It seems only fitting that ETD waited to the new millennium (more or less) to get its newsletter off the ground - Linda had it planned that way! I fully support the founding concept that the newsletter should provide a forum for information exchange within the division on a Wide spectrum of topics and issues from EPA and work- related business to social matters, such as the Holiday Party or new babies. I would certainly encourage people in PTB to cooperate and get involved with the newsletter by submitting ideas or short write-ups to Tom Hughes. Evidently, each branch chief will have a regular space for news items, comments or ideas. So each month I'll try to relate to you a few tidbits of information with which you may not be familiar. The regular PTB Journal Club meets every 3 weeks to review an article germane to lung physiology or basic biology (Steve Gaven - 2555). The PTB WIP meets monthly (Urmila Kodavanti - 4963). Everyone in ETD is invited to attend and better yet participate - we love converts. This month is a busy one with performance reviews and various quarterly reports, but please feel free to contact me if ever you should feel the need. One of the hopes for the newsletter is that it will foster a more integrative sense of the division where each one of you will feel free to seek out expertise and advise from each other and perhaps open new doors. Enjoy.

xxxxxxxxxxxxkxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ALL ETD-EPA HANDS MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7,2000 FROM 1:00-4:30 IN CLASSROOM 1. Bring a snack to share and hear about the results from the employee survey. We will also break out into small groups to discuss Methods to improve employee satisfaction. Linda strongly encourages all EPA employees in ETD to attend!

VOLUNTEERS FOR NEWSLETTER NEEDED!

If you are interested in assisting with the newsletter, call Ton: Hughes at 541-7644. We are seeking branch reporters!

ODDS AND ENDS

MaryJane Selgrade's son, Greg, graduated in December from NC State University, cum laude, in aerospace engineering. His plans are to pursue a Master's degree in exercise physiology.

Congratulations to Mike Hughes, Dave Davies and Brenda Culpepper on receiving ETD informal awards at a recent WIP meeting. Mike received an EPA watch for his help with Inventory Plus. Dave received a cooler for his help with Inventory Plus. Brenda received a laser pointer for her continuing QA efforts for ETD.

Tom Hughes thanks everyone in ETD for all their help and assistance in his QA and Santa efforts.

MEMBER PROFILE

IN FUTURE EDITIONS, A MEMBER PROFILE SECTION WILL HIGHLIGHT THE RESULTS OF AN ETD SCIENTIST. THIS ARTICLE CAN BE WRITTEN BY ANY ETD SCIENTIST WHO HAS RECENTLY PRESENTED A WIP OR WHO HAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED A PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WRITING A SHORT ARTICLE ON YOUR RESEARCH FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER (DUE BY THE 7th OF EACH MONTH), CONTACT TOM HUGHES.

****

Comments and suggestions for news categories are welcome.

----------------------

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Monday January 17, 2000