Contributors
Benjamin Corb
![Benjamin Corb](/getmedia/a1960884-7eba-48f3-b75a-a2f2e73da5e1/300x300-Ben-Corb_1.jpg?width=300&height=300&ext=.jpg)
Articles by Benjamin Corb
![The advocacy town hall is more than a free lunch](/getmedia/288471a5-64cd-4c99-8245-73d8a9c96905/Capitol-thumb_1.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Annual Meeting
The advocacy town hall is more than a free lunch
Jan. 6, 2022
The ASBMB public affairs department works with government officials to improve the research environment for our members.
![What the 2020 election results might mean for the scientific community](/getmedia/12e08c8a-0cc3-41c7-b458-ddd270424626/biden-covid-thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Blotter
What the election results mean for science
Nov. 11, 2020
Biden has promised “disciplined, trustworthy leadership grounded in science”; runoffs will determine the balance of power in Congress.
![We are here because we choose to be](/getmedia/12826f0e-1bd0-4e92-9c3a-d7f5c1ef0eab/our-fault-thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Editorial
We are here because we choose to be
July 23, 2020
Five months into a pandemic with arguably the world’s worst response, the United States can no longer take the easy way out and blame only politics for our downfall. We’re to blame, too.
![When leaders choose self-interest over science, the consequences are deadly](/getattachment/5696be42-483b-4841-9740-7b3557670de1/allie_egyph_Thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Editorial
When leaders choose self-interest over science, the consequences are deadly
June 26, 2020
As a result of the Trump administration’s actions and inaction, Ben Corb writes, the U.S. was late to adopt a testing protocol to help track and slow the spread of COVID-19.
![Election and pandemic complicate appropriations](/getmedia/ee0d9111-1da3-4f9d-9c66-84504c91679b/cap_hill_Thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Blotter
Election and pandemic complicate appropriations
June 10, 2020
Find answers to questions you probably have about the process, including how the NIH will fare.
![Podcast series documents COVID-19 experiences](/getmedia/f5ef4ba8-9611-44c1-8b9d-f9ea8da7ca3f/podcast-roundup-thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Blotter
Podcast series documents COVID-19 experiences
April 15, 2020
Special series of Pipettes & Politics includes interviews with faculty members, a first responder, NIGMS leader Jon Lorsch and others.
![Share your thoughts on remote study sections](/getmedia/4e265752-1669-480c-a808-7d0c2c4e1b0a/remote-grant-review-Thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Blotter
Share your thoughts on remote study sections
March 25, 2020
Are you serving on a grant-review panel from afar? We want to know how your experience is going.
![Sexual harassment working group releases report](/getattachment/c350c623-2b0f-4b5f-a6c6-857ecfb22d97/NIH-campus-thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Diversity
Sexual harassment working group releases report
Feb. 12, 2020
An NIH group proposes policy changes covering themes of increased transparency, restorative justice and inclusive work environments.
![President's budget request includes cuts to science](/getmedia/2214aff2-bf03-4227-a0d8-840768c37e3b/budget-chopper-thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Blotter
President's budget request includes cuts to science
Feb. 10, 2020
Trump's budget would reduce nondefense discretionary spending by $40 billion and increase defense spending by $2 billion.
![In State of the Union, Trump misrepresents administration’s support for medical research](/getmedia/24813306-d708-4e10-8e26-10a15dd87a2f/STOU-response-thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Blotter
In State of the Union, Trump misrepresents administration’s support for medical research
Feb. 5, 2020
The society's director of public affairs responds to the president's address.
![What not to expect from Trump’s State of the Union address tonight](/getmedia/7a05f4b6-dc32-49e8-ad64-b42cefde2764/white-house-thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
![CSR reviews its reviewers — and makes changes](/getmedia/2061ea86-c389-4e4b-99f5-1221bc41f9aa/CSR-thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
News
CSR reviews its reviewers — and makes changes
Jan. 30, 2020
The NIH took a look at the career stages and frequency of reviewers over the past 12 years and found that some policies have unintentionally excluded midcareer and early-career researchers.
![Acting to protect research integrity](/getattachment/b6d0ac97-f871-485e-8046-1c6266700155/Capito-at-night-thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
News from the Hill
Acting to protect research integrity
Jan. 29, 2020
The Scientific Research Integrity Act would create barriers to political pressure on federal scientists and the politicization of scientific findings.
![The ASBMB urges passage of FY20 omnibus with investments in science](/getmedia/31cf6754-6e19-49aa-876d-0f64cc56860e/Capitol-thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Blotter
The ASBMB urges passage of FY20 omnibus with investments in science
Dec. 16, 2019
The ASBMB responds to a two-part omnibus spending package that would fund the government for fiscal year 2020.
![Your voice does matter](/getattachment/af7b6e73-312c-4b48-8f76-82d2a89739c4/Capitol-thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
News from the Hill
Your voice does matter
Aug. 1, 2019
Even in these deeply partisan times, grassroots advocacy is effective. As a subject matter expert, you can educate your legislator about the value of science.
![Creative thinking necessary to change culture](/getmedia/7ee55d1d-1796-429b-9604-658ef55b2049/nih-thumb.jpg?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg)
Blotter
Creative thinking necessary to change culture
June 21, 2019
Challenging the NIH to think creatively about tackling sexual harassment.
![Advocating for more than money](/getattachment/bc27b867-19b7-4972-adec-fd00270643f4/Capitol-thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
News from the Hill
Advocating for more than money
June 1, 2019
Advocacy is about more than money. Even bills that don’t become law help identify which members of Congress support the scientific enterprise.
![Advocates visit Capitol Hill](/getmedia/50f80d05-9829-4bb3-a21c-3251b85ab910/HillDayCallan1.png?width=900&height=506&ext=.png)
News from the Hill
Advocates visit Capitol Hill
May 1, 2019
Twenty students joined members of the Public Affairs Advisory Committee for the ASBMB’s annual Hill Day, an opportunity to meet members of Congress and advocate for continued federal funding of biomedical research.
![Raise the caps one last time](/getattachment/f27d5a0b-f8ab-47b2-b82f-661331bd0741/Capitol-thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
News from the Hill
Raise the caps one last time
April 1, 2019
To maintain robust federal funding for government agencies involved in scientific research, Congress will need to once again raise the legislative spending caps that were set in 2011.
![Government shutdown update](/getmedia/f633e58d-fb52-4b63-a780-f927d6c26418/NSF-thumb.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Blotter
Government shutdown update
Jan. 10, 2019
The policy team compares National Science Foundation grants awarded this year with those granted by this time last year.
![The ASBMB responds to Trump's national address](/getmedia/e3fe9348-241e-4f5e-9044-172bc193f0a9/white-house-thumb.jpg?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg)
Blotter
The ASBMB responds to Trump's national address
Jan. 8, 2019
How the president could support the American scientific enterprise.
![In 2019, advocacy will be all down hill](/getmedia/4a939ba6-90de-4948-aa29-2b9e14d67f79/NFTH-default-Thumb480x270.png?width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
News from the Hill
In 2019, advocacy will be all down hill
Jan. 1, 2019
Want to be an advocate for science but you’re pressed for time? Using ski slope terminology, the ASBMB’s public affairs team explains how you can tailor your advocacy to your abilities.
![2018 in review](/getattachment/88d0510d-5974-4d47-bef6-90e43620dda8/2018-in-review-Thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
News from the Hill
2018 in review
Dec. 1, 2018
An end-of-year wrap-up of policy-related news, from sexual harassment in science to the growing NIH budget.
![Weigh in on initiatives across NIH](/getattachment/ca5fb0bd-a1d1-4017-b3bf-4c0f6b338951/Capitol-thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
News from the Hill
Weigh in on initiatives across NIH
Oct. 1, 2018
Do you have thoughts about data transparency at the National Institutes of Health? Support for the future biomedical workforce? Diversity of NIH advisory councils? The ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee wants you to weigh in.
![Public affairs committee responds to NIH efforts to address sexual harassment in science](/getmedia/7ee55d1d-1796-429b-9604-658ef55b2049/nih-thumb.jpg?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg)
Blotter
Public affairs committee responds to NIH efforts to address sexual harassment in science
Sept. 18, 2018
While the ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee appreciates the sentiments expressed in the statement, NIH policy changes are needed to curb sexual harassment at grantee institutions.
![The NIH is cruising. Now let’s boost the NSF.](/getattachment/15c0e70c-b7dd-4807-95a9-2eb3ba88add3/Capitol-thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
News from the Hill
The NIH is cruising. Now let’s boost the NSF.
Feb. 1, 2018
While the National Institutes of Health wins congressional support and funding increases, other vital science agencies don’t get the same respect. The ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee seeks to remedy that.
![Sustained funding](/getattachment/77deca49-d433-46ed-b0bd-839dcdf2814c/NIH_Clinical_Research_Center_aerial-thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Funding
Sustained funding
Dec. 1, 2016
Benjamin Corb makes the case for steady, not wildly fluctuating, federal funding for science.
![Creating a robust research enterprise](/getattachment/7c2a64eb-93dd-43ff-af4a-2428b057a0cf/Capitol-thumb.png?lang=en-US&width=480&height=270&ext=.png)
Essay
Creating a robust research enterprise
Sept. 1, 2016
The ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee launches an essay series to explore how to make the U.S. biomedical research enterprise more effective and sustainable.