Biophysical Society Bulletin | October 2021

Cheers for Volunteers

Silvia Cavagnero Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW)

Silvia Cavagnero

Is this your first volunteer position for BPS? If not, what other positions have you held? I am currently a member of the Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW) and a member of the In- trinsically Disordered Proteins (IDP) Subgroup Council. This is not my first volunteering experience with BPS. In prior years I have served on the Committee for Inclusion and Diversity (CID) and I have been a Chair of the Biopolymers in Vivo (BIV) Subgroup. Why do you volunteer? I really enjoy encouraging and helping other biophysicists, especially if they are underrepresented in science. Everyone who has been trained as a biophysicist deserves to have a chance to acquire more knowledge and understanding of the world around us. By helping others achieve this goal, I feel that I give back to the very community that helped me in so many ways through my career. Volunteering is also an excel- lent way to make new science friends, network, and be part of an amazing worldwide community of biophysicists, many of whom share similar goals and aspirations.

What has been a highlight from your volunteer experience? The major highlights of my current volunteering experience have been co-organizing Networking Events for Biophysicists on behalf of CPOW. I also have been very proud of organizing sessions on Cutting-Edge Topics in Biophysics at the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Ameri- cans in Sciences (SACNAS) National Conference. Encouraging young students from underrepresented communities at SACNAS has been incredibly fulfilling. Do you have advice for others who might be thinking about volunteering? My best advice is to start by spending some time thinking about what you really care about within BPS. Which activity best resonates with your fondest aspirations? Where can you make a difference? Then volunteer for this activity. It is fun, rewarding, not too time-consuming, and you will immediately make new friends and feel part of an amazing community. When not volunteering for BPS, what do you work on? I really like to think about science and to work with my stu- dents on our research projects. When I don’t, I spend time with my daughters and husband, often outdoors or cooking together, and I cultivate my passion for drawing and painting.

Grants & Opportunities Kavli Prize The Kavli Prize recognizes breakthroughs in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience—the big, the small, and the complex. Three $1 million prizes are awarded in these fields. Who can apply: Self-nominations are not accepted Deadline: December 1, 2021 Website: https:/ kavliprize.org/events-and-fea- tures/2022-call-nominations

LGBTQ+ Awards from the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals This organization gives a few awards each year with currently open applications. The awards are presented to LGBTQ+ scientists and include Scientist of the Year, Engi- neer of the Year, Educator of the Year, and more. Deadline: December 21, 2021 Website: https:/www.noglstp.org/programs-projects/ recognition-awards/

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