Celebrating NIH Intramural Science in One Day

Report from the Single-Day 2019 NIH Research Festival

multicolored crystal-like structure — CREDIT: LARRY OSTBY, NCI
This dramatic photo of an antiviral drug was the cover image for the 2019 Research Festival brochure and webpage. Shown: Polarized crystals (photographed through a microscope) of the drug 2-3 dideoxyadenosine, also known as ddA, a drug that is closely related to AZT or azidothymidine. The antiviral effect of ddA against HIV was discovered at the National Cancer Institute.

The Research Festival “was very high energy,” said Amy Newman (acting scientific director for the National Institute on Drug Abuse) who along with John Gallin (scientific director for the Clinical Center) co-chaired the 2019 Research Festival held on September 11. “It was all about the celebration.”

The annual Research Festival, which in recent years has been a three-day event, was condensed into one day packed full of exciting talks (even one by an NIH alum who is also a Nobel laureate), special exhibits on intramural resources, posters, the Technical Sales Association Vendor Tent Show, a performance by the NIH Director’s Band (a.k.a. “ARRA” or “The Affordable Rock ‘n’ Roll Act”), and more.

Links to other articles about the 2019 NIH Research Festival:

THE CO-CHAIRS

Amy Newman and John Gallin at the podium — CREDIT: CHIA-CHI CHARLIE CHANG
Research Festival co-chairs and scientific directors Amy Newman (National Institute on Drug abuse), left, and John Gallin (Clinical Center) were pleased that the one-day festival was so successful. “Enthusiasm was high,” said Gallin.

ANIMAL TRIBUTE CEREMONY

people lined up outside and putting flowers on a plaque — CREDIT: MARLENE VAN DEN NESTE
At the animal-tribute ceremony, held during the Research Festival, people placed flowers on a commemorative plaque to honor research animals and acknowledge the important role they play in research.

SPECIAL EXHIBITS ON RESOURCES FOR INTRAMURAL RESEARCH

Representatives from the Center for Information Technology, Clinical Center Office of Patient Recruitment, Collaborative Research Exchange (CREx), Conserved Domain Database (CDD) at NCBI, Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES), Office of NIH History and Stetten Museum, Office of Research Services, Technology Transfer Programs at NIH. The Green Labs Fair hosted vendors with products to help laboratories make the transition to more environmentally benign practices. The NIH Library highlighted its various services including new virtual reality demos geared toward biomedical research.

PHOTOS BY CHIA-CHI CHARLIE CHANG