Biophysical Society Bulletin | November 2020

Public Affairs

Make PolicyWork for Science—Apply for the 2021-2022 BPS Congressional Fellowship 

The BPS Congressional Fellowship is an opportunity to embed science into the daily work of House and Senate offices. Members of Congress rely on their staff to bring expertise and knowledge to all aspects of the work they are tasked with. Working in public policy may not be the obvious next step in a career focused on scientific research, but it can impact policy and how you approach your research and funding in the future. This year-long program provides a unique opportunity to work with a Member of Congress or committee, bringing your first-hand knowledge of science and scientific research to the public policy process. BPS is now accepting applications for the 2021–2022 fellowship year. The BPS Congressional Fellowship is part of the esteemed AAAS Science and Technology Fellows program and is open to Regular and Early Career BPS members who are either US citizens or hold a visa allowing them the right to work in the United States. Visit the website for more details about the pro- gram or contact Leann Fox at fellowship@biophysics.org or (240) 290-5606. The application deadline is December 18, 2020 . 

Congressional FellowAnnounced

nation’s health agencies to maintain the integrity and protocols in place to develop, test, and approve vaccines in the United States. The increasing pressure to expedite development, testing, and distribution of vaccines for COVID-19 sets a dangerous precedent putting politics above science and the safety of the public. Echoing similar concerns on political pressures, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar issued a memo barring the nation’s health agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, from signing any new rules regarding the na- tion’s foods, medicines, medical devices and other products, including vaccines. Senate Introduces the Science and Transparency Over Politics (STOP) Act On September 21,33 Senators joined Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), to introduce the Science and Transpar- ency Over Politics (STOP) Act, legislation to fight back against political interference by the Trump Administration in the work of experts and the nation’s public health agencies.

The Society is pleased to announce that it has selected Samantha Anderson , PhD, as its 2020–2021Congressional Fellow. Anderson will spend a year working on legislative and policy areas requiring scientific input in the office of Representa- tive Debra Haaland (D-NM-01). She will also participate in the American Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)’s Science and Technology Fellow-

Samantha Anderson

ship Program, which includes a year-long seminar series on issues related to science policy. Anderson received her PhD in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Learn more about the fellowship program at: https:/www. biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/congressional-fellowship. Science, Not Politics: The Battle for Vaccine Approval On September 22, the Biophysical Society (BPS) joined with 78 other science and health organizations on a news release and ad in the Wall Street Journal to urge the leadership of the

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