Biophysical Society Bulletin | December 2025

President’s Message

Rebuilding an Even Better Scientific Enterprise: Telling More Science Stories

What can we do in this moment when higher education, science, and expertise are all under attack in the United States, with nega tive consequences on the global scientific enterprise, and ultimately human health? We can find ways to support our community and push back against disinformation and short-sightedness, hope

opportunity to improve how we do science. I propose that one key improvement would be to increase our efforts to teach, practice, and value science communication throughout our careers. I want to be clear that this call to improve is not meant to malign our current scientific practices. We have not brought the current attacks upon ourselves: they have been systematically orches trated to achieve political, ideological, or commercial goals. No one is questioning whether we should defer to expertise when we choose who pilots the plane, designs the bridge, or performs open-heart surgery. Certain areas have been targeted, such as climate science and vaccines, because of their importance to a market sector or their value as a cultural wedge issue. This makes it even more important for scientists to share their stories to counteract the false narratives. The more that people under stand the value and the process of science, the harder it will be to undermine things like the critical importance of vaccines in the minds of the public. Two sessions on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the BPS Annual Meeting in San Francisco aim to inspire and empower us to improve our science communication. The President’s Sym posium, “Communicating the Value of Biophysics in a Changing World,” will begin with talks from biophysicists who have experi ence as leaders in various segments of science. Jeremy Berg , for mer Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, organized the letter of support for the Bethesda Declaration. As editor-in-chief of Science , Holden Thorp frequently speaks and

Lynmarie K. Thompson

fully mitigating the damage underway. BPS efforts to support our community have included a significant boost to our Bridging Funds program (funded by both Council funds and member con tributions), to help members in need to attend the Annual Meet ing, and reframing our Strategic Plan to clarify and confirm our ongoing commitment to our values. BPS has also been working hard on advocacy, with a remarkable series of actions summa rized on our website (www.biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/ stay-informed/government-policy-changes-bps-actions-and-re sources). We welcome member involvement in advocacy, for instance in response to each BPS Call to Action, and with new resources available to BPS members now that we are a FASEB affiliate (www.biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/stay-informed/ coalition-partners). There is no question that the cuts and attacks that have already occurred will have lasting impacts on science. So, a third important effort is to plan and start to rebuild, and to take this

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December 2025

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