Biophysical Society Newsletter | November 2017

4

2017

BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER

Public Affairs

Washington, DC. The Biophysical Society is a sponsor of the Award, which honors obscure or odd-sounding federally funded research that led to significant breakthroughs or outcomes, in order to convey the value of basic research and of allowing scientists to pursue independent research interests. Three teams of researchers were recognized for: 1. Research on how mussels stick to surfaces, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, that resulted in a new soy-based glue for ply- wood, replacing a cancer-causing agent. 2. Research on chytrid fungi, which led to unlocking the mystery of mass die-offs of amphibians around the globe. 3. Research into fuzzy logic and fuzzy sets, by a computer scientist funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the National Science Foundation, that proposed concepts for mathematicians to use to deal with impre- cise knowledge. The findings have been ap- plied to efficiency improvements for HVAC systems and healthcare devices. “The Golden Goose Award reminds us why politicians must leave scientific research to the scientists,” said Jim Cooper (D-TN). “This year’s winners prove how obscure and even unbeliev- able studies can change the world as we know it. We must continue to support our scientists whose brilliance and ingenuity keep America the greatest nation on earth.” BPS Congressional Fellow BPS 2017–18 Congressional Fellow Yasmeen Hussain will be working in the office of Represen- tative Bill Foster (D-IL), handling a broad science portfolio, which could include topics ranging from science education to space to genetics, as well as legislation in front of the House science com- mittee during the coming year. She started her po- sition at the end of September, after a few weeks of orientation and training through the AAAS Science and Technology Fellowship program.

Rally for Medical Research Five Biophysical Society members joined more

than 400 other biomedical researchers, patients, and family members gathered in Washington, DC, September 13–14, to call on Congress to support medical research by providing sustainable, pre- dictable, and robust funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Participants from the Biophysical Society

were Catherine Royer , Rensselaer Polytechnic In- stitute; Kim Ha , St. Catherine University; Vidhya Sivakumaran , Intelligent Medical Objects; Allen Price , Emmanuel College; and Catherine Volle , Cottey College. They were each placed on a team with others from their state to visit congressional offices and make the case for the federal invest- ment in NIH. The Society is a sponsor of the Rally, and the BPS logo was included on the Rally website and at the event. The Society was also listed as a sponsor in a full-page ad that appeared in the Capitol Hill publication, Roll Call , on September 14. In addition, BPS members in the United States were encouraged to participate in a national day of action by sending letters, making phone calls, and posting on social media. Through a call to action sent on September 13, the Society generated 185 messages to Capitol Hill from 54 individuals. Golden Goose Award Three teams of researchers, whose work might have sounded odd or impractical at the time it was conducted, but which led to major human and economic benefits, were honored at the Sixth Annual Golden Goose Award ceremony held on September 27, at the Library of Congress in