Biophysical Society Bulletin | December 2022

Biophysicist in Profile

is a new challenge, and it ends with new knowledge. The ex citement associated with every single trace obtained from ion channels embedded in organellar membranes is just amusing enough to keep me awake at night,” he goes on. “Traveling around the globe to present and meet new and old friends is also highly rewarding. Recently, a mother of an 11-year-old child contacted me as her son had a mutation in one of the proteins I had worked on. That was a moment that made me feel everything I do is worth it, and we can make a difference.” “My future plans revolve around the characterization of novel ion channels we have discovered and the push towards drug discovery. We have identified patients with mutations in these channels, and the real challenge is to find therapeutic interventions for the novel ion channels we are working on,” he explains. Singh has attended the BPS Annual Meeting since graduate school and has felt the support of the biophysics community during critical moments of his career. “I was encouraged to get a faculty position when I was not even thinking about applying. I have met scientists who went beyond their obli gations to guide and mentor me,” he says. “There were times when I was in low spirits at a critical point of my career. I met biophysicists who believed in me and my science and helped me to immediately bounce back.”

To give back to the community that has supported him, Singh serves on the Society’s Early Careers Committee, which is responsible for organizing the Career Development Center at the Annual Meeting and career development webinars throughout the year as well as writing the BPS Bulletin’s Mol ly Cule advice column, among other activities. “I am delighted that I get a chance to make significant contributions to the biophysics community,” he declares. “I appreciate the hard work done by every single member of the committee and the support from the Society. The transparency and collegiality keep attracting new members and it is fun to work and plan with everyone.” When asked what advice he would give to people just start ing their careers in biophysics, Singh replied: “Biophysics is both exciting and challenging. The biophysics group across the globe is extremely friendly and collaborative. You should never be shy about reaching out, asking questions, seeking advice, and networking. The annual conference is one of the best platforms to meet lifelong friends and colleagues. Usually, you will hear that you should pick the right thing for your career. You have already picked biophysics, which is the right thing; now, just follow your passion. There are several opportunities in the field of biophysics, and the skills you gain in biophysics are transferable.”

Numbers By the

BPS has an active social media presence with more than 16,000 followers on Facebook, more than 10,000 followers on Twitter, and almost 3,500 connections on LinkedIn.

Give the Gift of Membership Looking for the perfect gift for a colleague or aspiring biophysicist?

Now is a great time to give the gift of BPS membership, as the recipient will gain immediate access to valuable member benefits and a network of dedicated scientists committed to promoting and advancing biophysics research. To give the gift of BPS membership, visit biophysics.org/giftmembership.

December 2022

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