Biophysical Society - July 2014 Newsletter

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BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

2014

JULY

CPOW: Addressing the Needs of Women Biophysicists for More than 40 Years

In the aftermath of the Second World War, rapid technological advances initiated a vast diversifica- tion in biomedical research. Physiologists devoted to biophysical approaches recognized the need for a professional society that would cater to their specific interests and would labor to “ encourage the development and dissemination of knowledge in biophysics.” The first meeting of what today is the Biophysical Society was held in 1957, with about 500 scientists in attendance. In keeping with social and political mores, only a small fraction of attendees were women, and of these, none were in leadership positions.

their advancement to leadership positions within the Society and at research institutions across the country. Despite these strides however, women continue to face gender-specific barriers in profes- sional and leadership spheres. The Biophysical Society recognizes the sustained need to encourage science education for girls and women, to promote the retention and advance- ment of women in science, to recognize contribu- tions by women biophysicists, to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all, and to improve the climate for women in biophysics at all stages of their careers. To address these goals, the CPOW

sponsors travel awards for junior biophysicists and organizes educa- tional, networking, and career development activities at the An- nual Meeting. These activities are open to all attendees, and have addressed such top- ics as: transition from postdoctoral fellow to faculty, how to expand your influence beyond the bench, getting a grant renewed, net- working, advocating for a promotion, work- ing in a start-up com- pany, and opportuni- ties for non-academic research careers. The Committee’s ini- tiatives now, while still

It wasn’t until 15 years later that the Society elected its first woman officer in Margaret Oak- ley Dayhoff , a pioneer in the field of bioinformatics. She served as Secretary from 1971 to 1979. It is unlikely a mere coincidence that also in 1972, the Council chartered a new committee dedicated to “ increasing recogni-

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The Biophysical Society recognizes the sustained need to encourage science educa- tion for girls and women, to promote the retention and advancement of women in science, to recognize contributions by women biophysicists, to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all, and to improve the climate for women in biophysics at all stages of their careers.

Margaret Oakley Dayhoff

tion and opportunities for women biophysicists, ” the Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW). In 1973, Rita Guttman , who five years earlier had been the first woman elected to Council, served as chair of the newly formed CPOW. The Society elected Jane K. Setlow to serve as its first female President four years later. Over the past 40 years, the number and percent- age of women working and leading in the field of biophysics has risen dramatically. Today, the Biophysical Society recognizes with pride the contributions of women in advancing knowledge and education in biophysics. Women are playing a leadership role in the Society as officers, coun- cil members, committee chairs, symposia and workshop chairs, and speakers. Although difficult to measure, CPOW’s timely founding and its continued service have had an important role in the marked increase in women biophysicists and

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focused on helping women advance their careers in science, serve Society members of both genders seeking career guidance. — Gabriela Popescu and Ryan Hoffman , CPOW Committee Members