Insider - August 2021

The Newsletter for Ames Laboratory Employees

IDEA logo

Ames Lab D&I Council introduces its new IDEA 

The Ames Laboratory Diversity and Inclusion Council introduces its new logo!
The council’s goal in designing the logo, IDEA, was to bring together key attributes in the Laboratory’s Diversity and Inclusion values and goals, and to provide a visual identity for promoting and defining how we work together to promote the Laboratory's mission, vision, and core values.
 
The word IDEA is an acronym for these attributes:
 
I: Our inclusion strategy refers to our efforts around building a welcoming environment, and when people feel they matter and are valued, respected, belong, welcomed and heard – they can be more productive and engaged, have a voice, and contribute to Ames Laboratory’s mission and success.
 
D: The Laboratory’s diversity strategy refers to the ways in which we support, celebrate, and encourage the quality of being different, recognizing the uniqueness of the characteristics we are born with, experiences we have had, and the decisions we have made, accepting variety and multiformity within a work environment.
 
E: Our equity strategy ensures that the Laboratory identifies and removes barriers to fair treatment, and ensures equitable access to resources and opportunities and consistent standards applied.
 
A: The letter “A” in the logo pulls triple duty, for:

  • Access: The Laboratory’s access strategy includes recognizing the continuum of abilities and experiences each individual brings to the laboratory
  • Allyship: Our allyship strategy refers to the supportive association with another person or group to emphasize social justice, inclusion, and human rights.
  • Ames Laboratory brings us all together as one team, and together we can put each of these attributes into shared action.

In this month’s Insider, we are using the logo for the first time, to introduce an article about inclusive language and gender pronouns. In the future, look for it in Insider, internal communications, and in the ServiceNow Diversity and Inclusion knowledge base where we’ll be highlighting diversity and inclusion topics, professional development, and other opportunities.

Using inclusive language and gender pronouns—their usage and importance

Gender pronouns help establish identities and take the place of nouns such as our names, and are used to further describe someone. Identities are important to everyone and the way we address one another is equally important for inclusivity. Pronouns are personal; using them correctly shows respect for your own identity, and others we communicate with.  

Gender pronoun misuse happens regularly. Let’s be honest, we all make mistakes when we are unsure or are in a hurry.

As an example, D&I council member Peng Xu shared a recent personal experience of gender pronoun misuse. She sent an email request to an external support team. The individual who received the email request forwarded it to another person asking, "Could you help him on this?" Peng reflected on the experience, “I was not really offended or anything because just by the alphabet spelling of my name, even another Chinese person will not be able to tell if my name was a female or male name.

“In fact, I admit to Googling some names from other origins sometimes to understand how to appropriately address others. And that might not always be correct or correspond with their gender identity!” she said.

Although repeated pronoun misuse may not seem harmful to some, others might take it more personally; correcting others can become taxing and harmful. For that reason, the simple addition and everyday use of gender pronouns reduces the chance of assumptions and mistakes. Using the correct gender pronoun to address others establishes mutual respect and promotes inclusivity. 

What are the most common pronouns someone might use?

she/her/hers

He/him/his

they/them/theirs

ze/zir/zirs

How does someone communicate their gender pronoun?

In last month’s Insider, the D&I Council recommended the NameCoach virtual name badge service. Through this you can also add your gender pronoun, and include the written and verbal pronunciation of your name. A ServiceNow knowledge base article was also written and explains the set-up process too. 

Here are other suggestions on how to incorporate your gender pronoun:

  • Email signature: Consider adding the additional text beneath your name. Formatting samples are listed (not an exhaustive list).  
  • Virtual Platform Name: Modifying your name to add your pronouns in virtual meetings, social media profiles and platforms (Zoom, Webex, LinkedIn, etc.)
  • Name Tags/Badges
  • Desk Nameplates
  • Business Cards
  • Workday “Preferred Name” Field – link to instructions can be found here

It is important to note that we all make errors and continue to learn from one another. 

Want to learn more? Check out these resources for learning more about gender pronouns and identities.

gender pronouncs

The Delta variant is here, and it’s traveling fast
Know where to get tested if you’re feeling sick

The Delta variant is currently the predominant strain of the virus SARS-CoV-2 in the United States. Scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control report that the Delta variant is more than two times as contagious than the previous strain of COVID-19. Researchers are finding the Delta variant causes more severe illness, especially in unvaccinated persons. The unvaccinated are also more likely to be hospitalized. While infections in vaccinated individuals, called breakthrough infections, are reported, those who are vaccinated appear to be infectious for a shorter period of time, with fewer symptoms. 

We highly encourage testing if you are feeling ill. There are three types of COVID-19 testing currently available: PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are sent away to a lab to diagnose the virus; LFTs (Lateral flow tests) diagnose COVID-19 on the spot for those who are symptomatic; Antibody/antigen (or serology) tests can’t diagnose active infection, but can indicate if a person has immunity to covid-19.

Here are the testing sites currently available:

Pfizer vaccine approved: boosters recommended for some

The FDA has now fully approved the Pfizer vaccine. This may instill additional confidence in the vaccination; Occupational Medicine encourages everyone to receive it. Additionally, the FDA and CDC have approved and recommend a booster dose for all individuals who are immunocompromised. Individuals with moderately to severely compromised immune systems may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised. A list of qualifications for compromised immunity can be found here. If you are someone who classifies as immunocompromised, booster doses are available through Thielen Student Health linked or you may call Story County Public Health at 1-800-945-8563 to schedule an appointment. 

Employees may access the following Iowa State Resources if:

You have been feeling ill https://web.iastate.edu/safety/updates/covid19/planning/health

You have been exposed https://web.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/safety/COVID-19/IsolationFlowChart.pdf

You have tested positive https://web.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/safety/COVID-19/QuarantineFlowChart.pdf

Occupational Medicine updates this information as new details becomes available. To access, got to Self-Reporting COVID-10 to Ames Laboratory to view the most recently updated guidelines.  

Innovation Partnerships Program Updates

New process for Partnership Agreements
We have replaced the PPF webapp with a Smartsheet-based process for internal review and approvals for Partnership Agreements (tech transfer agreements). This process has been approved by the Site Office and our soft rollout over the summer went well. Please use the same Intent to Submit form to request a contracting agreement (CRADA, SPP, or TSA) with an industry or university partner. If you have any questions, please contact proposals@ameslab.gov.

Inventor incentives are available
Inventor Incentives are a monetary award given to inventors for utility patents that have been filed and/or issued, and new Open Source Software submitted for the calendar year.  An award of up to $200 may be paid to any Ames Laboratory (AMES) employee, named as an inventor while employed at AMES, when an invention, discovery or improvement resulting from his/her work for AMES is filed for a United States patent application (Utility patent), up to a maximum of $600 in awards on any one application/software publication. The awards are given based on calendar year and they are calculated at the beginning of February every year. 

Similarly, an award of up to $200 may be paid to any Ames Laboratory (AMES) employee, up to a maximum of $600 in awards on any one software publication, named as an author on a software product, for which an Open Source copyright is obtained, and after the copyrighted software has subsequently been made publicly available. Note that the DOE requires us to obtain approval prior to any public disclosure of code developed by DOE funds. If you have questions about software disclosures and copyrights, please contact Beth Pieper. To file an Intellectual Property Disclosure Record (IPDR), please complete the IPDR Form and submit to Beth Pieper or ipp@ameslab.gov. To disclose a software product, please submit this form. If you have any questions, please let us know or join in the Virtual ISURF Zoom Office Hour on Tuesday afternoons at 2 p.m. 

Applications being accepted for Energy I-Corps Satellite Program
With efforts led by Julienne Krennrich and Julie Slaughter, Ames Laboratory received its first ever funding for FY21 to bring the Iowa State I-Corps Site programming to Ames’ researchers. Applications are being accepted for the 2021 Fall I-Corps Cohort. Deadline to apply is Oct 18.

Launched in 2014 and based on the National Science Foundation’s successful Innovation Corps, Energy I-Corps is a training program based on the customer discovery process and industry engagement, increasing the commercial impact of federally funded research, and enhancing scientists’ market awareness. Administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Technology Transitions since 2018, Energy I-Corps is a new model of engagement adapted to the unique features of the national labs and DOE’s mission space. 

Energy I-Corps Satellite Funding is intended to take core elements of the Energy I-Corps curriculum and make the program more accessible to more researchers. On August 16, Dr. Craig Forney, one of the ISU Site’s Co-PIs, spoke about what researchers can expect from the training. A copy of his slides are available by email. The session dates are Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 17 from 5-7 PM. The Laboratory can provide some salary support for Ames Lab scientists who commit to participation in this program. If interested in applying, please contact Julienne Krennrich or Julie Slaughter. For more info, read HERE. 

Scientific and Technical Information (STI)

STI can also be known as the Ames Laboratory Publications effort. STI consists of the experimental, observational, and analytical/theoretical findings and conclusions resulting from research and development activities. This includes journal articles derived from Ames Laboratory funding (full and partial), graduate student theses/dissertations, conference proceedings, datasets, CRADA Reports, and research and development papers. It is a requirement per DOE Order 241.1b and the DOE Public Access Plan that all STI produced by AMES must be submitted to the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI). OSTI evaluates AMES, and all DOE laboratories complex wide, for compliance with the plan. More information can be found on Publications by visiting the Innovation Partnerships Program Service Now Knowledge Base. STI Products should be submitted to IPP via the Accepted Manuscript Form. 

Funding Opportunities, Proposals and Partnership Agreements 

Available Funding Opportunities can be viewed on the Funding Opps Dashboard. If you plan to submit a response (concept paper or full proposal) as either a lead or a sub, please use the Intent to Submit Form on the Dashboard. We expect the Technology Commercialization Fund FOA to be released sometime in September. Concept papers for the AMO Multitopic FOA are due September 10.

wellness

Well-Being Resources Panel Discussion Sept. 2

Please mark your calendars for a  panel discussion on well-being, from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2 (Login information for the event is below ).  As yet another school year begins affected by the pandemic, many Ames Lab  employees are still facing some of the same challenges and uncertainties they have dealt with for well over a year now.  Because the mental and physical well-being of staff is a priority for Lab leadership, they invite everyone to an All-Hands COVID resources virtual panel discussion. It is similar in format to the panel discussion held a year ago; since then, Iowa State University has worked to reflect the ongoing situation in their resources, and Lab leaderships hopes that a refresh and review, along with new information, will help. This year’s panel discussion will feature:

  • Margo Foreman, Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • David Bent, Employee and Family Resources
  • Cris Broshar, University Human Resources Childcare and WellBeing
  • Stephanie Downs, University Human Resources WellBeing
  • Dr. Julienne Krennrich, Innovation Partnerships Program Manager and Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership Program (OSELP) Fellow
  • Dr. Margaret Evans and Kori Grooms, Occupational Medicine

The discussion will be moderated by Director of Human Resources and Diversity, Lisa Negus, and there will be an opportunity for the panelists to respond to questions. Please send your questions in advance to Lisa at lmnegus@ameslab.gov so your questions can be answered during the session. If you are unable to attend, an email with a video of the discussion and links to resources will be shared with all personnel. 

Virtual Log-in Information
Date: Thursday, Sep 2, 2021 Time: 1:00 p.m.
Meeting number: 160 484 8884
Link: https://science-doe.zoomgov.com/j/1604848884 
Join by phone +1-551 285 1373 United States Toll (Chicago)
Access code: 160 484 8884

Mark your calendars for DOE Labs Virtual Mile

Dust off those running shoes, Ames Lab friends! Laboratories across the Department of Energy complex are invited to participate in the 2021 DOE Mile.  Like last year, the DOE Mile will be virtual, with participants timing their own mile.  Participants will complete a walking or running mile in an outdoor course from Oct. 1 - Oct. 10. Whether running or walking, record and submit results regardless of speed, because Labs will be competing for the greatest percentage of lab participation. Be on the lookout for more information as it becomes available.

Annual flu shot clinic opening Oct. 4

Mark your calendar for the annual flu shot clinic! Occupational Medicine will administer the flu vaccine weekdays beginning Monday Oct. 4 and continuing through Oct. 15 at a new location, the State Gym, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stay tuned for more information regarding who is eligible, parking information and updated procedures.

New financial planning webinars available with TIAA

Visit TIAA.org/webinars to register or watch past presentations on demand.

Planning for college? Save with a 529 plan | Sept.12 at 12 p.m. ET

Inside Money: Managing income and debt | Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. ET

Start to Finish: The early career woman’s guide to financial wisdom | Sept. 15 at 12 p.m. ET

Tomorrow in Focus: Saving for your ideal retirement | Sept. 15 at 3 p.m. ET

Understanding Medicare | Sept. 16 at 12 p.m. ET

Making it Easier for You: Online tools and resources | Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. ET

Well-rounded retirement overview | Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. ET

Team Building and Group Dynamics


A new skill article on Team Building and Group Dynamics  is now in the Knowledge Base.

 

Job opportunities at Ames Lab

Did you know you can find a current list of employment opportunities at Ames Laboratory on the Job Opportunities page at www.ameslab.gov? Share with friends and colleagues, or apply yourself! You can also find the page linked on the Employee Dashboard. 

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