Biophysical Society Newsletter | December 2017

5

BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

2017

DECEMBER

tor General and Taxpayer Advocate for Research. The bill had not been scheduled to be considered by a committee as of press time. US Plans to Continue to Support UNESCO Science Programs after Withdrawal On October 12, 2017, the Trump administra- tion announced that the United States would withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing “mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias.” The United States had discontinued funding for the organization in

2011 but has remained involved and now plans to pursue non-member observer status so that it can continue to contribute to UNESCO work. While the decision to withdrawal has nothing to do with the scientific work undertaken by UNESCO, there is concern that withdrawal by the United States will hinder international scientific collaboration. According to the UNESCO web- site, “UNESCO is responsible for coordinating international cooperation in education, science, culture and communication.” The organiza- tion has played a role in the development of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), which hosts the Large Hadron Collider, for example.

Biophysics has impacted the world in many big and important ways. From advances in human health and developing sustainable energy sources, to increasing our basic understanding of life and how it has evolved, biophysics has made huge contributions to science. We’d like to hear from our members on what you think the most important discoveries, breakthroughs, and inventions in the field have been over the last 10 years. Let us know what you think by taking this survey. The results of the survey will be compiled, and members will vote during Biophysics Week 2018 on which discoveries they think are the most important breakthroughs.

Help us show the world how biophysics impacts everyone! Take the survey at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2N8K3RN

Survey Deadline: January 31, 2018.