Simons Foundation

Experience the Eclipse Extravaganza: A Celebration Like No Other at The World's Biggest and Best Children's Museum

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS, March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Get ready for an astronomical adventure that will leave you in awe. On April 8, 2024, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis invites families to join us for a day filled with excitement, learning and unforgettable experiences as we celebrate being in the path of totality for the solar eclipse.

Key Points: 
  • NASA's experts will be at the museum answering questions on Saturday and Sunday leading up to the Monday April 8, 2024 eclipse.
  • The museum invites visitors to join them for a weekend filled with NASA Scientists, excitement, learning and unforgettable experiences as they celebrate the solar eclipse in style.
  • The Eclipse Extravaganza is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its 'In the Path of Totality' initiative.
  • The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children's Health, Old National Bank, Ice Miller LLP and The Heritage Group.

Fusebox Festival Announces 2024 Lineup Celebrating its 20th Anniversary April 7-14, 2024

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty years ago, a group of Austin-based artists launched the first ever Fusebox Festival.

Key Points: 
  • AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty years ago, a group of Austin-based artists launched the first ever Fusebox Festival.
  • The 2024 festival takes a look back and celebrates the past 20 years of Fusebox, while also looking ahead toward the future.
  • To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Fusebox doubled down on one of its core values: collaboration.
  • The exhibition opens during the 20th annual Fusebox festival and includes celebratory events during the opening weekend, April 11-14.

Ukrainian science is struggling, threatening long-term economic recovery – history shows ways to support the Ukrainian scientific system

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 6, 2023

Two of us are also co-founders of #ScienceForUkraine, a grassroots initiative that helps support Ukrainian scientists and students.

Key Points: 
  • Two of us are also co-founders of #ScienceForUkraine, a grassroots initiative that helps support Ukrainian scientists and students.
  • Damage to a country’s science system – like what is happening in Ukraine – can harm economic growth for decades.

How war harms Ukrainian science

    • According to a report by the Ukrainian Ministry of Science and Education, 22% of research and higher education institutions have been physically damaged in some way.
    • The Ukrainian government has announced a 20% decrease in funding for academic scholarships and national research grants since the start of the war.
    • Additionally, the Ukrainian Ministry of Science and Education estimates that 10% of the roughly 60,000 Ukrainian scientists have fled the country since the start of the war.

The consequences of scientific loss

    • History has shown that the large relocation of scientists out of Ukraine and damage to the scientific system are likely to lead to long-term harm to Ukrainian science and hinder the country’s economic recovery after the war.
    • A lack of scientists to train the next generation harmed many post-Soviet countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Active steps to support science in Ukraine

    • In response, the International Science Foundation provided grants that helped the researchers continue their work and stay in science.
    • A second meaningful way that organizations can support Ukrainian science is through remote research positions.
    • A third means of support that scientific institutions outside of Ukraine can offer is resident research opportunities to Ukrainian scientists abroad.
    • Yet history and research suggest that when organizations take steps to help a critical mass of scientists remain active, the science system can recover.

PacBio Announces the Appointment of Olga Troyanskaya from Princeton University to the Scientific Advisory Board

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

MENLO PARK, Calif., May 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB), a leading developer of high-quality, highly accurate sequencing solutions, today announced the appointment of Olga Troyanskaya, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science and the Lewis Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics at Princeton University to PacBio's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and Jay Shendure, Ph.D. as Chair. Dr. Shendure is a Professor of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington.

Key Points: 
  • "I am so honored to have Dr. Troyanskaya join PacBio's Scientific Advisory Board," said Christian Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer of PacBio.
  • Dr. Shendure has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Board since its inception and his contributions are critical to our success."
  • "I'm looking forward to working with PacBio and the other Scientific Advisory Board members and learning from them," said Dr. Troyanskaya.
  • "I want to thank Dr. Puglisi for his dedication to the Scientific Advisory Board," said Mark Van Oene, Chief Operating Officer at PacBio.

RESEARCHERS FIND EARLIER INTERVENTION LEADS TO GREATER IMPROVEMENTS IN YOUNG CHILDREN ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 13, 2023

While prior studies provided strong evidence for the benefits of early intervention in autism, many are correlation studies rather than randomized controlled studies that can provide more conclusive results.

Key Points: 
  • While prior studies provided strong evidence for the benefits of early intervention in autism, many are correlation studies rather than randomized controlled studies that can provide more conclusive results.
  • Researchers used the Early Social Interaction (ESI) model, a parent-implemented intervention for toddlers diagnosed with autism that provides a framework to support a child's development in social communication and active engagement.
  • The study found that children who received individualized ESI coaching earlier showed greater gains in use and understanding of language, social use of communication skills, and self-help skills.
  • This research was also supported in part by the funding from Autism Speaks and the Simons Foundation.

Citizens, LISC Team up to Help Workers Build Digital Skills That Open Doors to Strong Jobs, Economic Opportunity

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 29, 2023

“Citizens is committed to helping our communities thrive, and equitable access to digital literacy is key to economic vitality,” said Bruce Van Saun, Chairman and CEO, Citizens Financial Group.

Key Points: 
  • “Citizens is committed to helping our communities thrive, and equitable access to digital literacy is key to economic vitality,” said Bruce Van Saun, Chairman and CEO, Citizens Financial Group.
  • “Basic digital skills and access to technology and the internet are essential to participate in society and the economy,” said Katrin Sirje Kärk, LISC’s director of workforce innovations.
  • The grant is supporting one-on-one training, digital literacy workshops, ongoing digital coaching, and job training for the information technology field.
  • Citizens has been a long-time supporter of LISC and FOCs, with more than $4 million in funding since 2018.

American Parkinson Disease Association Brings Top Experts & PD Community Together for FREE Two-Day Virtual Event Designed to Educate, Empower, & Engage

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 30, 2023

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is hosting a very special two-day free virtual conference for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their care partners on February 15 and 16, 2023. Specially curated to educate, empower and engage the PD community, the APDA Virtual Parkinson's Conference will provide a fantastic opportunity for people impacted by PD to hear firsthand from leaders in PD treatment and research, as well as enjoy important opportunities to connect with other members of the PD community for support, inspiration, and guidance.

Key Points: 
  • February 15-16, 2023
    NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is hosting a very special two-day free virtual conference for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their care partners on February 15 and 16, 2023.
  • "The APDA Virtual Parkinson's Conference will include an important mix of education, inspiration and fun for both people living with PD and their care partners – no matter where they live.
  • "Through our nationwide network of Chapters and Information & Referral Centers, we are serving and supporting local Parkinson's communities every day.
  • Registration for the APDA Virtual Parkinson's Conference: Educate, Empower, Engage is free and open now.

SIAM Establishes the SIAM-Simons Undergraduate Summer Research Program

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Philadelphia, PA, Jan. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) is delighted to announce the establishment of the SIAM-Simons Undergraduate Summer Research Program.

Key Points: 
  • Philadelphia, PA, Jan. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) is delighted to announce the establishment of the SIAM-Simons Undergraduate Summer Research Program.
  • Through the support of the Simons Foundation, this new applied mathematics and computational science program will provide research, networking, and mentorship opportunities to U.S. students from underrepresented groups.
  • This generous gift will allow the SIAM community to play a strong role in developing, expanding, and diversifying the next generation of researchers and practitioners.
  • At SIAM, we are deeply committed to this work, and we are thankful for the Simons Foundation’s investment in our efforts."

James B. Freedman, Managing Director and Chairman of Intrepid Investment Bankers, to Receive 2023 Horatio Alger Award

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 18, 2023

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced that James B. Freedman, managing director and chairman of Intrepid Investment Bankers, has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization. Mr. Freedman joins 12 other exceptional business, civic and cultural leaders from across North America in receiving 2023 honors. For 76 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing adversities, and who have remained committed to education and charitable efforts in their communities. 

Key Points: 
  • For 76 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing adversities, and who have remained committed to education and charitable efforts in their communities.
  • He later co-founded a second company, Intrepid Investment Bankers, which in 2018 sold to MUFG, the sixth-largest bank in the world.
  • "Each year, it is our utmost honor to present outstanding leaders who have displayed extraordinary perseverance in overcoming challenges with the Horatio Alger Award," said James F. Dicke II, chairman, Horatio Alger Association and 2015 Horatio Alger Award recipient.
  • For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its Member Class of 2023, please visit www.horatioalger.org and follow the organization on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .