Each year at the Annual Meeting, we invite a group of attendees to share their experiences and perspectives on the Society's blog. Read about this year's crop of bloggers below, and then follow their adventures here on the blog throughout the meeting. 

 

I am Shruti Arya, a Senior Scientist at Acelot Inc., where I apply a multidisciplinary approach combining protein biophysics, biochemistry, and cellular biology to develop small-molecule therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to translating scientific innovation into meaningful discoveries with the potential to bring life-changing therapies to patients. My scientific journey began at the University of Delhi, where studying Organic Chemistry sparked a fascination with how amino acids assemble into functional proteins and how subtle changes can tip the balance from normal function to pathology. This curiosity led me to pursue a PhD in biophysics at IISER Mohali focused on intrinsically disordered proteins and protein aggregation. I later further expanded my scientific repertoire with specialized training in biophysics at UC Santa Barbara and cellular biology at UC San Francisco. Now, my work has come full circle as I focus on small molecules again, this time as potential therapeutics to modulate protein behavior in disease. Having trained in both India and the U.S., I value the global nature of our scientific community and look forward to capturing the breakthroughs, diverse perspectives, and vibrant energy of #BPS2026 here in the Bay Area!

 

I'm Jackie Acres. This my first time attending the BPS Annual Meeting and I'm excited to dive into it! My path to biophysics has been circuitous. My MS work involved coding a numerical meshless method to analyze blood flow in the heart. For my doctoral work, I studied microbial motility and chemotaxis after simulated microgravity using digital holographic microscopy. 

I'm currently working as a visiting assistant professor at Whitman College where I've enjoyed the opportunity to teach biophysics. In the time outside of work, I enjoy running, reading, and video games such as SWTOR. 

 

My name is L. América Chi. I am a Molecular Modeler with a passion for both science and writing, and a deep commitment to family. As a first-generation STEM postdoc from a Latin-Mayan background, I hold a degree in Physics Engineering and a Master’s in Polymeric Biomaterials. I completed my Doctorate in Applied Physics with a specialization in physical chemistry. My academic journey includes two postdoctoral positions, initially at the National Polytechnic Institute in México, and more recently at the Physics department of the University of Idaho in the USA.

 

My name is Ximena Garcia Arceo. I majored in physics at UCSB and researched microtubule stability in the Safinya group at the Materials Research Laboratory. Then I joined the Brian Zid lab at UCSD where received my PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (even though the only word that applies to me or my work is 'and'). While attending BPS in San Francisco in 2022, I fell in love with the city and decided to search for a postdoc position in the area. I was lucky enough to land in the Wallace Marshall lab at UC San Francisco. I hope you enjoy this conference and this city as much as I do. As a BPS blogger, I look forward to sharing recommendations for food and fun with out-of-town attendees and learning more about the scientists doing the great science on display at BPS 2026. And like any other BPS attendee, I am excited to catch up with friends and hear what they have been up to all year.

 

Hello! I am Akanksha Gurtu, a Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Fernanda Laezza’s laboratory at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Our laboratory focuses on identifying and pharmacologically targeting protein-protein interactions of voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs). My project centers on the structural and functional characterization of Nav1.6, with the goal  of pharmacologically targeting the protein-protein interactions that drive neuronal network hyperexcitability using small-molecules. This will be my third year attending the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting and I am honored to be participating as a blogger this time. My first two experiences have been incredibly rewarding, and I am looking forward to another scientifically enriching annual meeting. See you in San Francisco!

 

I am Dr. Mst. Rubaya Rashid, a postdoctoral researcher at Texas Southern University. I work in biophysics, with a background in physical chemistry. My research explores how molecular motors and immune cells respond to physical and chemical signals, from force generation in microtubule swarms to live-cell imaging of B cells and macrophages exposed to low-dose radiation. I use imaging, force-based experiments, and computational analysis in my work. At the BPS 70th Annual Meeting, I look forward to sharing highlights from scientific sessions, interdisciplinary discussions, and the everyday experiences that make conferences exciting and memorable.

 

I am Douglas Walker, a Research Associate at Oregon State University working at the intersection of biophysics and computational modeling. My work explores protein interactions and how modern structure prediction tools can be thoughtfully interpreted in biological context. I enjoy stepping back from individual results to identify broader patterns and themes across the field, and look forward to reflecting on the science and career conversations emerging at this year’s BPS meeting.