The purpose of the Theory and Computation Subgroup is to better highlight and network biophysicists who are interested in theoretical and computational aspects of biophysical systems, to provide a scientific forum for mini-symposia before Biophysical Society (BPS) meetings, to elevate the visibility and importance of theory and simulation within BPS overall, and to attract new members to BPS in this area.
The role of theory and computation in biophysical research has grown enormously over the past 50 years. Much of this growth has occurred in the area of all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Likewise, the role of physics-based analytical theory continues to be central to our understanding of biophysical systems. In recent years there has been dramatic growth in related and new computational areas, such as free energy sampling, coarse-graining, QM/MM, ligand docking, multiscale modeling, knowledge and data driven computational biology, and most recently in the explosive growth of machine learning methods that may well fundamentally influence significant segments of biophysical science. Indeed, we have reached a point in time where the strongest papers and grant proposals have both experimental and theoretical/computational elements to them.
We welcome all theoretical and computational approaches for the study of biophysical systems, including (but not limited to) analytical theory and those computational methods mentioned above – all with a strong connection to experimental biophysical research to the extent possible.
In order to join the Theory & Computation Subgroup, you must be a member of the Society.
Theory and Computation Subgroup Bylaws
Article I
Purpose: The purpose of the Theory and Computation Subgroup is to better highlight and network biophysicists who are interested in theoretical and computational aspects of biophysical systems, to provide a scientific forum for mini-symposia before BPS meetings, to elevate the visibility and importance of theory and simulation within the BPS overall, and to attract new members to the BPS in this area. We welcome all theoretical and computational approaches for the study of biophysical systems, including (and not limited to) analytical theory, atomistic simulations, multiscale modeling, coarse-graining, data-based computational biology, and machine learning approaches – all with a strong connection where possible to experimental biophysical research.
Article II
Membership: Members of the Biophysical Society may join Theory and Computation; non-members of the Biophysical Society are welcome to attend Theory and Computation symposia but are unable to join the Subgroup, serve as Officers of the Subgroup, or vote.
Article III
Meetings: Business meetings of the Subgroup membership shall be held in connection with or in close proximity to the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Biophysical Society. If any matters come up that require a vote at any time of year, Subgroup members can transact Subgroup business by a virtual vote. For virtual votes, decisions shall be made by two-thirds of the Subgroup members voting on the measure.
Article IV
Officers: The Officers of the Subgroup will consist of a Chair, a Chair-Elect, the Past Chair, a Secretary-Treasurer, an Outreach Coordinator, and five Executive Council Members. The Chair-elect shall serve one year as such followed by one year as Chair, then serve one year as Past Chair. The Chair-Elect, in consultation with the Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, and other members of the Executive Committee, shall serve as Program Chair in the year before becoming Chair. The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve for a term of two years. The Outreach Coordinator shall serve a term of one year. The Executive Council Members shall serve for three years, and the five members shall have their start dates staggered to provide continuity from year to year. These positions have the following responsibilities:
Chair, Chair-Elect, & Past Chair: As Chair, will organize and conduct the annual Subgroup meeting; apprising the Biophysical Society of the activities and needs of the Subgroup; advising the Society on matters related to the Subgroup; promoting and overseeing the Student Research Achievement Award (SRAA) competition; communicating with the Society concerning meeting plans and public communications (flyers, announcements, newsletter reports, etc.); and participating in activities that benefit the Subgroup and Society. Responsible for the Subgroup meeting all deadlines established by the Subgroup Manager and monitoring all efforts that contribute to the Subgroup Report Card. The past chair will help provide continuity, offer advice, and assist in the work of the executive committee. The Chair-Elect will provide advice and support by executing tasks delegated by the Chair and by serving as Program Chair.
Secretary-Treasurer: Will work with the Society to manage Subgroup membership, budgets, keep up to date with financial information and sponsorships, and will work with the Chair to carry out necessary correspondence and other organizational tasks.
Outreach Coordinator: Will work with the Executive Council Members to organize the social event on Subgroup Saturday; a virtual event during Biophysics Week; and work with Chair & Secretary-Treasurer to communicate with the membership through the Subgroup Forum. This officer can also organize (virtual) workshops during the year that target professional development of our members or other initiatives to broaden the audience for Biophysics Research.
Executive Council Members: Will serve on the executive committee which is responsible for the fulfillment of the scientific and business obligations of the group. Will assist in the general tasks of the Subgroup and will contribute the perspective of their peers on topics related to Subgroup membership.
Article V
Eligibility for Office: Only members of Theory and Computation Subgroup may be elected to Subgroup leadership positions. If an elected officer does not become a member prior to the Annual Meeting where they would be taking office, the second runner-up candidate shall assume the position instead. The runner up must also be a BPS member and a member of the Subgroup in order to assume office. In order to serve as a regular Subgroup Officer, the member must be a Regular, Emeritus, or Early Career member of BPS. Graduate students/Postdocs can only serve if the Subgroup has a designated trainee position, in which case the position title will reflect the career stage of eligible members. Members may not be elected to the same position in the Subgroup more than once every five years.
Article VI
Elections: Elections must be held and concluded electronically two weeks prior to the Subgroup’s Business Meeting. The candidate for each office receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. In the case of a tie, the deadline will be extended for an extra three days. If the tie remains after three days, BPS staff will send out a new ballot with just the tied candidates to break the tie.The results will be announced to the Subgroup’s membership during the Subgroup’s Business Meeting. Officers will take office at the end of the Annual Business Meeting held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society. Interim vacancies in officers or councilors will be filled in accordance with By-Law Article XVIII of the Biophysical Society.
Article VII
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee will be responsible for fulfilling the scientific and business obligations of the group. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair, Chair-Elect, Past-Chair, and Executive Council Members elected by the Subgroup Membership . The affairs of the Subgroup shall be handled by the Officers in accordance with the policies determined by the Executive Committee and the Biophysical Society Council.
Article VIII
Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee is responsible for soliciting nominations from Subgroup membership and for preparing the final slate of candidates. The members of the Executive Committee shall constitute the Nominating Committee. Nominations can come from anyone, with self-nominations also permitted. Nominations will be received electronically no later than one month prior to the Subgroup’s Business Meeting. Nominees must accept their nomination prior to being placed on a ballot.
Article IX
Awards Committee: The Awards Committee will be responsible for inviting nominations from all Subgroup members and selecting awardees based on the established eligibility criteria, nomination packets, and judging rubric. This committee will include current elected officers. If any of these have a conflict of interest with the Award nominees or sponsors, the Chair may appoint Subgroup members to serve in their place on the Awards Committee.
Each year, the Committee must review and confirm award eligibility requirements and the rubric with BPS staff. While the primary selection criteria will focus on scientific excellence, the committee is also responsible for ensuring that the candidate pool gives meaningful access to underrepresented individuals and groups of the Biophysical Society.
Committee members must verify there are no conflicts of interest with nominees or award sponsors in a given year.
Article X
Dissolution: The Theory and Computation Subgroup must operate in accordance with the Biophysical Society’s constitution and bylaws, mission, values, goals, and operational guidelines. If not, the group will be placed on probation and may be dissolved at the discretion of the Council of the Biophysical Society.
Article XI
Amendments to the Bylaws: Amendments can be proposed by any member of the Theory and Computation Subgroup, approved by a two-thirds majority of the Subgroup’s Executive Committee, and be ratified in an electronic ballot by a majority of the members of the group voting.