Biophysical Society Bulletin | September 2025

Communities Member Corner

Members in the News

Denise Okafor , Pennsylvania State University and Society member since 2020, was named one of Chemical & Engineering News ’s “Talented Twelve.”

Denise Okafor

Grants & Opportunities National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Award in Chemical Sciences This award is presented annually to honor innovative research in the chemical sciences that contributes to a better understanding of the natural sciences and to the benefit of humanity. The award is presented with a medal and a $15,000 prize. Who can apply: Self-nominations are not accepted. Deadline: October 6, 2025 Website: www.nasonline.org/award/nas-award-in- chemical-sciences/

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) James Prize in Science and Technology Integration This prize honors outstanding contributions made by researchers who are able to adopt or adapt information or techniques from outside their field, and thus integrate knowledge from two or more disciplines (e.g., engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, biomedicine, or computational sciences) to solve a major contemporary challenge not addressable from a single disciplinary per spective. The award is presented with a $50,000 prize. Who can apply: Self-nominations are not accepted. Deadline: October 6, 2025 Website: www.nasonline.org/award/james-prize-in-sci ence-and-technology-integration/

Student Spotlight

Mehmet Niyazi Çetin Bahçeşehir University What do you hope to accomplish in your career?

I aspire to become a physician-scientist specializing in biomedical research, focusing on the translational appli cations of biophysics in diagnostics and therapeutics. After completing my medical education, I plan to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD program combining biophysics, biomechanics, and biomaterials. My goal is to integrate clinical medicine with fundamental biomedical research and translational studies, allowing me to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the clinic.

Mehmet Niyazi Çetin

September 2025

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