It makes me happy to hear from many of you that you consider the Biophysical Society to be more than an association of like-minded members. For me, too, it is a community where initial interactions often develop into supportive, nurturing, enriching, life-long connections. Such connections glue us together into an “organism” that is more powerful than any of its parts. We each contribute to that power through the time and effort we commit to common activities. And, conversely, the connections we develop during such common activities leave each of us more powerful: more knowledgeable, more experienced, with a broader perspective, and with a larger network. This is why in this column, I want to highlight the many opportunities available to our members to engage rewardingly with BPS, regardless of our career level, time zone of residence, or personal resources.
Most of us have initially joined BPS as trainees or junior scientists, attracted by its mission to “promote dissemination of knowledge in biophysics.” We became members of BPS to attend the Annual Meeting where we can interact with other biophysicists or to publish our results in its journals. However, we stayed, and renewed our membership year after year, because we felt inspired and supported by the connections we developed with other members. The exchange of information facilitated by our initial interactions grew into connections imbued with feelings of fellowship and friendship. I believe that for junior and seasoned members alike, engaging with the Society can be a source of inspiration, of renewed purpose, and of energy. So, what does it mean to engage with BPS, and how can you go about it?
As I have addressed in previous columns, renewing your membership, attending BPS-sponsored meetings, and publishing in the BPS family of journals remain powerful ways to engage with the Society. These venues allow you to both contribute to the BPS community and benefit from it. However, as a BPS member you can engage with the Society year-round. To select those activities where your time investment is returned with the most satisfaction, start by consulting the “Get Involved” page on the BPS website (www.biophysics.org/get-involved), peruse the monthly BPS Bulletin (www.biophysics.org/bps-bulletin), follow BPS on social media, or contact us directly ([email protected] or [email protected]). We are happy to hear from you! And I feel certain that whether you choose to participate in a one-off event, perhaps online from the comfort of your own office, or if you commit to taking on years-long commitments to help govern the Society, you will find something that meets your needs.
Outreach and networks. Many of us find purpose and satisfaction by volunteering to improve our neighborhoods and local communities. And perhaps this is where we can be most effective in inspiring the next generation of biophysicists and in supporting STEM education. Whether you choose to volunteer as a judge at a science fair, to visit a K–12 classroom with a neighbor or your child or grandchild, to be a mentor, or to sponsor a BPS Student Chapter, the Find a Biophysicist (FaB) Network (www.biophysics.org/find-a-biophysicist) can connect you with opportunities in your local community.
By joining the Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) Network (www.biophysics.org/pui-network), you can connect with fellow biophysicists dedicated to undergraduate education across the globe. And by joining a BPS Subgroup (www.biophysics.org/subgroups), you can explore a specialized area of biophysics of your choice.
Also, mark your calendars for the 10th annual Biophysics Week (www.biophysics.org/biophysics-week#/), March 24–28, 2025, where you can host an Affiliate Event such as a seminar, a journal club, a book discussion, a beer hour, or a cooking class! The event type is all up to you! Register your event with BPS and become part of the worldwide celebration and a powerful global community!
Nominate a biophysicist for recognition. Every year, from January 1 to May 1, BPS accepts nominations for its prestigious awards (www.biophysics.org/awards-funding/society-awards) in 16 categories. From the Outstanding Doctoral Research in Biophysics Award, which is reserved for newly minted PhDs, to the Founders and Fellow of the Biophysical Society Awards, which recognize sustained contributions and achievement, BPS seeks to honor and celebrate excellence in biophysics! You too can define excellence by assembling a nomination package or by writing a persuasive letter on behalf of a deserving colleague. In addition, BPS accepts self-nominations for the majority of its awards! I wrote in more detail about my experience reviewing nominations on the Awards and Fellows Committees (see October 2024 issue of BPS Bulletin). I believe that our awardees, through their accomplishments and prominence, speak volumes to the BPS brand as the trusted leader in quantitative life sciences. We can each do more to ensure that all deserving accomplishments are acknowledged, recognized, and celebrated. I hope you will consider submitting a nomination in the next cycle.
Propose a BPS Thematic Meeting. Since 2010, BPS has sponsored small, one-off, member-organized meetings, focused on a specific topic. The Society provides complete meeting management (in advance and on site), and partial financial underwriting. All proposals are reviewed by the Thematic Meetings Committee and must be approved by Council to ensure that they serve the BPS mission and adhere to our values and aspirations. Keep an eye on your inbox for calls for proposals, as well as on social media and the monthly BPS Bulletin. Learn more about how to prepare such a proposal at www.biophysics.org/thematic-meeetings/criteria-and-submission-info.
Committees. Joining a BPS committee offers a more structured modality of engaging with the Society. Serving on a committee requires a three-year commitment, but rewards you with lasting connections and regular interactions with a small group while advancing a particular goal and learning more about the Society. On the Committees web page (https://www.biophysics.org/about-bps/governance/committees) you will find a full list of our committees, their charges, composition, and terms of service. For more advice about joining a BPS Committee, see the Molly Cule column on p. 22. To express your willingness to serve on any of the committees for Early Careers, Education, Inclusion and Diversity, Membership, Professional Opportunities for Women, Public Affairs, Publications, or Sustainability, please fill out a volunteer form (www.surveymonkey.com/r/6VLDPTF), or contact the committee chair. BPS is committed to equitable representation and inclusion across all facets of diversity, and for this reason all new and continuing appointments are reviewed and must be approved by Council on an annual basis. I volunteered to serve on the Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women early in my career and, with time and experience, I had the privilege of chairing the committee for two terms. I made life-long friends there, and I am still very engaged with that community.
Elected office. Serving on the 12-member BPS Council, or as a BPS officer as treasurer, secretary, or president, is an honor and a privilege one has to earn by demonstrating dedication to the BPS mission, knowledge about its organization and governance, and an exciting vision for the future. We are very fortunate to have many members who are superb leaders, and who over the years have given their time, effort, and talent for the good of the Society. And I know that we have among us many more talented members who are yet to throw their hat in the ring for the amazing opportunity to shape the future of biophysics.
Personally, I plan to remain active in BPS long after my term as a BPS officer comes to an end. I will continue to use the many venues of engagement BPS offers to ensure that as biophysicists we maintain and strengthen our identity as the purveyors and guardians of quantitative and rigorous research in biology, while remaining open to increasingly diverse areas of research.
I hope you will join me in continuing to promote the reputation of BPS as the trusted leader in quantitative life sciences.
—Gabriela K. Popescu, President