Biophysical Society Bulletin | March 2018

Communities

Biological Fluorescense Subgroup The Biological Fluorescence Subgroup is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Gregorio Weber Award for Excellence in Fluorescence Theory and Applications. Sponsored by ISS, they are: Debora Foguel , Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Pressure and Fluorescence Studies on Protein Misfolding Related to Amyloidogenic and Neurodegenerative Diseases Jerson L. Silva , Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Pressure and Fluorescence Studies on Protein Misfolding Related to Prion Diseases and Cancer

Each winner gave a short presentation during the Biological Fluorescence Subgroup symposium on Saturday, February 17, 2018. The Gregorio Weber Award for Excellence in Fluorescence Theory and Applications is an annual award that honors and recognizes distinguished individuals who have made original and significant contributions to the field of fluorescence. The award is named after Professor Gregorio Weber, who pio- neered developments in the theory and application of fluores- cence techniques in biology and biochemistry. Award recipi- ents are selected from a group nominated by their peers, and all nominees must be senior-level researchers with a rank of full professor, lab director, or equivalent. For more information please see: http:/www.iss.com/events/ weber.html.

BPS Announces First Group of Recognized Student Chapters

The Biophysical Society is pleased to announce that ten inaugural chapters have been selected for recognition in the BPS Student Chapter Program. Selected by the Education Committee, we congratulate these chapters, and look forward to working with them to promote the field of biophysics and foster the next generation of biophysicists. The ten recognized chapters represent a variety of institutions and regions including: Clemson University Egypt (Hosted at Alexandria University) Emory University Texas A&M University University of Maryland, College Park

University of Michigan University of Missouri York University, Canada

Florida State University Johns Hopkins University

The aim of the BPS Student Chapter Program is to build active student chapters around the globe, increase student mem- bership and participation within the Society, and promote biophysics as a discipline across college campuses through activities organized by the chapters. Students who become officers or participate in the chapters will have an opportunity to take an active leadership role within their institutions and the Biophysical Society, with special opportunities to partici- pate in activities at future Society meetings. Chapters may be formed within a single institution, or region- al chapters may be developed among multiple, neighboring institutions. Recognized chapters will be reimbursed up to $200 by the Society to assist with getting started.

Chapters wishing to be recognized starting in the fall semes- ter of 2018 must submit the Endorsement and Petition Form, Chapter Bylaws, and the Chapter Information Sheet to the Society office via email to dmcnulty@biophysics.org by May 1, 2018, for consideration. Applicants will be notified in early June regarding the status of their application.

For more information and a complete list of instructions on forming an official BPS Student Chapter visit www.biophysics.org/StudentChapters.

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