Professional Development & Networking

Attending the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting is the richest annual networking and professional development opportunity for researchers in the field of biophysics.  The breadth of research represented by the nearly 6,000 attendees and to the personal interactions that take place are enhanced by the career, education, policy, and social programs scheduled throughout the Meeting.

 Networking Event           Professional Development                    

 Undergraduate Student Lounge

Saturday, February 21–Wednesday, February 25
This space is reserved for undergraduate student meeting attendees looking for a quiet place to focus or catch up on coursework  while at the Annual Meeting.

  Undergraduate Poster Award Competition

Saturday, February 21, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Come meet undergraduates and learn about their research projects. Undergraduates presenting as first or second author on a poster are invited to participate to enhance their presentation skills, receive encouraging feedback, and gain recognition for their hard work in a supportive environment. 

The 10 students with the best overall presentations will be awarded $100 and will be recognized during the 2026 Biophysical Society Lecture and Awards Ceremony. These students will be selected based on the quality and scientific merit of their research, knowledge of the research problem, contribution to the project, and overall presentation of the poster.

For more information on competing and to register, click here. Registration Deadline has passed.

  First-Time Attendee Networking

Saturday, February 21, 5:00 PM–6:00 PM
Is this your first time attending a Biophysical Society Annual Meeting? Wondering what to do first and how to get the most out of your time? Drop by this First-Time Attendee Networking event on Saturday evening during the Opening Mixer to learn how to navigate the meeting. Society staff and committee members will be on hand to answer your questions about the meeting and help you gain the most from your time at the BPS 2026 Annual Meeting. View our guide to learn to navigate the meeting before you go.

 Opening Mixer

Saturday, February 21, 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
All registered attendees are welcome to attend this reception. Cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

 Travel Awardee Reception

Saturday, February 21, 6:00 PM–7:00 PM
During this reception, students, postdocs, and early and mid-career scientists will receive their travel awards and network with their fellow travel awardees and members of the Education, Early Careers, Inclusion and Diversity, Membership, and Professional Opportunities for Women Committees.

  Education & Career Opportunities Fair

Sunday, February 22, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
This fair will provide opportunities for candidates to meet with representatives from educational institutions, 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 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 register online no later than January 9, 2026, and submit the registration fee in advance.  All those attending the Annual Meeting are encouraged to attend.  Please contact the Society at [email protected] with questions. Register here.

 Teaching Science Like We Do Science

Sunday, February 22, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models are rapidly transforming how we do science and how we teach students. This year’s session of Teaching Science As We Do Science will focus on incorporating Artificial Intelligence Tools into the teaching of biophysics. We will work with you though an interactive, hands-on workshop to design and quickly test an exercise suitable for your own classroom environment, regardless of the type of institution at which you teach, or the level of your students - first-year freshman to advanced doctoral students. The internet changed how we accessed information. LLMs will now change how we think about what experiments to run and how to execute them in the lab. If we don’t teach our students to use these tools widely and effectively, we be will doing them a major disservice. Come share with others what you have already tried (if anything), and practice how to become even more effective at this in your own classroom.
Monderators:
Andrew Feig, Research Corporation for Science Advancement, USA
Rita Sharp, University of Houston, USA

 Student Research Achievement Award (SRAA) Poster Competition

Sunday, February 22, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
This session features graduate, masters, and PhD students who are presenting posters at the Annual Meeting. During the competition, students will give a five-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, February 23, 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.
Moderators:
Thayaparan Paramanathan, Bridgewater State University, USA
Angela Greenman, The University of Arizona, USA
Charlotte Smith, University of California, Davis, USA
Speakers:
Sarah Smaga, National Science Foundation, USA

 Meet the Editors - Biophysical Journal, Biophysical Reports, and The Biophysicist

Monday, February 23, 10:15 AM–11:15 AM
Take this opportunity to meet editors of all three of the Society's prestigious journals! The Editors-in Chief, members of the Editorial Boards, and BPS staff will be available to answer your questions about what areas of research the journals cover, how to give your paper the best chance of being accepted, the submission process, special issues, and anything else related to BPS journals.

 New Member Welcome Coffee

Monday, February 23, 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 Committees, 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, February 23, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Join BPS Student Chapters from all over the world for a networking session. Attendees will meet Student Chapter officers and representatives and learn about each chapter. This session aims to establish chapter interactions, communications, and planning for future Student Chapter Annual Meeting sessions.

 From PhD to Policy Wonk: Exploring Careers Outside Academia and Industry

Monday, February 23, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
Join a panel hosted by the Public Affairs Committee as we explore the impact of legislative efforts affecting scientific research. New generations of biophysicists are exploring career pathways outside of the lab by using their expertise to impact science and health policy on the state and federal levels. Join the Public Affairs Committee for a panel discussaion by current and former BPS Congressional Fellows and learn more about how they have used their PhD to impact policy, both during and after their fellowships, and if this might be the path for you
Panelists:
Sarah Smaga, BPS Congressional Fellow, Office of Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), USA
Clarissa Bhargava, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, USA
Jessica Wu, FutureHouse, USA

 Biophysics 101

Monday, February 23, 1:30 PM–3:00 PM 
Biophysics 101 is an opportunity to learn about hot topics in biophysics from experts in the field! This year, we're covering some of the exciting new applications of Artificial Intelligence in biophysics. You'll hear from two speakers at the forefront of this research and have the opportunity to ask them questions about the implications that it could have in the future.
Moderators:
Teun Huijben, Biohub, USA
Bharath Ramsundar, Deep Forest Sciences, USA
Speakers To Be Announced

 NSF-NCEMS Beginner Hands-On Training: Four Data Science Techniques to Immediately Accelerate your Research

Monday, February 23, 1:30 PM–3:30 PM 
Are you eager to accelerate your work through data science and interpretable machine learning, but unsure where to begin? This beginner-friendly training session is your gateway to utilizing these powerful tools without needing any prior coding experience or software setup. Hosted by the NSF National Center for Emergence in Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS), this hands-on session will equip you with the skills to harness the four most widely used data science techniques. You will learn how to calculate the association between a feature and a phenomenon; identify key features driving biological behaviors; control for confounding factors; and avoid common pitfalls like data overinterpretation. In addition, you will learn how to state your results in plain English. Through interactive Jupyter notebook exercises, we will dive into the theory and scope of these methods and guide you in interpreting their outputs. By the end of the session, you’ll have the chance to apply these techniques directly to your own datasets, empowering you to make more informed, impactful discoveries in your research. This training is designed specifically to benefit biophysicists, offering practical, easy-to-use methods that can be broadly applied across the field. This training session is now fully booked and closed to new applicants. We hope you'll join us next time!​
Trainers:
Daniel Nissley, Pennsylvania State University (NCEMS), USA
Ian Sitarik, Pennsylvania State University (NCEMS), USA
Maowei Dong, Pennsylvania State University (NCEMS), USA

 Steps and Suggestions for Getting Your Scientific Paper Published

Monday, February 23, 2:30 PM–4:00 PM 
This workshop focuses on practical strategies for successfully publishing scientific research. Key aspects of the publication process, including preparing the manuscript, submitting the paper, responding to reviewers, dealing with rejection, and managing publication costs will be discussed via a short presentation, followed by a panel discussion by experienced editors and senior researchers. This session will offer tips and suggestions for all levels of experience from those who are planning their first manuscript to those who have published many.

  JUST-B Poster Session

The JUST-B Poster Session celebrates the achievements of students, postdocs, and early career researchers in the field of biophysics. The poster session will promote the research endeavors of trainees, offer support through networking opportunities, and serve as a recruitment venue for future graduate students, postdocs, faculty, staff scientists, journal editors, or any other career within biophysics. The goal of this program is to remove barriers to participation and ensure that all students and trainees, including those who are underrepresented in biophysics, have equal access to advancement opportunities and community support. Students, postdocs, and early career researchers who wish to present posters during the session must submit an application and be an author on a poster being presented at the Annual Meeting, with an abstract submitted by the late abstract deadline of January 6, 2026.

 Speed Networking

Monday, February 23, 4:30 PM–6:00 PM
Career development and networking are 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, you’ll rotate through a series of 5-minute conversations, enough time to exchange information, ask questions, and then move on to the next person. By the end, you’ll have made meaningful connections with many colleagues. It's that simple! Space is limited for this event and pre-registration is recommended to ensure a spot. Registration will open soon.

 Training Undergraduates in the Research Laboratory

Tuesday, February 24, 12:00 PM–1:30 PM
Get 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 and will share their experiences and answer your questions.
Moderators:
Hannah Malcolm, University of North Florida, USA
Andrew Feig, Research Corporation for Science Advancement, USA
Speakers:
Ashley Carter, Amherst College, USA

 Careers Beyond the Bench: Moving to a World Outside the Lab

Tuesday, February 24, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
Have you started thinking about your next career step? Are you wondering if you can apply your academic skills in industry? Or what skills outside of academia you may bring to the lab? Join us to explore career options in consulting, industry, and academia. Panelists with science backgrounds, now involved in a wide variety of careers, will share their personal experiences and answer questions from the audience.
Moderators:
Surl-Hee Ahn, University of California, Davis, USA
Tugba Ozturk, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA
Speakers:
Jin Qian, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA
Soojin Kim, Genentech, USA  
Olive Burata, Nanion Technologies, USA

 Inside NIH: Explore Biophysics Grant Opportunities in Key Institutes

Tuesday, February 24, 1:30 PM–3:30 PM
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), with its 27 Institutes and Centers, can cause researchers moments of pause as they navigate where their research is best applied. While each Institute and Center has its own distinct focus of research, there is a considerable amount of overlap and coordination that does occur – particularly in biophysics research. Join the Public Affairs Committee for a panel session with Program Directors from the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the National Institute on General Medical Science (NIGMS).
Panelists:
George Umanah, National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), USA
Eric Johnson, National Cancer Institute (NCI), USA
Veronica Taylor, National Institute on General Medical Science (NIGMS), USA

 NSF-NCEMS Intermediate Hands-On Training: Data Science Tools for Confidence, Complexity, and LLMs in Biophysical Research

Tuesday, February 24, 1:30 PM–3:30 PM
Ready to deepen your data science skills and tackle more complex biological datasets? This intermediate-level training, presented by the NSF National Center for Emergence in Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS), builds on our popular beginner session and introduces three powerful techniques to help biophysicists make sense of messy, ambiguous, or incomplete data. You will learn how to apply bootstrapping to calculate confidence intervals without relying on assumptions of normality, ideal for biological data that defy textbook statistics. Next, we’ll explore how to use encoder-decoder methods to perform batch corrections for transcriptomics data to generate harmonized, analysis-ready embeddings. Finally, you’ll get hands-on experience using natural language processing with pre-trained Large Language Models (LLMs) to extract key metadata from text, a critical step in managing and integrating large public datasets. Through live Jupyter notebook exercises and guided interpretations, you’ll see how these methods can boost the rigor, sensitivity, and reproducibility of your analyses. The session is designed for biophysicists with some prior exposure to basic data science or machine learning; our beginner session is a great place to start!
Trainers:
Maowei Dong, Pennsylvania State University (NCEMS), USA
Alexis Morrissey, Pennsylvania State University (NCEMS), USA
Daniel Nissley, Pennsylvania State University (NCEMS), USA
Ian Sitarik, Pennsylvania State University (NCEMS), USA

 A Conversation with Lewis Kay: Navigating a Career in Science

Tuesday, February 24, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
Join 2026 BPS Lecturer Lewis Kay on Tuesday afternoon for an informal and inspiring discussion. In this special “fireside chat,” Dr. Kay will share insights from his career in science—from pioneering discoveries to lessons learned along the way—and reflect on how the field continues to evolve. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with Dr. Kay on topics such as choosing research directions, balancing career demands, fostering collaboration, and overcoming challenges in science.
Whether you’re exploring your next steps in your career or seeking perspective from one of the field’s most respected leaders, this is a rare chance to gain guidance and motivation in a relaxed, conversational setting. 

 Inside Perspectives and Opportunities: NSF Grants

Tuesday, February 24, 3:30 PM–5:00 PM
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is one of the largest federal funders of biophysical research each year alongside the National Institutes of Health. Through the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, scientists continue to advance basic and biomedical research. Join us for an insider's perspective on the various divisions offering grant funding within NSF and learn how to put together a strong grant application. This session is a great opportunity for new and early career investigators.
Panelists:
Wilson Francisco, National Science Foundation, USA
Marcia Newcomer, National Science Foundation, USA

 Dinner Meet-ups

Sunday, February 22 - Tuesday, February 24, 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 San Francisco. 

In addition to the general Dinner Meet-Up groups, there will be specific meet-ups for different groups and focus topics:

• Sunday, February 22 – General; Policy & Advocacy
• Monday, February 23 – General; Black in Biophysics; Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUI)
• Tuesday, February 24 – General; Networking for Nerds

Additional groups may be added, and dates may be subject to change. Check the app for the latest information.
Attendees are responsible for covering their individual expenses.

 One-on-One with a Mentor

The One-on-One with a Mentor program aims to connect members with mentors at the Annual Meeting. New this year, we are expanding the program to include Peer-to-Peer Mentoring to connect members at similar career stages. This year, we've also added additional matching options to enhance the program and provide more personalized connections. This is a first-come, first served program, and we will do our best to match pairs based on your application and membership details, such as Subgroup membership, areas of research, and techniques. We may not be able to meet all requested preferences. This program is open to all members who are attending the Annual Meeting, but sign-up is required by December 31.

Mentor/Mentee Expectations:

1. Mentors and mentees will connect prior to the meeting to introduce themselves. BPS will share the contact details with mentor and mentee pairs.

2. Mentors and mentees should agree on a place and time to meet in-person early in the meeting.

3. Mentees should prepare a few questions for their mentor, to help guide the meeting. In addtion, mentors can share strategies to make the most out of attending the meeting.

4. Some mentors and mentees may decide to stay in contact after the meeting, but this is not an expectation.

5. All mentors and mentees are expected to read and adhere to the BPS Code of Conduct.