Biophysical Society Bulletin | May 2022

Biophysicist in Profile

The most rewarding aspects of her work are fostering the next generation of researchers and the excitement of discov- ery. “I absolutely love to witness the growth in my trainees. If I wasn’t a scientist, I’d be a teacher, as I love training and mentoring the future generation of scientists,” Griffith says. “A close second would be contributing to knowledge. I love getting results that no one has reported before, and really being at the forefront of scientific investigation. That was a big driver in my deciding to pursue a career at an academic R1 institution.” When she’s not working in her lab, Griffith spends time writ- ing children’s literature focused on STEM. “I am the author of the science adventure series The Magnificent Makers (Random House Children’s Books) and co-writer on the nonfiction series Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files (Abrams),” she reveals. “I also enjoy doing yoga, tending to my garden and house plants, and spending time outside with my family.” She also volunteers as a member of the Biophysical Society’s Committee for Inclusion and Diversity, and conceived of and organized the recent Justice for Underrepresented Scholars Training in Biophysics (JUST-B) Poster Session at the An- nual Meeting. “The inaugural JUST-B Poster Session was a huge success. Nearly 50 underrepresented trainees, from career stages spanning undergraduate researchers to senior scientists, presented their cutting-edge work,” she reports. “The session was attended by faculty, industry professionals, journal editors, and program officials from NIH. I couldn’t have hoped for a better turnout, which in my opinion shows just how needed this session was. I am thrilled to watch as this program evolves in the years to come.” To those just starting out in biophysics, Griffith says, “Wel- come! The biophysics community is amazing. The field is rapidly evolving with the development of cutting-edge optical, imaging, structural, and functional techniques. There is so much room for growth. We are happy you are here.”

Griffith at the inaugural JUST-B Poster Session with Delany Torres-Salazar, Ana Fernandez-Mariño, and Teresa Giráldez.

Griffith describes her favorite part of working under the biophysics umbrella: “I really love ion channels and understanding how they are uniquely tuned to achieve their physiological role. I also love the biophysics community! My work is definitely on the edge of what one might consid- er ‘biophysics.’ We don’t study channel function per se, but instead how channel function influences neuronal physiology and behavior. But I have truly fallen in love with the biophysics community, as I find it incredibly supportive and welcoming. Gathering with colleagues at the Annual Meeting is definitely a highlight of my year.” She explains further: “Being a part of the Society has intro- duced me to researchers and research that have changed the way I approach science. I am a neuroscientist by training, but the connections I have made with the biophysics community has given my research a special twist, allowing me to ask questions that span ion channel biophysics to mammalian behavior.”

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