What can we do in this moment when higher education, science, and expertise are all under attack in the United States, with negative consequences on the global scientific enterprise, and ultimately human health? We can find ways to support our community and push back against disinformation and short-sightedness, hopefully mitigating the damage underway. BPS efforts to support our community have included a significant boost to our Bridging Funds program (funded by both Council funds and member contributions), to help members in need to attend the Annual Meeting, and reframing our Strategic Plan to clarify and confirm our ongoing commitment to our values. BPS has also been working hard on advocacy, with a remarkable series of actions summarized on our website (www.biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/stay-informed/government-policy-changes-bps-actions-and-resources). We welcome member involvement in advocacy, for instance in response to each BPS Call to Action, and with new resources available to BPS members now that we are a FASEB affiliate (www.biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/stay-informed/coalition-partners).
There is no question that the cuts and attacks that have already occurred will have lasting impacts on science. So, a third important effort is to plan and start to rebuild, and to take this opportunity to improve how we do science. I propose that one key improvement would be to increase our efforts to teach, practice, and value science communication throughout our careers.
I want to be clear that this call to improve is not meant to malign our current scientific practices. We have not brought the current attacks upon ourselves: they have been systematically orchestrated to achieve political, ideological, or commercial goals. No one is questioning whether we should defer to expertise when we choose who pilots the plane, designs the bridge, or performs open-heart surgery. Certain areas have been targeted, such as climate science and vaccines, because of their importance to a market sector or their value as a cultural wedge issue. This makes it even more important for scientists to share their stories to counteract the false narratives. The more that people understand the value and the process of science, the harder it will be to undermine things like the critical importance of vaccines in the minds of the public.
Two sessions on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the BPS Annual Meeting in San Francisco aim to inspire and empower us to improve our science communication. The President’s Symposium, “Communicating the Value of Biophysics in a Changing World,” will begin with talks from biophysicists who have experience as leaders in various segments of science. Jeremy Berg, former Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, organized the letter of support for the Bethesda Declaration. As editor-in-chief of Science, Holden Thorp frequently speaks and writes in various settings in support of science. Sean Decatur, president of the American Museum of Natural History, strives to communicate the wonder of science to one of the most diverse classrooms we can imagine, with ~5 million annual visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
Following these speakers, we will hear from two more biophysicists who balance their research programs with significant outreach activities. Theanne Griffith, Assistant Professor of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the University of California, Davis, leads a research group investigating mechanisms of proprioception. She also writes science adventure chapter books for children and co-writes a nonfiction companion book series for a Netflix show that addresses the many “Why?” questions posed by the scientists of tomorrow. Daniel Cohen, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University, leads a research group investigating collective cell behaviors involved in healing and growth. He, too, is involved in science storytelling, which he promotes within his lab, in storytelling workshops (including one during Biophysics Week 2025), and through nightclub performances!
Finally, the symposium will conclude with a panel discussion answering questions from the audience. I am very excited about the President’s Symposium as an opportunity for BPS to hear from and engage with this diverse set of speakers in a discussion of how scientists can make a positive difference in these challenging times.
Building on the inspiration and ideas from the symposium, that afternoon the Annual Meeting will feature a Professional Development Workshop, “From Data to Dialogue: Artful Strategies Against Misinformation.” Workshop leaders Shahir Rizk and Maggie Fink have thought a great deal about how to tell stories about science that engage the public, as they recently co-authored the book The Color of North, which tells stories to convey the amazing power of proteins to non-expert readers. Similarly, they have a new podcast, Rust Belt Science, which tells stories about themselves, other scientists, and science broadly, to help to humanize the people and the endeavor. Rizk and Fink will lead this interactive workshop to provide insights and tools that enable all of us to do more and better science communication.
Misguided efforts to undercut science will no doubt continue to distort reality, taking advantage of a change in public health policy or an instance of a reproducibility issue to undermine public trust. Science and medicine are, of course, not perfect, and we should and do strive to continue to improve these human endeavors that, in spite of their limitations, are very clearly our best avenue to understand truth and to maximize our health. So, it is important for everyone, especially scientists, to regularly tell our inspiring stories about the true value of science to humanity.
—Lynmarie K. Thompson, President