Biophysical Society Bulletin | September 2025

Communities

Jefferson Knight Education Committee

Jefferson Knight

so many wonderful colleagues, and even wrote a paper with some of them. These are people who share my interests, and I’m sure I’ll stay in touch with many of them throughout my career. Getting to know the BPS staff has been a major highlight as well. Do you have advice for others who might be thinking about volunteering? Volunteering is something that anyone can do, and BPS has a wide range of opportunities. Find something you care about and sign up! If you’re not sure if a position is right for you, talk to someone who is on the committee about what they do. When not volunteering for BPS, what do you work on? My lab studies protein-membrane interactions in the exo cytosis pathway. I am also the Director of Undergraduate Research at my institution. I really enjoy teaching students in the lab and making scientific discoveries together.

Is this your first volunteer position for BPS? If not, what other positions have you held? Yes. I have served on the Education Committee since 2019, and I have also been part of the leadership of the Membrane Fusion, Fission, and Traffic Subgroup since 2023. Why do you volunteer? For both of these positions, a BPS member who had been on the committee previously recruited me. Once I realized the committees were a good fit for my skills and passions, I vol unteered when the time was right. BPS has been my favorite conference over the years, and volunteering seems like a great way to help sustain the Society and advance our shared mission. What has been a highlight from your volunteer experience? The best benefit has been getting to know the other amaz ing BPS members who serve their community! I have met

Are you a student chapter member or advisor? Don’t miss out on the chance to apply for the Student Chapter Events Grant for up to $500 in funding for your events! Appli cations are open through November 14. For more information, go to www.biophysics.org/awards-funding/student-chapter-events-grant.

September 2025

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