. XXXIV, No. 1 | April, 2001 |
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| The Education and Training Committee (ETC)
continues to place special emphasis on addressing and meeting the needs of the graduate
students and post-docs in the Society. However, this year, our committee has extended its
mission in an attempt to meet the needs of another group of RRS members: the basic
scientists and program directors involved in teaching radiobiology to radiation oncology
residents (see below). The ETC will be involved in the organization of two functions at the RRS 2001 meeting in San Juan that are specifically geared toward young investigators. Based on the success of, and attendance at, the Career Development Workshop and the Student Social at the RRS 2000 meeting in Albuquerque, the ETC will again coordinate these events for the San Juan meeting. The Student Social not only allows students to mix and mingle with selected senior members of RRS, but also provides an opportunity for students to get to know one another. As for the Career Development Workshop, we have arranged with Paul Strudler to hold an NIH Mock Study Section for graduate students and post-docs on Sunday, April 22, at 3:45 pm. The intent of the Mock Study Section is to provide junior investigators with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the grant review process in order to become better grant writers. All registered student members may attend the Student Social; however, participation and attendance at the NIH Mock Study Section is limited. In addition, the ETC has also been given a refresher course timeslot for the San Juan meeting, and has been actively planning a session on the topic of radiobiology teaching for residents in radiation oncology. Elaine Zeman, Eric Hall, and Mark Dewhirst have agreed to participate in this session entitled "Toward a Consensus on Radiobiology Teaching to Radiation Oncology Residents." Elaine will present an overview of some of the frustrations encountered by the basic scientists who are responsible for teaching the residents, as well as resident's frustrations in preparing for the American Board of Radiology (ABR) radiobiology board exam. Additionally, Elaine will address uniformity in teaching, drawing from a survey of residency program directors and radiobiology course coordinators. Eric will present information about the breakdown of questions and subcategories on the exam, and will provide some insight as to how questions actually make it onto the board and in-service exams. Mark will present an overview of ideas and suggestions from a similar session which was held at the recent ASTRO meeting in October, and discuss what is being done to address radiobiology teaching issues. The refresher course will take place at 8 am on Monday, April 23, 2000, and, if time permits, audience members will have an opportunity to question the panelists. We look forward to seeing everybody in San Juan for what should be a very enriching meeting.
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