Hendrix keeps U.S. spotlight aimed on biomedical research

Mary Hendrix. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

"USA Today is on the line," Hendrix said. "I’m so sorry, I’ll be just a few minutes."

It’s been that kind of six months for Hendrix, head of anatomy and cell biology, who in July took over the presidency of FASEB, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. As the chief representative of a group of more than 60,000 scientists encompassing 21 scientific organizations, it’s not unusual for Hendrix to be called upon to represent the scientific community on issues of national interest. In this case, USA Today wanted Hendrix to weigh in on a story about stem cell research.

In her quest to achieve FASEB’s goals, which include doubling funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by fiscal year 2003, it’s also not out of the ordinary for her to hobnob with D.C. glitterati. Her sentences begin with phrases like, "When I testified before Congress…," "We’re working with McCain’s office..." and "When I had breakfast with Arlen Spector..."

"Doing this kind of thing is not something I thought about when I started my career," Hendrix said. "Before this year I would have described myself as apolitical. But it’s something I’ve become very enthusiastic about."

Hendrix’s enthusiasm is apparent both in Washington, D.C., and here in Iowa. In the last month she’s played host to several of Iowa’s legislators. In February Sen. Charles Grassley visited the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics’ Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, of which Hendrix is associate director of basic research and deputy director. Hendrix showed him the facilities and discussed her concerns about the effects of President Bush’s tax cuts on funding for biomedical research.

"It’s a real honor that our legislators are willing to come here," Hendrix said. "Speaker Hastert and Representatives Leach and Ganske just visited the research labs at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and they were genuinely impressed with what they saw."

While Hendrix hadn’t planned on a career in the political limelight, both her past and present positions provide her with the skills needed to maneuver on Capitol Hill.

"I credit my Harvard training, and the insight it provided me about the importance of networking, for a lot of my ability to do what I’m doing now," Hendrix said. (She was an NIH research fellow in anatomy and cell biology at Harvard from 1977 to 1980.) She also finds that as a working research scientist she can address issues and questions that arise during Congressional hearings.

"Not all FASEB presidents have been actively involved in research during their service," Hendrix said. "But I’m able to talk about issues related to the lab."

In addition to pursuing FASEB’s goal of increasing NIH funding, Hendrix is using her presidency to encourage coalition building among scientific research organizations, develop avenues for educating the public about breakthroughs in biomedical research, and increase salaries and benefits for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows nationally.

"Without increases in pay, we won’t be able to attract and encourage new investigators in the scientific pipeline," she said.

While much of the action on these issues takes place in Washington, Hendrix says that the benefits to Iowa are many.

"This is the first time that Iowa has had a FASEB president, and my affiliation with the University helps increase Iowa’s profile nationally," she said. "And this gives Iowa a direct voice in national policy issues—I solicit input from many people here, including David Skorton, Robert Kelch, Allyn Mark, Derek Willard, and Mary Sue Coleman."

While Hendrix brings Iowa’s influence to the nation’s capital, she also brings national science policy issues to the attention of faculty, staff, and students here at home. She makes a point of impressing upon her colleagues the importance of speaking up for science.

"My experiences have brought a new dimension to my classes and to faculty meetings," Hendrix said. "I tell people, it’s a privilege to do science, and if you want to continue, you must become an advocate."

Article by Linzee Kull McCray