Those who care and engage

In her essay about being named a fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Susanna Greer writes about her journey “from ‘ASBMB member’ to ‘ASBMB member who actually engages deeply with, and cares about, the ASBMB.’”

Greer’s is one of five essays by 2022 fellows in this issue illustrating many of the ways members can engage deeply with this society.

Both Paul Craig and Nathan Vanderford have served on the Education and Professional Development Committee. Craig has volunteered with the undergraduate poster competition and is a member of this magazine’s editorial advisory board. Vanderford has served twice on an annual meeting planning committee.

Alex Toker is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Biological Chemistry after spending years reviewing countless submissions as an editorial board member and associate editor.

Greer spent six years on the Science Outreach and Communication Committee and helped design the society’s The Art of Science Communication course.

Ralph Bradshaw, an ASBMB member since 1971, has served on numerous committees and as the society’s treasurer, was the first editor of the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, and co-wrote the ASBMB history book published to mark the society’s centennial.

Also in the May issue of ASBMB Today: short profiles of the newest class of fellows. They’ve worked on public affairs, membership, diversity and more.

And if the masculine-sounding term “fellows” gives you pause, let me reassure you. According to something called the Online Entymology Dictionary, “fellow” is derived from an Old English word for “partner, one who shares with another,” an Old Norse word for money, and a Proto-Germanic root meaning “to lie down, lay.” Thus the etymological sense seems to be “one who puts down money with another in a joint venture.” This source assures us it is “not etymologically masculine.”

I really like that bit about a joint venture. It’s not just about hanging around together; it’s about engaging with others and moving together into the unknown.

That’s why it’s such an appropriate word for ASBMB fellows.