Biophysical Society Bulletin | April 2024

Communities

Maria Spies Publications Committee

Maria Spies

Is this your first volunteer position for BPS? If not, what other positions have you held? Yes. A few years ago, I reached a stage in my career and personal life which allowed me to commit time and effort, and the Publications Committee felt like something I could do and do well. Why do you volunteer? The Biophysical Society has always been my scientific home. I cherish this opportunity to give back. As a member of the Publications Committee I can help make a difference in the Society and shape its future. What has been a highlight from your volunteer experience? During my tenure on the Committee we launched two new journals that complement the Biophysical Journal : The Biophys icist , which focuses on education in biophysics, and the fully Open Access Biophysical Reports .

Do you have advice for others who might be thinking about volunteering? Find a committee or opportunity that excites you and go for it! You can make a difference and at the same time learn a lot about the inner workings of BPS. When not volunteering for BPS, what do you work on? My lab at the University of Iowa investigates fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying genome integrity. We study the molecular machines of DNA replication, recombi nation, and repair, and how the configurational dynamics of the nucleoprotein complexes shuttle the DNA repair inter mediates into accurate or rogue DNA repair pathways. While our traditional strengths were always in single-molecule biophysics, we have recently added structural biology and structure-based drug discovery to the repertoire of my lab’s research tools. When not in my lab, I can be found in a gym, on a squash court, running Iowa City trails, reading, painting, or traveling with my family.

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April 2024

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