Sunday, March 3, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
This “breakfast” for undergraduate students offers a valuable networking and social opportunity to meet other students, Biophysical Society Committee members, and scientists at all career levels to discuss academic goals and questions, and to develop a biophysics career path. The Breakfast will include a panel discussion on academic and career paths in biophysics, with opportunities for questions and answers from the audience - come prepared to find out about the course of study that aspiring biophysicists undertake, what it means to be a biophysicist, and how biophysicists make important discoveries. Space for this session is limited to the first 100 attendees.
Speakers:
Dr. Elih Velázquez, Naval Medical Research Center
Logan Kaler, Graduate Student, University of Maryland
Ashley Simpson, Undergraduate, Bay Path University
The World Outside the Lab: Many Ways to Use Your PhD Skills
Sunday, March 3, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
Have you ever wondered how you can apply the skills learned while working on your PhD in a career away from the bench? This panel will explore multiple career options that exist in government, industry, and academia. Panelists with science backgrounds, now involved in a wide variety of careers, will share their personal experiences.
Speakers:
Maureen Cruz, Booz Allen Hamilton
Hermes Taylor, 2018-2019 BPS Congressional Fellow
Corinne Zeitler, NIH/NCI
Paige Shaklee, Cell Press
Education & Career Opportunities Fair
Sunday, March 3, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
This fair will provide opportunities for candidates to meet with representatives from educational institutions as well as industry and government agencies. Students and postdoctoral candidates will be able to meet with representatives from colleges and universities with leading programs in biophysics. Attendees can connect with representatives from industry and agencies who will provide information about employment and funding opportunities at their institutions/companies.
Stop by the fair to learn about the variety of opportunities available and to talk one-on-one with representatives from participating organizations.
Representatives interested in reserving a table at this fair to display information about their institution/company’s biophysics-related opportunities must complete a registration form and submit the registration fee in advance. All those attending the Annual Meeting are encouraged to attend. Register for a table today! Please contact the Society at [email protected] with questions.
Teaching Science Like We Do Science
Sunday, March 3, 2:00 PM–3:30 PM
How do we know if our teaching is effective? This interactive, hands-on workshop focuses on practice-applicable, easy-to-use strategies and tools that educators at any level of biophysical science education can use to assess what their students take away from their teaching, and where they might make changes to their educational methods. Moderating and participating educators will have a chance to share their first-hand experiences in round table discussions and collaborate, regardless of the extent of previous knowledge, to construct their personal assessment toolbox. Participants will design an individualized action plan for aligning learning goals with suitable assessment techniques and instructional methods. We will use the means of learning evaluation to bringing biophysics education to life in the lab, the classroom and the community.
Speakers:
Gundula Bosch – Johns Hopkins University
Pedro Muino – St. Francis University
Brexit & Science: Consequences for Research Funding and Immigration Flows
Sunday, March 3, 2:30 PM–4:00 PM
In 2017, the United Kingdom surprised the world by voting to leave the European Union. But what does it mean for the UK and EU scientific communities? Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union on March 29, 2019, and we expect this session will be extremely timely, as the contours of a Brexit Deal should be established at this point. We will host a panel of experts and on-the-ground researchers to discuss what Brexit means for the UK and EU science work force, research funding and international scientific exchange.
Speakers:
Tony Watts, President, European Biophysical Societies' Association; Biochemistry Department, University of Oxford
Andrew Price, Head of Science and Innovation Network for the USA; Regional Manager, Americas, British Embassy, Washington DC.
Matthias Wilmanns, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Head of the Unit, Hamburg, Germany
PI to PI, a Wine & Cheese Mixer
Sunday, March 3, 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
You finally have a job working in biophysics, in industry or academia, with some funding and a lab, but you’ve realized that the career challenges continue. Come relax and network with your contemporaries and senior biophysicists over a beer or glass of wine. This event is a great chance to compare notes with colleagues and discuss one-on-one your unique solutions to issues that arise in the time between getting your job and getting your next promotion, including management of lab staff, getting your work published, and renewing your funding. Refreshments will be provided, with cash bar.
Student Research Achievement Award (SRAA) Poster Competition
Sunday, March 3, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
This session features students who are presenting posters at the Meeting and have indicated at the time of abstract submission that they wish to participate in the competition. During the competition, students will give a five-to-seven minute oral presentation of their posters to one or more judges. Winners will be recognized on Monday evening prior to the Biophysical Society Lecture. For more information click here.
Graduate Student Breakfast
Monday, March 4, 7:30 AM–8:30 AM
This breakfast presents an opportunity for graduate student Annual Meeting attendees to meet and discuss the issues they face in their current career stage. Limited to the first 100 attendees.
Speakers:
Lamar Mair, Weinberg Medical Physics
Frank Sachse, University of Utah
New Member Welcome Coffee
Monday, March 4, 10:15 AM–11:15 AM
All new Biophysical Society members are invited to participate in an informal gathering to meet members of the Society’s council and programs, find out about the Society’s activities, get acquainted with other new members, and enjoy refreshments. Current members are encouraged to come meet the new members.
Annual Meeting of the Student Chapters
Monday, March 4, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
BPS Student Chapter members are invited to attend the Student Chapter Meeting! At the event, Student Chapters from around the world will exchange best practices (and share challenges!) in marketing their chapters and recruiting members, performing community outreach in science, and hosting chapter events. This event is open only to students currently in a BPS Student Chapter.
Moderators:
Allen Price, Emmanuel College
Seth Weinberg, Virginia Commonwealth University
The Nuts and Bolts of Preparing Your NSF Grant
Monday, March 4, 12:30 PM–2:00 PM
The National Science Foundation’s Biological Sciences Directorate strongly supports biophysics researchers through its Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. The division awarded over $160 million in funding to researchers in 41 states. At this session, program directors and officers with expertise in biophysics will be providing details on the NSF grant-making process as it stands in 2019, with a particular emphasis on grant writing and submission for new and early career investigators.
Speaker:
Engin Serpersu, Program Director, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, NSF
Understanding the Congressional Budget Process: How Science is Funded
Monday, March 4, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
In 2018, Congress approved a major budget deal that raised the discretionary spending caps for the first time since sequestration. However, when this budget deal expires in 2019, Congress will face a potential funding cliff. How will the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other science-related agencies do under the next budget deal? Will Congress even pass a new budget deal? Which agencies fund scientific research and how does Congress negotiate their funding levels?
Join our panel of government and industry insiders as we explore how the Congressional budget is developed, historical trends in science funding, and what the future may hold!
Panelist:
Tiffany Kaszuba, Deputy Director, Coalition for Health Funding
Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs
Biophysics 101: Gene Editing
Monday, March 4, 1:30 PM–3:00 PM
Gene editing refers to the modification of genetic material in living organisms by introducing insertions, deletions or base-pair changes. These modifications have been greatly facilitated by the discovery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in bacteria and subsequent adaptations for higher organisms. The speakers in this session will focus on new methods being developed for gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 and related CRISPR systems, including RNA editing, tissue-specific gene editing, therapeutic strategies, and applications to plant breeding and crop development.
Moderator:
Sharyn Endow, Duke University
Presenters:
Greg Gocal, Cibus
Virtual Biophysics: Virtual and Augmented Reality meets Biophysics
Monday, March 4, 2:15 PM–3:45 PM
As virtual reality has become cheaper and more accessible, the research and educational applications of this technology have grown. Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR, AR, and MR) technologies offer immersive experiences by exposing human senses to computer-generated sounds, images, and haptic stimulations. This session will showcase to researchers, educators, and students how these technologies are being applied in biophysics research and education and offer participants a chance to test out these new tools and experience the power and prospects of VR and AR in the classroom and the research lab.
Moderators:
Kambiz Hamadani and Christopher Yip
Presenters:
Tom Skillman (Immersive Science). “Immersive VR Experiences for Research – Cell Architecture & Protein Structure”
Tate Chan (Nanome inc). ”Collaborative Analysis and Design of Biophysical Systems in Virtual Reality”
Nathan Spencer (IstoVisio Inc). “syGlass: Interactive Exploration of Multidimensional Images Using Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays”
Designing and Implementing Strategies to Prevent and Recover from Burnout
Monday, March 4, 2:30 PM–4:00 PM
The demands of research can lead to academic burnout at any career stage, significantly harming both our personal and professional lives. Given the challenges facing scientists in the lab, office, and at home, feelings of dissatisfaction, anxiety, exhaustion, and unproductivity can be difficult to avoid. Exiting and recovering from the burnout cycle can be even more challenging. In this interactive workshop, we will discuss concrete strategies to recognize, prevent, and counteract burnout. The goals of these strategies are to manage stress, promote a sense of well-being, improve efficiency, and to help participants revive their genuine enthusiasm for science.
Panelists:
Vasathi Jayaraman, University of Texas Health Science Center
Kenton Swartz, NINDS, NIH
Eleonora Zakharian, University of Illinois
Speed Networking
Monday, March 4, 2:30 PM–4:00 PM
Career development and networking is important in science, but can be a big time commitment. Here we offer refreshments and the chance to speed network, an exciting way to connect with a large number of biophysicists (including Biophysical Society committee members) in a short amount of time. Mid-career and more experienced scientists could learn how to get more involved in the Society or network for open positions in their labs. Early career scientists could discuss career goals and challenges, get advice on tenure or grant writing, or find out how to gain recognition for their work. Graduate students and postdocs could make contacts to find their next position. After introductions, each person will have short 3-5 minute meetings with consecutive new contacts. During this time you can exchange information and ask questions. When time is up, you select the next person to talk to. By the end of the event, each participant will have had meaningful interactions with over half a dozen colleagues and the opportunity to meet many more. It's that simple!
Space is limited for this event and pre-registration is recommended to ensure a spot. Register today! Pre-registration deadline is February 15, 2019.
Postdoc to Faculty Q&A: Transitions Forum and Luncheon
Tuesday, March 5, 12:00 PM–1:30 PM
This question-and-answer luncheon is designed for postdocs finishing and actively applying for academic faculty positions. Discussion will be led by a panel of new faculty in basic science and/or medical school departments and experienced faculty who have served as department chairs and/or part of faculty search committees. Topics for discussion include how to prepare the curriculum vitae, the interview process, networking, how to negotiate the job offer, and advice for new faculty as they balance research with their department obligations. To reserve a box lunch, you must pre-register. Attendance is limited to the first 60 participants.If you do not register in advance, you are welcome to participate in the discussion on a space-available basis.
Speakers:
John Baensiger, University of Ottawa
Ivy Dick, University of Maryland
Bob Nakamoto, University of Virginia
Janice Robertson, Washington University St. Louis
Kandice Tanner, NIH
Ming-Feng Tsai, University of Colorado
Founding, Establishing, and Maintaining a Research Laboratory at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions
Tuesday, March 5, 12:00 PM–1:30 PM
This session, sponsored by the Education Committee, provides guidance on founding, establishing, and maintaining a research laboratory at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions. Panelists are faculty members at PUI's who have been successful in their positions.
Moderators:
Paul Urayama, Miami University
Elizabeth Yates, United States Naval Academy
Presenters:
Kurt Andresen, Gettysburg College
Kambiz Hamadani, California State University, San Marcos
Jamie Schlessman, United States Naval Academy
Nurturing a More Inclusive STEM Enterprise by Understanding our Biases
Tuesday, March 5, 1:15 PM–2:45 PM
We are all biased. Google’s PeopleAnalytics suggests that we as people can only consciously process about one-millionth of the information that we receive at any moment. Instead, we rely heavily on our unconscious reasoning abilities to make decisions. Even though we scientists are trained to be objective and evidence-based, we, too, use cognitive shortcuts in our everyday interactions. This means we rely on our expectation biases, e.g. what we think we think about categories of people, things, situations. This behavior leads to unconscious errors in decision making that leads to discrimination in science against people who do not meet the stereotypical description of what a scientist looks like. This session will approach the phenomenon of unconscious bias as a science problem by examining the data in this area and by discussing tools that we can all use to nurture a more inclusive scientific enterprise. Attendees are encouraged to learn about their own biases by completing the Project Implicit Gender-Science IAT, Race IAT and Sexuality IAT tests at https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/.
Speaker:
Karen Fleming, Johns Hopkins Unversity
The Nuts and Bolts of Preparing Your NIH Grant
Tuesday, March 5, 1:30 PM–3:00 PM
The National Institutes of Health is the world’s largest funder of fundamental biomedical research. You have likely spent years training and are now ready to apply for a NIH grant. But where do you start?
At this session, program directors and officers with expertise in biophysics will be providing details on the NIH grant-making process as it stands in 2019, with a particular emphasis on grant writing and submission for new and early career investigators.
Session Organizer:
Peter Preusch, Biophysics Branch Chief in the Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences, NIH.
Industry Panel
Tuesday, March 5, 1:30 PM–3:00 PM
Are you interested in pursuing a career in industry? Stop by to hear from a panel of experts who work in bio-related industries. Panelists will discuss how to find, select, and apply for positions in industry, providing attendees with useful information and resources.
Sonia Gregory, GSK Vaccines, Chair
Wayne Harshbarger, GSK Vaccines
Joanna Swain, Cogen Therapeutics
Adam Zwolak, Janssen BioTherapeutics
Angela Ballesteros Morcillo, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS-NIH)
Jeanne Small, Quantum Northwest, Inc.
Meagan Small, U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Dinner Meet-ups
Sunday - Tuesday, 6:00 PM
Local students will be waiting at the Society Booth to meet up with attendees who want to experience the local flavor of Baltimore.