Biophysical Society Bulletin | March 2020

President’s Message

Officers President Catherine A. Royer President-Elect Frances Separovic Past-President David W. Piston Secretary Erin Sheets Treasurer Kalina Hristova Council Linda Columbus Michelle A. Digman

ing many into the fold, where hopefully we will all work to make everyone feel comfortable and respected. I think the problem here lies outside the Society, in the pipelines, in the lack of decent schools for underrepresented minorities and for that matter, underprivileged students in general. As the saying goes, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” One area in which BPS plays an important role is in advocacy for science education, particularly for minority and underprivileged communi- ties. Another great way to get the public, both young and old, excited about biophysics and science in general, is to organize a public out- reach event during Biophysics Week, coming up this year March 23–27, 2020. Why not target such events towards underrepresented students in our communities? Finally, in the broader societal landscape of our “interesting” times, science itself is under attack. Policy decisions at all levels of government are less and less often based on established scientific data. Advocating for the central role of science, of understanding our world and our universe, is I believe, the single most important area in which BPS can engage at this juncture, along with our sister

scientific societies from other fields. A strong appreciation for the role of science in society not only affects funding for science, it also impacts our lives and those of our friends and families more directly in the water we drink, the food we eat, the way we get to work, our health and well-being. The BPS Public Affairs Committee has long been deeply involved in advocating for science literacy, education, appreciation, and funding. If you feel as strongly as I do about this, I urge you to get involved by responding to the Society’s public affairs initiatives. For my part over the next year, beginning on February 18, 2020, I will do my best to support and highlight the great work done by our Society members, promote our great cumulative science, make the Society as inclusive as possible, and advocate for biophysics and science in general to the public and to our government representatives at all levels. I would love to hear your ideas concerning the challenges mentioned here. And I look forward to working with you all. — Catherine A. Royer , President

Erin C. Dueber Marta Filizola Gilad Haran

Francesca Marassi Joseph A. Mindell Carolyn A. Moores

Anna Moroni Jennifer Ross David Stokes Pernilla Wittung-Stafeshede Biophysical Journal Jane Dyson Editor-in-Chief The Biophysicist Sam Safran Editor-in-Chief

Society Office Jennifer Pesanelli Executive Officer Newsletter Executive Editor Jennifer Pesanelli Managing Editor Beth Staehle

Use Your Expertise toMake a Difference!

Production Catie Curry Ray Wolfe Proofreader/Copy Editor Laura Phelan 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 © 2020 by the Biophysical Society. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

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