The Biophysical Society Annual Meeting provides boundless opportunities to learn about cutting-edge advances from within and outside your field of study, meet scientists from around the world, experience presenting research, access to career development sessions to prepare for your career, and enhance your communication and networking skills. Your opportunities are endless!
Undergraduate Student Lounge
Saturday, March 2–Wednesday, March 6
Need a place to relax or catch up on coursework while at the Annual Meeting? The Undergraduate Student Lounge is just the place to go.
Undergraduate Mixer & Undergraduate Poster Award Competition
Saturday, March 2, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM
If you’re an undergraduate student, plan on attending this social and scientific mixer! Come meet other undergraduates and learn about their research projects. For undergraduate students who will be presenting during the standard scientific sessions, the mixer provides an opportunity to hone presentation skills before the general poster session begin. Click here for more information and how to register for the competition.
Undergraduate Student Pizza "Breakfast"
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.
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.
Education & Career Opportunities Fair
Sunday, March 3, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
This fair will provide the 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.
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. Pre-registration is required. For more information click here.
Dinner Meet-ups
Each evening, Sunday–Tuesday, at 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.
Graduate Student Breakfast
Monday, March 4, 7:30 AM–8:30 AM
This breakfast presents an opportunity for graduate students to meet and discuss the issues they face in their current career stage.
Industry Panel
Monday, March 4, 1:00 PM–2:30 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 industry internships, providing attendees with useful tools and resources.
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.