Biophysical Society Bulletin | October 2023

Member Corner

Members in the News

Two Society members were named 2023 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Gilliam Fellow Advisers:

Anne Carlson , University of Pittsburgh and member since 2007, adviser for Crystal Lara Santos ;

Douglas Robinson , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and member since 2004, adviser for Eleana Parajón .

Anne Carlson and Crystal Lara Santos

Douglas Robinson and Eleana Parajón

Grants & Opportunities

Out to Innovate Recognition Awards These awards were established as a means of identi fying, honoring, and documenting the contributions of outstanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) science, engineering, and technology profes sionals. Awards include the Walt Westman Award and awards for the LGBTQ+ Scientist of the Year, Engineer of the Year, and Educator of the Year. Who may apply: The Scientist and Engineer of the Year Awards honor LGBTQ+ scientists and engineers. The Educator of the Year Award celebrates a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or allied educator who has inspired and enabled LGBTQ+ students to thrive in STEM fields through teaching, counseling, advocacy, or other educational roles. Deadline: October 31, 2023 Website: www.outtoinnovate.org/recognition-awards

American Association of University Women International Fellowships

American Association of University Women International Fellowships provide support for women pursuing full time graduate or postdoctoral study in the United States who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career. Who may apply: Both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions are supported. Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s de gree and must have applied to their proposed institutions of study by the time of application. Deadline: November 15, 2023 Website: www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellow ships-grants/current-opportunities/international/

Student Spotlight

Priyanka Dogra St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital What inspired you to study biophysics? As an undergraduate student, I had the invalu able opportunity to enroll in a course led by Samrat Mukhopadhyay . After one of the lectures,

details this technique offers about nanoscale protein structures. I was further privileged to be acquainted with Dr. Mily Bhattacha rya , a distinguished scientist who introduced me to another powerful biophysical technique, atomic force microscopy. These experiences marked my introduction to the enthralling realm of biophysics. These techniques played a pivotal role in deepening my comprehension of the burgeoning realm of biomolecular phase separation and inspired me to continue biological phase separation studies in my ongoing postdoctoral research. The complexities inherent in these advanced tools consistently cap tivated my intellectual pursuits and have indelibly propelled my unwavering commitment to a career in biophysics.

Priyanka Dogra

Dr. Mukhopadhyay graciously invited me to his research labo ratory, where he showcased ongoing experiments on near-field scanning optical microscopy. This opportunity ignited a sense of curiosity within me and made me eager to learn the intricate

October 2023

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