Biophysical Society Bulletin | June 2024

Biophysicist in Profile

I’m also hopeful that the artificial intelligence and machine learning revolution, which is a powerful force, will swing around to increase our fundamental physical insight and that the latter will not be lost to fancy models that work for rea sons that no one really appreciates.” The most rewarding part of her career is working with her students and, she adds, “My second-favorite part is when we find curious data that only partially make sense and we have to dig deeper into it—especially when that digging comes together to reveal some new biophysical insight.” Her biggest career challenge has been learning how to handle feedback. “I have learned to have thick skin and to interpret criticism constructively when it is warranted and properly categorize it when it is not,” she explains. “Through experience taking criticism personally, I have realized what a waste of time and energy that is.”

She considers biophysics her scientific home. Swanson notes, “It’s not well established at many institutions, but it is a community that bridges departments. The Biophysical Society Annual Meeting, Subgroup meetings, and Biophysical Journal are highly valuable gatherings of the biophysical community.” She continues, “I have met so many and learned so much through the Annual Meetings and the journal. I can’t imagine my career without them.” Outside of work, Swanson spends time with her two children (9 and 11 years of age), her husband, and their three-legged rescue dog, Rusty. “I’m also attempting triathlons…but they may have to wait until after tenure,” she jokes. Her advice for those just starting their scientific careers is to follow your passion and curiosity, “but don’t forget to look up to think through who you want to be—both on an everyday basis and ultimately when you look back at it all.”

BPS Sponsored Keynote at IUPAB 2024 Kyoto, Japan June 24–28, 2024

BPS is pleased to sponsor IUPAB Keynote Speaker Jerelle Joseph at the 21st IUPAB and 62nd Biophysical Society of Japan Joint Congress, June 24–28, 2024 in Kyoto, Japan. Joseph’s talk, "Accurate Models for Interrogating and Engineering Biomolecular Condensates," will be presented on Thursday, June 26. For the most up-to-date information about IUPAB 2024, visit https:/iupab.org/event/iupabcongress2024/

Upcoming Networking Events

3rd Costa Rican Biophysics Symposium July 23-26, 2024 Heredia, Costa Rica Biophysics in Drug Screening

Virtual Networking Event: Building Bridges in Computational Biophysics v3.0 October 16, 2024

Zoom event, registration is free and will be required to attend Exploring Synthetic Biology as Avenue for Expanding Biophysical Research and Education in Africa October 25, 2024 Kakamega, Kenya To see more details for upcoming events, visit: https:/ www.biophysics.org/upcoming-networking-events

September 16, 2024 Los Angeles, CA, USA Promotion of Quality Education and Research Outputs in Biophysics Through Universal Collaboration and

Peer Mentorship October 11, 2024 Kakamega, Kenya

June 2024

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