Reflecting on science, learning and leadership

As scientists, we use the scientific method every day to question, test and refine our understanding of the world. We form hypotheses, gather evidence and revise our conclusions as new data come to light. Discovery is built on curiosity and persistence, but also the humility to recognize that there’s always more to learn.

Our community exemplifies this dedication to learning and applying learning at so many levels. Our members work across academia, industry, government, and beyond, applying knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology to address fundamental scientific questions that drive real-world impact.

Beyond our own research, part of our role as scientists is to enable and empower others to learn. Nearly all of us shape the next generation of leaders by serving as educators, guides and mentors at some point in our careers. Many in our community also take on the vital work of educating the next generation as a central part of their careers, striding across deeply connected worlds as scientist-educators. Effective STEM higher education cultivates critical thinking, resilience and the ability to evaluate evidence. It prepares future scientists to pursue scientific excellence with purpose and rigor. Recognizing this important work, this issue of ASBMB Today focuses on the science of learning and features reflections on teaching, innovative pedagogical practices, and the biochemistry behind learning. Rigorous science depends on strong higher education.

I would also like to take this opportunity to reflect on my time as president. In July, I will hand over the reins of the society to our president-elect, Ed Eisenstein, and step into my role as past president. My term has coincided with a time of tremendous progress at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology alongside the unprecedented period for science and scientists.

Through it all, I have witnessed the extraordinary resilience of this community and reflect with pride on what we’ve achieved. We strengthened our advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. We continued to publish rigorous, high-impact science in our journals and will also add Insights in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to our family of journals. We supported early-career scientists, elevated member voices and reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that biochemistry and molecular biology remain essential tools for discovery across disciplines. And we are building a pathway for a vibrant future to ASBMB with the society’s strategic plan and emerging new programming.

I am deeply proud of how ASBMB members have come together to support one another, advance science and uphold the values that sustain the scientific enterprise. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this remarkable community. I am confident that under Ed’s leadership, our society will continue to evolve, thrive and lead.