Biophysical Society Bulletin | January 2025

Council Update

Officers President Gabriela K. Popescu President-Elect Lynmarie K. Thompson Past-President Taekjip Ha Secretary Teresa Giraldez Treasurer Samantha Harris Council Patricia Bassereau Margaret Cheung Martin Gruebele Taviare Hawkins Anne Kenworthy Syma Khalid Emmanuel Margeat Anita Niedziela-Majka Elizabeth Rhoades Tamar Schlick Valeria Vasquez Jing Xu Biophysical Journal Vasanthi Jayaraman Editor-in-Chief The Biophysicist Padmini Rangamani Editor-in-Chief Biophysical Reports

a review of the 2024 budget projections and the 2025 budget. Council approved the 2025 budget, including an increase in funds for travel awards. Although both the 2024 projections and the 2025 budget still indicate deficits, given the investments we are currently making, and an upward trajectory in recovering from the challenges imposed by the pandemic, Council considered the budget sensible and prudent and approved it unanimously. The last day of the meeting focused on nominations, Subgroups, and publications. In the summer of 2025, we will elect a new president and four new councilors. In her role as Chair of the Nominating Committee, Valeria Vasquez presented the process by which her committee arrived at the proposed slate, which Council approved. In her role as Secretary, Teresa Giraldez presented the process by which the Nominating Committee is assembled and proposed adjustments that would include more non-Council members on the committee to ensure diverse and broad representation. Going forward, the Nominating Committee will be approved by the New Council, on the last day of the Annual Meeting. Next, we had a robust discussion about the Subgroup program. We all agreed that the Subgroup program continues to be strong and vibrant and is an effective mechanism to pro vide value to our members. Council reviewed, discussed, and approved several recommen dations, including: a policy revision that would state more clearly the grounds for a Subgroup being placed on probation or dissolved, a call for proposals for new Subgroups, and charging a small Task Force to explore options for ac commodating new Subgroups. Use Your Expertise to Make a Difference!

Next, we considered current and potential future activities to support biophysics edu cation at the K-12 level. This topic was raised in Spring Council as an area where BPS can have an impact. We decided to expand efforts with the Find a Biophysicist (FaB) Network, to promote more member participation in science fairs, and to update third party educational resources on our website. This growth was seen as synergizing with the IT infrastructure changes and anticipated new website. Our last action item was to approve new editor appointments for Biophysical Journal and to extend editor appointments for The Biophysicist . In a post-meeting survey, all respondents ( n = 14) indicated that the meeting was a good use of their time. Respondents appreciated the “opportunity for robust discussion,” that “lots of valuable diverse ideas were exchanged to inform the best decisions,” and the “useful and clear agenda with supporting information and clear tasks.” They also offered valuable sugges tions to make the meeting even more effective, which is something we always aspire to. All in all, I could not have asked for a more en gaged and dedicated Council, nor could I ask for a more committed and capable staff. I already look forward to working with them again in February, when I hope to see many of you as well! With warm wishes for a safe, healthy, joyful, and sustainable new year. — Gabriela K. Popescu , President

Jörg Enderlein Editor-in-Chief

Society Office Jennifer Pesanelli Executive Officer Newsletter

Executive Editor Jennifer Pesanelli Managing Editor John Long Production Ray Wolfe Meredith Zimmerman Proofreader/Copy Editor The Biophysical Society Newsletter (ISSN 0006-3495) is published eleven times per year, January-December, by the Biophysical Society, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1110, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Distributed to USA members and other countries at no cost. Cana dian GST No. 898477062. Postmaster: Send address changes to Biophysical Society, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1110, Rockville, MD 20852. Copyright © 2025 by the Biophysical Society. Darren Early Laura Phelan

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