Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2009
Contact:
Dr. James Giordano
703-525-0770
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Toward a Common Morality: Center for Neurotechnology Studies & Nour Foundation Host Conference at United Nations September 11, 2009

Arlington, VA— Discoveries in neuroscience and neurotechnology have provided a unique window through which we can glance into the intricate workings of the human brain. Yet, as these technologies have evolved, they have also highlighted the fundamental limitations that currently exist in our
understanding of the human mind; namely, what is the nature of the relationship between the brain and the mind? What is it that makes us human and provides us with the qualities that distinguish us from all other beings? And how do the myriad of electrical and chemical processes we know of within the brain lead to an individual with unique feelings, thoughts, and emotions?

In this conference, world renowned scholars and researchers from neuroscience, psychology, philosophy and ethics will discuss the neurophysiological and psychological basis of human subjective experience, the phenomenological and spiritual characteristics of these domains, and how these may
interact in the process of practical reasoning and moral decision making.

When: September 11, 2009; 8:30 AM- 6:00PM
Where: United Nations, New York City
For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.mindbodysymposium.com
This event is co-sponsored by the Nour Foundation, Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, and the Center for Neurotechnology Studies of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.

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The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit public policy research institute. The Institute identifies and aggressively shepherds discussion on key science, technology, and national security issues facing our society. From these discussions and forums, we develop meaningful policy options and ensure their implementation at the intersection of business and government.

Founded in 1985, the Nour Foundation is a public charitable and nongovernmental organization in special consultative status to the United Nations. The Foundation explores universal principles and values underlying various disciplines through an integrative approach that seeks to cultivate greater understanding, tolerance, and unity among human beings.

Shana Dale, Former NASA Deputy Administrator, Joins the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies as Senior Fellow

February 23, 2009

Arlington, VA—Shana L. Dale, the immediate past Deputy Administrator of NASA, is joining the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies as a senior fellow. Dale is a recognized senior executive and leader in aerospace and homeland security, and has broad experience in national security. She also has extensive federal government knowledge and experience, and proven abilities navigating the legislative process, White House policy and procedures, and agency operations.

“I am so delighted to bring my hands-on experience to the Potomac Institute, which is regarded as a leading science and technology think tank. I want to be involved in policy research and this is an excellent fit given my background in homeland security and intelligence work,” comments Dale. “The Potomac Institute has so many well-respected scientists and engineers affiliated with it. They bring a strong technical capability to studies of national significance and I am honored to be part of the team.”

While serving as second-in-command, Dale was responsible to the NASA Administrator for providing overall leadership, planning, and policy direction. She helped lead NASA as it undertook the enormous transition from retiring the Space Shuttle to developing the United States’ next human space flight capability. Dale also represented NASA to the White House, U.S. Congress, other U.S. government offices, foreign governments, industry, non-governmental organizations, and the public.

Her concern for adequate NASA appropriations and the perceived lack of NASA’s relevance by the American public led her to revitalize legislative strategy, public outreach, and strategic messaging in order to strengthen NASA’s position with Congress, the White House, and the American public. Through her leadership in this effort, NASA officials now speak to groups beyond the traditional aerospace audiences -- broadening outreach with a focus on NASA-related technologies, and how NASA makes major contributions to the nation’s innovative and economic competitive edge.

While serving at the White House, immediately after 9/11, Dale worked very closely with the newly emerging Office of Homeland Security in the White House to ensure that science and technology became a fundamental tool in efforts to protect the country. Her efforts resulted in her leading the Homeland & National Security Division at the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dale adds, “9/11 galvanized the country. Those involved in the effort are so deeply passionate about protecting our homeland and there are so many issues we still have to grapple with as a nation in order to continually accomplish that. Being able to help in this effort is immensely satisfying.”

“Ms. Dale has demonstrated over and over again a real commitment to sustainable solutions and streamlining operations. She has led top-level, high-profile projects, and assessed and directed the negotiation process on complex strategic initiatives. She is a respected legislative expert, spokesperson, and public speaker,” adds Michael Swetnam, Chairman and CEO of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. “We are thrilled to have her join our diverse collection of science, technology and national security experts.”

Dale is known for her deep understanding of the inner workings of the U.S. Congress, White House, and NASA. Before joining NASA, Dale was Deputy Director for Homeland and National Security for the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President. She also served over ten years on Capitol Hill including her tenure as Staff Director of the House Subcommittee on Space & Aeronautics.

She received her B.S. with honors in management information systems from the University of Tulsa and her J.D. from California Western School of Law. She is a member of the bars of California and the District of Columbia, and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. 

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The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit public policy research institute. The Institute identifies and aggressively shepherds discussion on key science, technology, and national security issues facing our society. From these discussions and forums, we develop meaningful policy options and ensure their implementation at the intersection of business and government.

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2009
Contact:
Dr. James Giordano
703-525-0770
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Potomac Institute to Host University Consortium on Neuroscience, Ethics, Legal and Social Issues

Arlington, VA— The Center for Neurotechnology Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is proud to announce the launch of the Capital Consortium on Neuroscience, Ethics, Legal and Social ssues (CCNELSI) on Friday September 4, 2009. This greater Washington DC area Consortium brings ogether faculty and student scholars from colleges and universities in monthly lecture-based meetings to present and discuss their work and its implications for research, health care and public life. The active participation of local area academicians, researchers and students is invited and encouraged, as CCNELSI serves as a platform for interests and ideas to be expressed and addressed. The CCNELSI series will also feature presentations by international guest lecturers, providing a collaborative nexus between DC-area scholars and the broader neuroethics community.

Scheduled meetings are held at the Potomac Institute for Public Policy (901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA; www.potomacinstitute.org), from 4:00 – 6:00 PM; each meeting will consist of a focal presentation of forty-five minutes, followed by a fifteen minute Q&A discussion, with additional discussion to continue during a one-hour wine and cheese reception that follows. Admission is free of charge to faculty and students from academic institutions participating in CCNELSI, and is $15 to the general public.

The inaugural talk in the series will be held Friday September 4, 2009 and features Professor Alberto Garcia, PhD, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights, of the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum (APRA) in Rome, Italy. His talk is entitled “Global Biopolitical Overview of the United Nations on Neurotechnologies and Human Rights in Dialogue.” He will discuss the consideration of socio-cultural values and needs for sensitivity to these values for neurotechnological applications within differing social, economic and political contexts.

For additional information and inquiries, please refer to the Consortium's website at www.ccnelsi.com, or contact Prof. James Giordano PhD, Consortium Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To register, please contact Guillermo Palchik PhD (c), CCNELSI Administrative Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. CCNELSI is supported, in part, by the Center for Neurotechnology Studies of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, Arlington, VA.

What: Lecture: Global Biopolitical Overview of the United Nations on Neurotechnologies and Human Rights in Dialogue
Who: Professor Alberto Garcia, PhD, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights
When: Friday, September 4, 2009, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
More info: www.ccnelsi.com

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The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit public policy research iinstitute. The Institute identifies and aggressively shepherds discussion on key science, technology, and national security issues facing our society. From these discussions and forums, we develop meaningful policy options and ensure their implementation at the intersection of business and government.

The New Book Best Available Science Empowers Decision-Makers to Clearly Assess Key Scientific and Technical Information

March 4, 2009

Arlington, VA—The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies has published a new book, Best Available Science. It’s the culmination of three decades of insight from experts in the scientific and policy worlds, who have developed a process to enable decision-makers, regardless of their scientific training, to clearly and easily assess the validity and applicability of scientific and technical information. Now decision-makers can use this concept to ask themselves, “How reliable is the information in front of me? What is the level of maturity of the underlying science, and can I make a sound decision based on it?”

The Best Available Science concept isolates scientific issues from others at play in policymaking to arm the user with the ability to make the best decision possible with the best available information. Authored by Dr. A. Alan Moghissi, Betty Love, and Dr. Sorin Straja from the Institute for Regulatory Science and Dr. Dennis McBride and Michael Swetnam from the Potomac Institute, this must-have resource provides decision makers with a simple assessment system to most effectively utilize scientific data.

“Policymakers, judges, government agency staff, lawmakers, scientists, and others must constantly balance scientific, social, economic, political, emotional and other considerations when making a decision. However, they are often ‘on their own’ to determine the validity and applicability of scientific and technical data,” comments Potomac Institute Senior Fellow, A. Alan Moghissi, Ph.D. “In this book, we direct readers through how to apply this useful practice in a wide range of contexts. We share historical examples to illustrate the concepts of differentiation between classes of scientific information and the evolution of scientific knowledge.”

“Despite ‘information overload,’ as we move deeper into the 21st Century, the right decision is not always clear or an issue fully understood,” states Michael Swetnam, Chairman and CEO of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. “Best Available Science will quickly become a treasured road map to those who embrace it. Finally, a classification system has been developed and shared to enable anyone to quickly and easily understand the full scope of what they’re considering.”

This book can also be used as a guide for scientists to more clearly communicate with policy makers and help them “speak the same language.” For more information, visit the publications section at: www.potomacinstitute.org.

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The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit public policy research institute. The Institute identifies and aggressively shepherds discussion on key science, technology, and national security issues facing our society. From these discussions and forums, we develop meaningful policy options and ensure their implementation at the intersection of business and government.