Biophysical Society Bulletin | May 2019

May 2019

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Biophysics Week, which started in 2016 and is held annually, is a global effort to spread awareness of the field of biophysics. The goal is to raise the visibility of biophysics around the world and to bring together the worldwide community of biophysicists. With today’s changing science environment, it is important that researchers stay connected globally and be on the forefront of the latest develop- ments and breakthroughs in biophysics. The importance of collaboration across boundaries is critical in science, especially in a highly interdisciplinary field such as biophysics.

Inside

The Fourth Annual Biophysics Week, March 25–29, 2019, was a huge success! Thank you to our members and communities all over the world who supported and partici- pated in Biophysics Week. BPS kicked-off Biophysics Week once again with the Johns Hopkins University Biophysics Program and high-school students from the Science Department at the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly). Poly students got to do hands on experiments, tour the JHU facilities, and be immersed in a day of biophysical sciences. We want to thank Bertrand García-Moreno , Department Chair; Carolyn Fitch ,

2 3 4 6 8

President’s Message

New at BPS

Biophysicist in Profile

Public Affairs

Biophysics Week

13

Career Development

Publications 16 Member Corner & Important Dates 17 Student Spotlight 17 Thematic Meetings 18 Upcoming Events 20

Laboratory Director; Greg Bowman , Associate Professor; Juliette Lecomte , Professor; and Adam Wishart , Baltimore Polytechnic Institute chemistry teacher, for all of their efforts in hosting and planning such an impactful event for our future generation of scientists. BPS would like to recognize our Biophysics Week Partners: the European Biophysi- cal Societies’ Association (EBSA), the Italian Society of Pure and Applied Biophysics (SIBPA), and the British Biophysical Society (BBS) for all of their efforts in sharing Bio- physics Week around the world. BPS would also like to thank all of the Affiliate Event Organizers. Affiliate Event Organizers across the globe embraced the week and hosted 68 events in 26 different countries throughout 6 continents. Biophysics Week was effective and successful because of their efforts!

Continue on Page 10

President’s Message

Diversity, Inclusion, and the Biophysical Society

The struggles of STEM fields in the area of diversity and inclusion are getting a lot of attention these days, and rightfully so. My understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM has built over the years, and continues to grow as I learn more about the numerous issues affecting underrepresented groups. Serving as President of the Biophysical Society has helped me crystalize some of my thoughts, which I would like to share here. In many academic fields, diversity of thought makes the field richer and more relevant to society, but in STEM fields, we aspire to discover truths that are invariant. For example, I am quite certain that

David. W. Piston

we can predict how gravity works everywhere on earth regardless of local customs or beliefs. Even though we aim to achieve uniformity of thought on objective truths, there are countless paths to establishing consensus around scientific facts. The more diverse paths we can use to solve problems, the better chance we have of discovering and understanding the underlying truths. This diversity of approach is crucial for scientific discovery. In my experience, paradigm-changing results tend to be the product of a chance discovery that captured the attention of well-prepared and curious researchers. Who are these well-prepared and curious researchers? As a department chair, I wish I had a crystal ball to answer that question in advance! Numerous studies over the last 10 years have shown that the combination of skills needed to be successful in research are distributed across gender, race, and socioeconomic background, and that cultural differences play a bigger role than genetic differences in achievement gaps. As but one example, the proportion of women in research jobs is one of the most powerful predictors of the gender gaps in mathematics achievement (see e.g., Else-Quest et al., Psychological Bulletin 136: 103–127, 2010). If we want to maximize scientific discoveries that will help solve societal problems, we must maximize the scientific workforce, and this necessarily means opening it up to everyone. Concluding that diversity is an imperative is the simple part. To achieve diversity, we need inclusion, and building inclusive communities has proven difficult in general. For research professions, the unwritten rules and expectations can be even tougher to overcome. Having grown up in an academic family, concepts such as research, a PhD, and tenure seemed instinctive to me. We too often assume that our students, postdocs, and faculty are knowledgeable about policies and procedures, but in my experience, this has proven a poor assumption. I have learned to explain even the simplest academic policies and process- es to my students, postdocs, and faculty recruits from the most basic levels. For example, many first generation students think that they need a master’s degree to apply for PhD programs, so they don’t apply to programs for which they are well-qualified. The bottom line is that we must be more transparent and accepting to help integrate people from diverse backgrounds. As I wrote last month, I hope that the Biophysical Society will become the leading society in support of diversity and inclusion in STEM. The Society has been working towards diversity in speakers at the Annual Meeting, representation on committees, and leadership positions. This year, the Society Council and committees are redoubling their efforts to be proactive in this area, with special attention to the conclusions and recommendations of the 2018 National Academies report on sexual harassment of women in science. Gender equity is important to the Society. Programming at the 2020 Annual Meeting will highlight the issues detailed in the National Academies report and help show our members how we can cultivate an organizational climate that is inclusive, based on respect and civility. At the same time, we must be inclusive of our members who come from differ- ent cultural or ethnic backgrounds, and those who may face challenges due to disabilities. I expect that future programming will help all of us become more mindful of these needs. I hope that you will all join me in the work needed to establish a robust inclusive culture and climate in our Society and field of research. Based on the progress we have made so far and the enthusiasm I have seen from Society members, I am certain that we can do this. We will need to listen carefully, and without judgement, to our members when they express concerns, anxiety, or even fear. It will not be easy, nor will it be comfortable for many of us, but the resulting stronger, more stable, and happier field will be well worth the effort. — David W. Piston

May 2019

2

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

New at BPS

Officers President

David W. Piston President-Elect Catherine Royer Past-President Angela Gronenborn Secretary Frances Separovic Treasurer Kalina Hristova Council Zev Bryant Linda Columbus Michelle A. Digman Marta Filizola Teresa Giraldez Ruben Gonzalez, Jr. Joseph A. Mindell Anna Moroni Marina Ramirez-Alvarado Jennifer Ross David Stokes Pernilla Wittung-Stafeshede Biophysical Journal Jane Dyson Editor-in-Chief The Biophysicist Sam Safran Editor-in-Chief

Conferences

Call for Conference Proposals Proposal Deadline: May 13, 2019

The Biophysical Society will begin sponsoring small (100-150), recurring (biennial to triennial), multi-day conferences on focused topics within the broad realm of biophysics. These meetings, held primarily in the United States between the months of May and August, aim to bring together senior researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and students to discuss the latest cutting-edge research in similar scientific areas. The Society is now calling for proposals for the 2021 BPS Conferences. Complete submissions will be considered by the BPS Conferences Committee and, pending review, organizers will be contacted for more detailed information. The committee’s final recommendations will be submitted to the Society Council for approval in early November. For criteria and submission requirements, visit www.biophysics.org/conferences. Proposals must be submitted through the onsite submission at https:/www.surveymonkey.com/r/8XWPZTP

Society Office Jennifer Pesanelli Executive Officer Newsletter

Executive Editor Jennifer Pesanelli Managing Editor Beth Staehle Contributing Writers and Proofreaders Dorothy Chaconas Laura Phelan

Caitlin Simpson Elizabeth Vuong

Production Catie Curry Ray Wolfe

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. Canadian GST No. 898477062. Postmaster: Send address changes to Biophysical Society, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1110, Rockville, MD 20852. Copyright © 2019 by the Biophysical Society. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

A New Journal from the Biophysical Society Watch for the first Call for Papers Coming June 2019 Learn more at www.thebiophysicist.org

May 2019

3

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Biophysicist in Profile

Parisa Asghari Areas of Research Cardiac Cell Physiology

Institution University of British Columbia, Canada

At-a-Glance

Parisa Asghari is a biophysicist with expertise in cardiac cell physiology. Her work particularly focuses on cardiac excitation-contraction coupling using a diverse range of microscopic meth- ods such as correlative microscopy, calcium imaging, and electron tomography. With a history of inherited cardiovascular disease in her family, she has always been motivated to pursue a career in cardiovascular research. Asghari’s research has enhanced our understanding of a complex calcium channel that controls our heartbeat, and she hopes that her current research will lead to new drug discoveries and healthier hearts. She also believes in coaching and teaching undergrad- uate and graduate students as another contribution to the biophysics community.

Parisa Asghari

Parisa Asghari , a post doctorate research fellow at the Univer- sity of British Columbia, Canada, was born in Tehran, Iran, to a mother who was an English teacher and a father who was an accountant. Asghari is the only scientist in her family. From early on, her biggest influence was her grandfather, who was an English college professor. He was very passionate about teaching, especially when it came to his grandchildren. “As a child, I always wanted to be a scientist. My interest in science started when I was only six years old. I loved to dissect insects, worms, and butterflies, unlike my siblings and friends. By the age of 11, I had decided I wanted to be a biology teacher or research scientist in the field of biology and I know exactly when and how I arrived at this decision,” she recalls. “When I was in the first year of middle school, one of my school assignments was about William Harvey’s life and his discoveries on human anatomy. I found it quite fascinating how his experiments led him to the theory of blood circulation and how that theory changed the intellectual system and overall view of human and animal physiology, disease, and therapy.” Her love for science continued through high school and biology and physics were her favorite subjects. During her undergraduate years, Asghari worked with different tutoring centers and also taught biology to high school students. In addition, she gained research experience in a number of pharmaceutical research institutes, which “helped me easily find a job later on when I moved to Canada,” she said. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in molecular microbiology, she worked as a lab technician at the Universi- ty of Toronto and then at the University of British Columbia (UBC). After a few years, she decided to go back to school and pursue her graduate studies. “Inspired by William Harvey and also for a personal reason — I lost my father when he was relatively young due to an inherited cardiovascular disease — I focused my research and graduate studies in cardiovascular

research.” She graduated from UBC in 2014 with a PhD in cell and developmental biology focusing in cardiac cell physiology. During her PhD research, Asghari used a biophysical approach (she developed a new correlative light and electron microsco- py technique) and discovered a mechanism, which might con- trol contractility in heart cells. After graduation, she decided to stay in the same lab under supervision of Edwin Moore to investigate this mechanism in further detail. “We established a collaboration with the leading scientists in our field, and that has been the focus of my postdoctoral research projects. In general, I am investigating the effect of physiological regula- tors on function and distribution of the sarcoplasmic reticu- lum cardiac calcium release channel, Ryanodine receptor, in health and disease.” According to the World Health Organiza- tion, ischemic heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death globally — 15.2 million deaths in 2016. Malfunction of the Ryanodine receptor has been implicated in heart failure, and mutations have been shown to lead to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. “We use genetically modified mice and recombinant protein expression technolo- gy to examine the Ryanodine receptor structure and function relationship in cardiac cells,” explains Asghari Asghari has a husband and son and she tells us that the biggest challenge in her career is balancing career and family. She says, “As a scientist, it’s not easy to navigate a career with a partner and find two fulfilling positions in the same city. Add children to the mix, and it feels like something — or someone — has to give! But balance is key.” When not in the lab she spends time with her family and enjoys hiking and biking. “I also love volunteering at my son’s school, helping with field trips, special events, and talks. I really enjoy speak- ing to students in primary school, from kindergarten through grade 7, about possible careers in science and what it’s like to be a functioning scientist.”

May 2019

4

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Biophysicist in Profile

In the past, Asghari had the privilege of volunteering in Vancouver’s downtown East Side. This is one of the nation’s worst districts. The area is rife with drug addicts, the home- less, prostitutes, and the people who prey on them. Asghari volunteered for a local organization that helps the addicts and the homeless by providing educational, social, and recreation- al opportunities as well as preparing and distributing food and finding safe housing. Asghari and her family also assist new immigrants by helping them to find accommodation, get their children enrolled in school, find language training (ESL cours- es), and prepare cover letters and resumes to assist them in finding work.

Asghari asserts that the most challenging aspect of her type of work is to “determine the problem very well,” and she quotes Einstein, who said, “The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution.” Asghari’s future plans include finding a position where she can pursue her research independently, and currently she is exploring both academic and non-academic options. As a scientist, she says, “I have always been motivated by con- tributing to the common good. I hope my scientific research work builds a foundation for discovering a new drug or insight that improves human heart health. And coaching and teach- ing undergraduate and graduate students would be another contribution to biophysics.” Sally Osborne , first met Asghari in 2004 when she was first recruited as a staff member in the Cellular and Physiological Sciences Department at UBC. Osborne describes Asghari as hard working, responsible, and creative. Osborne tell us that Asghari is, “A creative and analytical individual with exception- al technical skills. She is an exceptionally diligent and metic- ulous scientist. She has a distinct understated style and is a very caring individual toward her peers and colleagues.” Asghari has learned a lot through her career and she had some advice for young people who are just starting out. “Your success is a journey that happens over time. Most impor- tantly, you need to have a real passion for science and be passionate about the work you do. This means that you need to find a topic that excites you and important questions that you really want to answer. Once you find your passion, it’s no longer considered work, it’s a hobby, and there’s nothing else you would rather be doing. Expressing that passion for your work will most likely get you to the right job with the right employer.”

Asghari with her husband and son.

Even though balancing career and family is hard, Asghari says, “I love my career because there is not a single dull moment in my work. Every day I see something new; some days I see things that nobody observed or reported before, and it’s fulfilling! Every time I look at the ultra-structure of the cells, it just fascinates me.” Ashgari’s favorite thing about biophys- ics is studying how a heart beats, how small proteins move around the cell and can regulate cell’s function, and how cells communicate with each other. “Using fluorescent tags, I can make cells glow like stars under a microscope and learn about the heart cell’s sophisticated internal transit system,” she enthused.

May 2019

5

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Public Affairs

Biophysical Society and Congressman Foster host Jennifer Doudna for CRISPR-101 Briefing On March 13 the Biophysical Society (BPS) and Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) hosted Jennifer Doudna for a CRISPR-101 Congressional Briefing. The briefing received interest from more than 60 Congressional offices. “It is crucial that policymakers understand both the opportunities and the challenges that the CRISPR/Cas9 technology holds for our future,” said Rep. Foster. “The CRISPR technology we heard about today has the potential to positively impact global efforts to combat climate change, disease, and hunger. It also has the potential to be used for unregulated genetic engineering of humans and to enable dangerous new classes of biological weapons. It’s critical that we continue to support basic science so that we can maintain our leadership as a country of innovation and discovery.”

As an internationally renowned and award-winning professor of chemistry and molecular and cell biology at the University of California-Berkeley, Doudna and her colleagues rocked the research world in 2012 by first describing CRISPR gene ed- iting, widely acknowledged as the scientific breakthrough of the century, and strongly advocating for its responsible use. “I appreciate the opportunity to join the Biophysical Society and Congressman Bill Foster to discuss CRISPR genome edit- ing,” said Doudna. “This revolutionary technology is the result of fundamental scientific research. As we consider how to ethically and safely apply CRISPR, it is important that policy- makers continue to support basic research so that scientists can develop the vital medical cures, better food production, and alternative energy resources that our society needs.” The briefing provided a broad overview of the technology and discussed its ethical use and patenting issues. From left, Sean Winkler, BPS, Rep. Foster, Jennifer Doudna, Jennifer Pesanelli, BPS

September 19, 2019 Annually the Biophysical Society participates in the Rally for Medical Research, which brings over 200 scientific research and patient advocacy organizations together to call on our nation’s policymakers to prioritize medical research. Last year, BPS members from Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Mississippi participated in the day. BPS offers travel funds to members interested in participating. To express interest in the 2019 event, please contact Eric Sunderberg at esundberg@ihv. umaryland.edu.

Connect with BPS

May 2019

6

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Public Affairs

Annual Meeting BPS 2019 in the Press

Around theWorld Young Researchers Discuss Brexit Science recently profiled 50 early career researchers in Britain and shared their concerns around Brexit. Several researchers have stopped applying for the European Union’s Horizon 2020 funding and others are afraid to leave the United Kingdom at all until their immigration status is confirmed. An estimated 50 percent of postgraduate research scientists in the United Kingdom come from abroad. Science is asking for young scien- tists to share their story on Twitter using #ECRsChatBrexit. Japanese Companies Fear Shortage of Science Grads According to a report in Nikkei , Japanese companies are brac- ing for another disappointing hiring season. Many companies will miss on their top STEM recruits as the supply of science graduates continues to fail to keep up with demand. Busi- nesses aim to hire 11.7 percent more science and technology college students graduating in spring 2020, marking a sixth straight year of double-digit increases, according to a Nikkei survey. Japanese corporate titans like Sony and Bridgestone are seeking data scientists and semiconductor experts, but are struggling to recruit candidates. The Japanese govern- ment projects a shortage of 50,000 engineers in advanced technology fields next year. Funding Squeeze Affecting African Innovation and Science According to a report in Standard Media , there are growing concerns from African educators that their governments are failing to fully invest in science. Statistics show that Africa produces an alarmingly few number of junior scientists and scholars. On average, sub-Saharan countries spend less than 0.5 percent of their gross domestic product on research and development. These findings were shared during a recent conference dubbed “Young Scholars in Africa – Challenges and Opportunities .” Gender Equality andWomen in STEM The countries with less gender equality have the more wom- en in STEM caqreers according to a recent article published in The Atlantic . One theory is that women in countries with higher gender inequality are seeking a path to financial freedom. Read the article at https:/www.theatlantic.com/ science/archive/2018/02/the-more-gender-equality-the- fewer-women-in-stem/553592/

The Society’s press efforts generated at least 37 media men- tions of the Biophysical Society’s Annual Meeting in Baltimore and research being presented at it. Of the 37 clips, 9 can be considered to be original reporting meaning the news outlet developed a story around our press release, as opposed to just reprinting it. Prominent publications like The Independent (UK), The Daily Mail (UK), Earth.Com and The Science Times covered the meeting. Importantly, as science is an international field, several stories were picked up by non-United States based media outlets. We received press coverage from outlets in China, India, Italy, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Check out the BPS Annual Meeting releases at www.biophysics.org/news-room. Public Affairs Committee at BPS 2019 The Public Affairs Committee was extremely busy at the 2019 BPS Annual Meeting in Baltimore. The committee hosted five sessions and conducted finalist interviews for the 2019– 2020 BPS Congressional Fellowship program.

Brexit & Science: Consequences for Research Funding and Immigration Flows Session. From left, Tony Watts, Oxford Univerisity; Dorothy Beckett, Public Affairs Committee; Andrew Price, British Embassy Washington; and Matthias Willmans, EMBL.

The Nuts and Bolts of your NSF Grant. Arnold Revzin and Engin Serpersu, NSF

Understanding the Congressional Budget Process: How Science is Funded. Tiffany Kaszuba, Coalition for Health Funding; Debbie Weinstein, Coalition on Human Needs; and Jonathan King, Public Affairs Committee.

May 2019

7

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

BiophysicsWeek

Biophysics Week is a global celebration for the interdisciplinary field of biophysics. During Biophysics Week, events were held all over the world with a goal to share what biophysics is all about. Below are some event highlights from BPS Student Chapters and Affiliate Event organizers. Plan your participation for next year’s Fifth Annual Biophysics Week, March 23–27, 2020!

BPS Student Chapter Events Arizona Student Chapter

University of Michigan Student Chapter Biophysics Week was a great experience for the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan BPS Student Chap- ter held three events, two of which focused on introducing schoolchildren, in both elementary and middle school, to the physical sciences and higher education respectively. One of the chapter board members, in conjunction with another student-led organization, organized an event called March to Campus, where middle school students were given a tour of our campus and had a panel of current undergraduate stu- dents talk about their paths to studying at a university. They also partnered with a local event known as Kids Fair to put on basic physics demonstrations for elementary students. This event was great for the chapter. Not only did the kids have a lot of fun, but so did the chapter! It is always fun to help encourage and teach the next generation of scientists. The third event was a social event where the chapter partnered with the Student Astronomical Society and other physical science students to make biophysics a more prominent group on campus. As biophysics is a fairly small department here at Michigan, it was really enjoyable to see the other physics students and to meet with them in a small, informal gathering and talk about biophysics with them to possibly garner more interest for the field. Overall, Biophysics Week was a fantastic time for our chapter! Everyone at Michigan is already looking forward to next year!

The BPS Arizona Student Chapter participated in BioPhest 2019 at the Arizona State University (ASU) Tempe campus. The event was hosted by the Center for Biological Physics as a part of Biophysics Week. This annual event allows scientists from Arizona with an interest in biological physics to meet for a day of short talks and posters. Presentations from graduate students and postdocs are particularly welcomed, and also from researchers from biology and bioengineering whose interests overlap with biological physics. BioPhest is alternat- ingly organized and held at ASU and University of Arizona. The day started with the talk by M. Thomas Record, Jr. from University of Wisconsin-Madison, who the Arizona Student Chapter invited to give the keynote presentation: “E. coli as a Chemical and Osmotic System: Large Changes in Cytoplasmic Salt Ion, Solute and Biopolymer Concentrations in Response to Osmotic Stress.” This was followed by selected talks from researchers at both ASU and the University of Arizona. There was also a poster session where more than 40 partic- ipants shared their research. We were particularly excited to have a poster by high school students from the Biophysics Club of Arizona College Preparatory-Erie who are collabo- rating with the local BPS Student Chapter in creating book chapters for high school students in different biophysics-related concepts. The day concluded with

announcing the winners of the poster session. The whole day was filled with lively discus- sions, which we hope will lead to meaningful collaborations and exciting research in the future.

May 2019

8

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

BiophysicsWeek

BPS Student Chapter - Kenya The BPS Student Chapter - Kenya celebrated Biophysics Week all week long with events held each day. They held a recruiting event, lab tour, lectures, and outreach events in- cluding hosting a nature walk to the Kakamega Forest where they spoke to students at the Igunga Girls High School about outreach and mentorship programs. The BPS Chapter mem- bers engaged in community outreach events all week and are already planning for Biophysics Week 2020!

The Emory University BPS Student Chapter The Emory University Student Chapter took their Biophysics Week event to the next level by setting up at the Atlanta Sci- ence Festival Exploration Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, to spread the fun of biophysics to the local community. Taking on a hot-button theme, “The Science of Internet Challenges,” the Emory Chapter set up three fun and interactive demonstra- tions to explain the biology, physics, and chemistry behind the danger in three of the most popular stunts on the internet. Hundreds of locals of all ages stopped by the booth and were educated on these social media phenomena. First up was The Gallon Challenge, where contenders are asked to drink a gallon of milk or water as fast as they can, usually within an hour. Onlookers stepped back warily as the “stomach” (a small balloon) filled rapidly with water. Chapter members then began the discussion on elasticity, viscoelas- ticity, and the involuntary responses to stretch receptors throughout the body. They then explored the physics of small particles interacting with water in The Cinnamon Challenge, where brave social media stars attempt to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon, but nearly always end up coughing it all out. By pouring cinnamon onto wet sponges, Chapter members demonstrated how the fine particles clump up rapidly on moist surfaces, leaving only dry powder to inhale. Finally, the Chapter tackled one of the most dangerous and well-known internet challenges: The Tide Pod Challenge. Rather than eating the colorful capsules, the detergent was added to cups of “stomach acid” (vinegar), resulting in a crowd-pleasing bubbly eruption. This challenge brought together biology, physics, and chemistry. Chapter members explained how bases like those found in cleaners interact with the body, then turned the conversation to how amphipathic detergent molecules work to not only clean clothes, but also permeabilize and destroy cells in the mouth and esophagus. With a lighthearted theme and exciting demonstrations, the Emory Chapter was able to inform children and adults alike on the science behind their favorite YouTube videos, leaving the public a little bit smarter and a little bit safer.

Dr. Nyongesa , an expert in biotechnology, gave insight on the equipment used in the laboratory for physics. He showed members and students around the lab and explained the use of several pieces of equipment such as the stethoscope, ky- mogram, refrigerated centrifuge, low temperature freezer, UV transilluminator, thermal mixer, stereo microscope, Neubauer chamber, hemocytometer, spirometer, spectrometer, pressure cooker, microwave, shaking incubator, safety cabinet, and the luminar flow bench. Group picture at the Community Outreach and Mentorship Program (Igunga Girls High School) with BPS Student Chapter members.

Members of the BPS Student Chapter - Kenya take a nature walk through the Kakamega Forest.

May 2019

9

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

BiophysicsWeek

Biophysics Week at Clemson The Clemson University Student Chapter celebrated Biophys- ics Week with several special events. On Thursday, March 28, they hosted North Carolina State biophysicist Mary Elting as part of the Physics Department’s colloquium series. Elting gave a great talk on the mechanics of cell division and the mitotic spindle. During her visit, the chapter also organized a lunch with the Women in Physics group, a seminar with cur- rent biophysics post-docs, graduate students, and undergrad- uates where trainees could ask career-related questions in a relaxed environment, and a special dinner with the student chapter following Elting’s talk. On Friday, the chapter hosted a general public talk with physics professor Hugo Sanabria and bioengineering profes- sor Delphine Dean . Sanabria shared about his research using single-molecule FRET, and Dean talked about her research on the effects of radiation on human tissue. In between the two brief lectures, the chapter used the Clemson University Immersive Space’s equipment to lead a virtual reality tour through the inside of a cell. Afterwards, guests enjoyed pizza and dessert.

NY Capital District BPS Student Chapter Biophysics Week For this year’s Biophysics Week (and first as a chapter), the NY Capital District BPS Student Chapter wanted to improve the visibility of the Society on campus, raise awareness of biophysics to students who may not come in contact with the discipline often, and facilitate increased involvement and discussion among members. To accomplish this, they did three things. First, to increase their presence, and hopefully attendance for future meet- ings and events, they created an Instagram account for the chapter. Second, on Tuesday, the chapter held a “What is Biophysics?” exhibit with two displays. In a display for biological fluores- cence, they demonstrated that differing polarities of solvents and temperature can affect fluorescence, leading to quenching and wavelength shifts. They explained that in experiments, this can help us to see how a protein’s conformation changes under different conditions. The second display was a bacterially produced cellulose pad (engineered by one of our members) that students could touch, showcasing biomechanics and structural biophysics. On Friday, the chapter held their first Biophysics Trivia Night, with food and prizes, during which questions spanned different topics within biophysics.

University of NewMexico Student Chapter For Biophysics Week, the University of New Mexico Student Chapter invited Professor Gaudenz Danuser from the University of Texas Southwestern for a Physics Colloquium at the Department of Physics and Astronomy on March 29th. Danuser is a distinguished professor in cell biology and biophysics and he is also chair of the Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics. On that day, the chapter arranged different meetings with him for students, postdocs, and PIs from various departments including the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Computer Science Depart- ment, the Pathology Department, and the New Mexico SpatioTemporal Modeling Center (STMC). The chapter provided a lunch meeting with Danuser for student members, and dinner at a local restaurant after his general talk. This event provided opportunities for students to communicate with Danuser in person and learn about his current projects. For those who are interested in con- tinuing their career at UT Southwestern, opportunities include postdoctoral positions and summer internships for graduate and undergraduate students. The chapter organized this event in col- laboration with the STMC and Department of Physics and Astronomy who also provided financial support.

May 2019

10

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

BiophysicsWeek

Texas A&M University Student Chapter The Texas A&M BPS Society Chapter hosted the First Biochem- istry and Biophysics Research and Technologies Symposium that included 6 student talks, 18 poster presenters, and a keynote address from Alex Zabula of ExxonMobil to close the event. The event drew participants from all over the campus including the Biochemistry and Biophysics, Chemistry, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering Depart- ments. The Chapter had a great time connecting with others and building scientific connections throughout the campus! Florida State University Student Chapter During Biophysics Week 2019, Florida State University (FSU)

BPS Student Chapter held a biophysics themed pizza luncheon and mini-talk for students that are currently engaged and interested in biophysics research across campus. The luncheon — featuring pizza from a local Tallahassee pizzeria —was held on Friday, March 29, in the Institute for Molecular Biology’s lecture room within the Kasha Laboratory Building. Students in attendance were from various departments across FSU, including: Chemistry/Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, and Molecular Biophysics. In addition to conversing about various biophysics-re- lated topics over pizza, the luncheon also featured a presentation from a first- year graduate student in the Molecular Biophysics Department who had recently joined her home lab. That lab engages in single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and the presentation gave an overview of the project, in- cluding a brief introduction to the field of cryo-EM, project background, completed rotation work, and exciting new experiments planned for the future. York University Student Chapter The Biophysics Club at York University in Canada celebrated Biophysics Week with several fun events. The students and faculty of York University were welcome to attend live physics demonstrations and hold discussions on their biophysical applications at a table in a public site on campus. Experiments spanned a wide range: from demonstrations comparing the skin penetration of green versus red light to introduce NIR spectroscopy and devices such as pulse oximeters; to gravity-defying gyroscopes and solenoids, motivating some of the inner-work- ings of MRI; to the measurement of material density via the buoyant force in a Cartesian diver experiment. Students were also

encouraged to engage in the Biomimetics Brainiacs 2019 Contest, wherein one biomi- metics themed short-answer

question would be posted daily throughout the week. Participants ran the chance of winning Biophysics Club merchandise. By attracting students and faculty of all disciplines to our table and contest, the Biophysics Club strives to not only introduce all to the wonderful field of biophysics, but also spark curiosity in reading further about the field.

Award Ceremony for the Biomimetics Brainiacs 2019 contest. Picture contains students who demonstrated exemplary participation throughout Biophysics Week 2019. From left to right: Ramisa Rawnak (Participant), Baseer Yousufzai (3rd place), Bartolomeo Candel- ma (1st place), Noam Yekutiel Sibony (Biophysics Club advisor), Nader Allam (President of the Biophysics Club), Prakriti Das (Participant), Leena Muti (2nd place).

May 2019

11

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

BiophysicsWeek

Highlights fromAffiliate Events Biophysics Week Manifestation in Belgrade (Serbia) On March 29, the Biophysical Society of Serbia partnered with the Center for the Promotion of Science (CPS), for a series of lectures on popular biophysics topics entitled “Biophysics of Signals and Models“ given by young researchers from the Faculties of Biology and Medicine of the University of Bel- grade. The three lectures were, “How to Teach the Machine to Recognize Biological Signals,“ by Andrej Korenić ; “Waves in the Cardiovascular System,“ by Bojana Stojadinović ; and “Fractals and Images,“ by Nemanja Rajković . The lectures were open to the general public. After each of the lectures, the audience asked questions and at the end of the session, a panel engaged in a lively discussion. During the session the leaflets downloaded and printed in color from the Biophysics Week site were distributed among the audience.

Biophysics Week at The Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences The Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences held several lectures during Biophysics Week. Professor Vsevolod Tverdislov spoke about chirality and its manifestation in biological systems. The academic lecture was presented in such a way that it was understandable even to non-biophysicists! Professor Renad Zhdanov talked about how everyone could choose a strategy for living a long and healthy life and provided many references and exam- ples. Professor Valery Zinchenko spoke about calcium waves in cells and organs and their role in the functioning of living systems. Biophysics Week organizer Vasily Pushcino lectured about ecology and presented a model for the formation of nuclear pores, taking into account the hydrodynamic forces and surface tension energy of membrane vesicles from which a membrane and pores are formed in the core. After each lecture, they answered questions. They are already planning for Biophysics Week 2020!

Biophysics Week at Bridgewater State University Bridgewater State University, the oldest permanently located institution of public higher education in Massachusetts cele- brated Biophysics Week with three different activities. The first activity was to educate the college community about the 2018 Nobel Prize. Biophysics research students designed posters highlighting “Optical Tweezers and their Applications to Biological Systems.” These posters were displayed in the hallway of the Science Center to target a general audience throughout the week. To encourage everyone to read the posters, a gift card raffle was introduced. To win you had to vote for the winning poster and explain why you selected that poster. A few hundred people voted. For the second activity, students interested in biophysics watched the Biophysical Journal sponsored webinar “High Throughput Single Molecule Techniques” on March 27. The week was capped off by a talk given by Jeff Gelles , the recipient of the Society’s 2019 Kazuhiko Kinosita Award in Single-Molecule Biophysics. The interest that was infectious throughout the week lead to a record-breaking crowd to Gelles’s talk on a Friday evening, necessitating a change of venue to a bigger auditorium. The spectacular and informational talk by Gelles provided the perfect finish for the 2019 celebration at Bridgewater State University.

May 2019

12

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Career Development

HowDo I Negotiate a Job Offer in Academia? Congratulations! So you’ve got an offer

As in all negotiations, having multiple offers is the best sce- nario for you to have negotiating leverage. If you have multi- ple offers, you may be able to use that to your advantage to get your best offer. In the end, the goal of negotiating is to get you the package that has the best chance of making you successful. Thank- fully, your university wants the same thing for you, so don’t let the negotiations become acrimonious. Always approach it from the perspective that you want what is best for both you and your university because your success is their suc- cess. Although negotiating can be stressful, it is important, so don’t just accept the first offer. Your salary and research for the rest of your career will depend, in part, on your first negotiation, so do it thoughtfully and with the long-term goal in mind.

(or more) and you’re trying to figure out if the offers are acceptable and which one to accept. If you’re in this situation, here are a few things to keep in mind as you proceed: (1) You are the top choice for the job; that means that they want you and they want to give you what you need to be successful; (2) They won’t know what you need unless you clearly state it up front; and (3) The more knowledge that you have, the better off you will be in any negotiations. Typically, when you’re notified that you are the top candidate for a job, the school will ask you for a list of what you will need (equipment, supplies, facilities, and personnel) to carry out your research program for the first 3–5 years. Hopeful- ly long before you get to this point, you’ve already thought about these things, but whether you have or have not, this a good time to think deeply about your research strategy as you develop your lab. What projects do you want to develop first and what equipment will you need for those projects, and then what projects are longer term goals. This will help you and the university you’re negotiating with try to figure out how to structure your startup package. Be aware that many companies offer new-investigator discounts, so if you need to purchase a large piece of equipment, it may be best to buy it during your first year when these discounts are available. When preparing to negotiate, you should have two versions of your list, one that is your “dream lab” scenario and then another, that is your minimally acceptable scenario. When you send your list to the university, start with the dream lab scenario, and then be prepared to negotiate down from there. Before you send your dream lab list, ask around to find out what this university, or others like it, have recently provided in startup funds. You need to make sure that your initial request does not come across as too outrageous to the university so as to damper their enthusiasm about you. One possible idea would be to start the negotiations at 20–30 percent higher than recent offers, and then be prepared to negotiate down from there. Salary is a bit easier to negotiate because there is typically less wiggle room on the university’s part. Generally, they can go 5–10 percent higher than their initial offer, but not more. For public universities, you can often find faculty salaries on- line, which will enable you to see the salaries of other recent hires. Any time you get an offer, you can always start by asking “Is that the best you can do?” Oftentimes, this question alone will be enough for them to come back with a higher offer. If they ask you for a counteroffer, then you need to be prepared to give one.

The Biophysical Society is grateful to its 2019 Industry Partners.

GOLD SILVER

For Industry Partner Membership information, contact alevine@biophysics.org.

May 2019

13

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Career Development

Designing and Implementing Strategies to Prevent and Recover fromBurnout

the academic setting. These include courses like Cultivating Emotional Balance, Cognitively Based Compassion Training, Compassion Cultivation Training, Mindful Self-Compassion, and others. Vasanthi Jayaraman , a professor of biochemistry and molecu- lar biology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, spoke from personal experience of the importance of mindfulness and meditation. After a busy but produc- tive early start to her career, she encountered a number of personal challenges that made her painfully aware of just how much she had taken on between research, service, and personal commitments. Through mindfulness and meditation, she has learned techniques to check in, even just briefly, and be present in a non-judgmental, focused way. Similarly, Kenton Swartz , a senior investigator in the molec- ular physiology and biophysics section of National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, reminded us that while science is amazing, it can be built on a framework of internal and external judgment. Seeking escape from the continuous internal and external criticism that drives much of scientific discourse, he took up yoga. As a complete novice, he took the opportunity to allow himself to explore the practice of yoga without judgment and with freedom. Many who seek escape in running, yoga, knitting, or board games will likely agree that finding an activity that allows us to find focus without judg- ment can work wonders to counteract burnout and stress. After a brief mindfulness exercise to guide us in appreciation and awareness, we were sent back on our way to the hus- tle and bustle of the Annual Meeting with at least food for thought, if not new practices to guide us in our daily academic life. Additional resources can be found at http:/cultivat- ing-emotional-balance.org/, https:/ tibet.emory.edu/cog- nitively-based-compassion-training/, http:/ccare.stanford. edu/education/about-compassion-cultivation-training-cct/, https:/self-compassion.org.

While many of us recognize and acknowledge the stresses of scientific jobs in academia and industry, mental health issues are often not discussed. This is particularly true in academia where there is relatively little discussion of how to support researchers as they navigate a mentally (and some- times physically!) challenging career. Stresses of competing for funding, lack of institutional support, teaching loads, and service all contribute to the depression, anxiety, and burnout felt by faculty and trainees ( Nature 562, Oct. 18). Additional factors of racial, gender, and age discrimination can add to feelings of isolation and despair. Trainees also have their own challenges; 47 percent report depression. Although we may recognize signs of burnout and stress, how do we counteract this? It can seem difficult to find practical tools to address what at times feels like inevitable periods of burnout and difficulty. A scientist is always looking for a protocol and it was with this interest that I attended the “Preventing Burnout” session at the BPS19 meeting. The ses- sion was organized under the auspices of the Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW) and was led by Eleonora Zakharian and featured Vasanthi Jayaraman and Kenton Swartz , each of whom brought unique and comple- mentary insight into how they have personally managed their mental health and how this can translate to tools for the rest of us. First, there are a few basic tenets to follow to avoid burnout. These include taking time off, even an evening or a weekend. Learning how to say no to tasks that are not a priority and recognizing that your job is just a job can also help. It also helps to have institutional commitment to faculty mental health, and while one has to remember that the institution never loves you back, there is an increasing availability of resources for helping to cultivate well-being and resilience in

Work-Life Balance: It Can Be Done, You Can Have Fun (In Both Worlds) June 19, 2019, 2:00 PM Eastern Presented by Alaina G. Levine

Register Today at biophysics.org/webinars

May 2019

14

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y