Biophysical Society Bulletin | July/August 2021

Cheers for Volunteers

Otonye Braide-Moncoeur Professional Opportunities for Women Committee (CPOW)

Otonye Braide-Moncoeur

Grants & Opportunities Elsa U. Pardee Foundation Grant for Cancer Research This foundation funds research to investigators in United States non-profit institutions proposing research directed toward identifying new treatments or cures for cancer. Deadline: August 31 Website: https:/pardeefoundation.org/how-to-apply/ I want to be a part of the outreach efforts in recruiting scien- tists at every stage (high school, undergrad, grad, etc.) to the Society. I want other biophysicists (and scientists who are in- terested in biophysically related topics) to experience BPS the way I did so many years ago. As a graduate student, winning a travel award gave me the chance to attend the BPS Annual Meeting, and I was beyond grateful for the opportunity. Out of all the scientific conferences I had attended, this was where I felt a sense of community. It was a place where I was con- stantly torn about which talks to attend because my scientific interests were highlighted at the forefront (unlike other con- ferences where I will go to specific sessions and that’s about it). I also knew that this Society genuinely saw the importance of diversifying and making the community more inclusive. My contribution as a scientist was valued. Is this your first volunteer position for BPS? If not, what other positions have you held? My position on the Professional Opportunities for Women Committee (CPOW) is not my first volunteer position with the Biophysical Society (BPS). I was a member of the Minority Affairs Committee (MAC), which is now known as the Com- mittee for Inclusion and Diversity (CID), for about six years. Why do you volunteer?

What has been a highlight from your volunteer experience? Honestly, participating in workshops organized by these committees. For example, getting to speak with students and postdocs during speed networking events. It was an oppor- tunity to hear what they were experiencing and to offer some advice and insights. Do you have advice for others who might be thinking about volunteering? I would say, “Take the plunge!” Volunteering gives you a chance to learn so much about what goes on behind the scenes to make BPS such a great community and scientific platform for dissemination of knowledge. When not volunteering for BPS, what do you work on? I just had my third child, so I am focused on family right now. But that never stops me from thinking about my role as a mentor and the importance of the development of budding scientists.

Gilliam Fellowship for Advanced Study The goals of the Gilliam program are to ensure that stu- dents from groups historically excluded from and under- represented in science are prepared to assume leadership roles in science and science education, and to foster the development of a healthier, more inclusive academic scientific ecosystem by partnering with faculty and insti- tutions committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the sciences. Deadline: September 14 Website: https:/www.hhmi.org/science-education/ programs/gilliam-fellowships-advanced-study

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