Come together

It’s hard to believe the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting is only a few months away. It’s even harder to believe it’s been so long since our community last met in person. The annual meeting in April in Philadelphia promises to be special, and I hope every single member of the society will seriously consider attending.

You might have heard that #ASBMB2022 will be the last time the society meets with Experimental Biology. Yes, after many years of cooperation and coordination, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and its sister societies are parting ways in 2023. So if you enjoy interacting with colleagues studying physiology, pharmacology, pathology and anatomy in one place — you won’t want to miss this event: April 2-5 in Philadelphia!

I’ve been to many ASBMB meetings over the years, and it’s hard to say which parts I enjoy most because there are so many.

As president, I value having the opportunity to interact with the people who elected me — and who are driving our field forward. Whether those interactions are at the ASBMB booth, during a reception or even just in passing, they inform my decision-making and seed new initiatives that serve our members.

As a scientist, I am inspired by the discoveries presented at the lectures, in workshops and at posters. I am continually impressed by the tireless pursuit of answers to difficult questions and the creative problem-solving by our community. Hearing how others have overcome scientific and personal challenges reminds me that we are not alone in our endeavors. I am particularly excited about the 2022 ASBMB award lecturers.

As a lab leader, I look forward to meeting the talented students and postdoctoral fellows who will propel our research forward. Hands down, the ASBMB annual meeting is the event at which to recruit talent! You can feel the buzz of possibility on the exhibit floor during the poster sessions. And the annual undergraduate poster competition is phenomenal. I hope you’ll encourage your students to submit abstracts and apply for ASBMB travel awards  to help cover the expense.

I know that we’re living in a time of great uncertainty, and some of you might be reasonably apprehensive about attending a large in-person meeting as the COVID-19 pandemic persists. I want to assure you that the ASBMB and its sister societies are prioritizing your health and safety. All attendees will be required to provide proof of vaccination. The organizers will make a final ruling about masks closer to the meeting date and in accordance with federal, state, local and venue guidelines.

Finally, I want to thank the meeting co-chairs — Vahe Bandarian of the University of Utah and Martha S. Cyert of Stanford University — and the entire program planning committee for the immense amount of work they’ve put into this important event.

In their formal invitation last month, Vahe and Martha quite succinctly encapsulated why we are compelled to gather: “Scientists are not accustomed to the spotlight, but meetings made us feel like stars, if only briefly.” So true!

I hope to see you all in Philadelphia. It’s your time to shine, and your community will be there to cheer you on.