Tag: Ben Franklin

Yes, I am a #RedSox & #PLoS fan; & this video sort of is proof #BenFranklinAward #OpenScience

Just saw this posted on Youtube.  Did not know it was coming … but am happy they recorded it

And here are the slides I used.  Will try to synch

Ben Franklin Award Slides

For more on this award see

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This is from the “Tree of Life Blog”
of Jonathan Eisen, an evolutionary biologist and Open Access advocate
at the University of California, Davis. For short updates, follow me on Twitter.

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I know – Ego Blogging is so 2010 – But I won. I won. I won. (The Ben Franklin Award …)

OK so the title is a bit much. But I am really happy that I won this years Benjamin Franklin Award, given out by the Bioinformatics Organization. For more on this see …
I found out a few days ago and am rearranging some things to go to Boston April 13 for the award ceremony at the Bio-IT World Conference and Expo.  
From the Bioinformatics Organization web site:

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was one of the most remarkable men of his time. Scientist, inventor, statesman, he freely and openly shared his ideas and refused to patent his inventions. It is the opinion of the founders of the Bioinformatics Organization, Inc. that he embodied the best traits of a scientist, and we seek to honor those who share these virtues

The Benjamin Franklin Award for Open Access in the Life Sciences is a humanitarian/bioethics award presented annually by this organization to an individual who has, in his or her practice, promoted free and open access to the materials and methods used in the life sciences.

I like the general sentiment very much.  And perhaps more important – the list of prior winners is an impressive crew.  Again, from the Bioinformatics Organization web site:

Note – my brother won the first one.

Anyway – am thinking about what to say in the awards ceremony.  Probably going to say something about how openness is more than about being at no charge.  Also I might discuss how it would be good to have a female winner one of these days.  Speaking of which – maybe people can give suggestions for women to nominate for next year …

UPDATE 9/25/12: See this Friendfeed discussion for some more comments about possible female candidates. I have copied the text below in case Friendfeed disappears: “maybe people can give suggestions for women to nominate for next year …”. OK, I’ll start: how about Rosie Redfield? If it weren’t for the Life Sciences focus I’d also suggest Heather Joseph. Speaking of Heathers, one H. Piwowar springs to mind whenever Open Foo is mentioned. – Bill Hooker heh, that would be cool someday 🙂 For now, how about Helen M. Berman, Judith A. Blake, Maryann E. Martone, Catherine Ball, or other pioneers in open databases? – Heather Piwowar Janet Thornton. – Heather Piwowar Agreed! – Egon Willighagen In an award speech at ISMB 2005, Janet Thornton expressed gratitude she was able to take years out-with-family and then pick up again. Inspirational. Not relevant for the Ben Franklin award, but wanted to mention it because it made such an impact. – Heather Piwowar

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This is from the “Tree of Life Blog”
of Jonathan Eisen, an evolutionary biologist and Open Access advocate
at the University of California, Davis. For short updates, follow me on Twitter.

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