Biophysical Society Bulletin | April 2020

Communities and Outreach

Start a BPS Student Chapter at Your Institution

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 1, 2020

The 2020 Spring Call for Student Chapters is currently open! Participation in the Student Chapter Program allows students to hone their leadership capabilities and be part of a worldwide network that helps to promote the field of biophysics within their local com- munities. This is the perfect time to apply for the BPS Student Chapter Program and join more than 30 active Chapters! Chapters may be formed within a single institution, or re- gional Chapters may be developed among multiple, neighboring institutions anywhere in the world. Approved Chapters will receive up to USD $200 in reimbursable expenses to assist with getting started, and have access to special opportunities for Chapter officers and members at Biophysical Society meetings.

All Student Chapters must have a sponsor who is a member of the Society. If you are a mentor to biophysics students with leadership potential, please share this opportunity and encourage their participation. Chapter sponsors are responsible for providing professional guidance, practical advice, and needed assistance to students through face-to-face meetings, email, online video conferencing, or phone. The BPS Student Chapter application requires:

• Signed endorsement and petition forms from the Chapter sponsor and student members • Complete Chapter bylaws (example available within the application)

• Questionnaire responses regarding Chapter membership and institution information • Current student membership for all Chapter Officers

For more information and a complete list of instructions on forming an official BPS Student Chapter visit www.biophysics.org/StudentChapters. Questions can be directed to Joon Kwak at jkwak@biophysics.org. Report fromBPS Student Chapter Annual Meeting With 32 Chapters worldwide, the BPS Student Chapters Program has grown considerably since its inception in 2018, and continues to grow each year. The second Annual Meeting of the Student Chapters was held at the BPS 64th Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, and included Chapter representation from all over the world. Based on last year’s feedback from the Student Chapters,

Education Committee members Seth Weinberg of the Ohio State University and Ashley Carter of Amherst College organized this year’s session to allow for optimal networking and leadership opportunities. The first half of the session began with a visit from Sam Saffron , Editor-in-Chief of The Biophysicist , BPS’ new education

BPS Student Chapter Officers and representatives engaging with one another during the poster session

journal. Saffron provided an overview of the journal and invited students to write about their perspectives on topics in biophys- ics and scientific training for the Student Forum section of the journal. The session then continued into a poster session where representatives presented information about their Chapter. The students learned from one another about different outreach activities, approaches to leading a Student Chapter, and more. The second half of the session was an active workshop that provided students with the opportunity to work together to plan for the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Student Chapters in 2021. The students did an exceptional job brainstorming ideas for the Boston meeting and will work together all year to formulate a plan of action for their next meeting.

April 2020

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