Biophysical Society Bulletin | September 2018

Communities

Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women The BPS Bulletin is running a series highlighting the Society’s committees to help members learn more about them and

the kinds of things committee members do on behalf of BPS. In 1972 the Society’s Council established a new committee, the Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW), dedicated to increasing recognition and opportunities for women biophysicists. The charge of CPOW is to promote science education for girls and women; to promote the advancement and retention of women and minorities in biophysics; to foster development of professional communities among women; to raise awareness of the scientific contributions of women in biophysics; to rec- ognize the challenges of balancing career and family; and to promote fair and equitable treatment and improve the climate for women in biophysics at all stages of their careers. The committee is made up of volunteer members who serve staggered three-year terms, renewable once. The current chair is Gabriela Popescu , University at Buffalo. The committee meets in person at the Annual Meeting and via conference call in late summer each year to plan their activities and discuss any relevant issues.

At the Annual Meeting, CPOW organizes professional development and networking sessions. The PI-to-PI Mixer is a wine and cheese mixer for principal investigators to come together to compare notes and discuss challenges and solutions. CPOW also organizes workshops on issues of concern especially to women scientists. The committee produces articles for Biophysics Week profiling women biophysicists in order to share the stories of successful women in the field. In another effort to promote the accomplishments of women in biophysics, committee members encourage and assist in organizing nominations of women for Biophysical Society awards each spring. Additionally, CPOW writes posts for the BPS blog tackling issues including imposter syndrome, mentoring, the “leaky pipeline,” gender equality accreditation programs, and the state of women in biophysics.

Use Your Expertise toMake a Difference! Be an inspiration to your community and help change the lives of those interest- ed in or studying science. The Find a Biophysicist (FaB) Network launched in early April with the newly redesigned BPS website. Volunteer to be a K–12 classroom visitor, mentor, science fair judge, speaker, or student chapter sponsor. The FaB Network is free and accessible by members and nonmembers, but only BPS members may add their names to FaB. The network is designed to provide the best match to users searching for a biophysicist for any of the aforementioned activities. To join FaB, login or create your myBPS account and get involved. Help build this new network by signing up today. For more information, visit biophysics. org/get-involved.

Apply to be the 2019-2020 BPS Congressional Fellow!

Are you interested in working on Capitol Hill and learning more about science policy? All members who have obtained their PhD and are eligible to work in the United States may apply. Application deadline: December 22, 2018 Visit www.biophysics.org for additional information.

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