Bylaws

The Lipid Research Division (LRD) is a division of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The LRD represents lipid research scientists of the society and addresses concerns that include, but are not limited to, national and international visibility, representation at the annual meeting and on scientific advisory panels, and increased funding for lipid research. Additionally, the LRD serves as a platform within ASBMB to highlight progress in lipid research and to foster communication among lipid researchers and between lipid researchers and the broader ASBMB membership.

Director(s)

The LRD is headed by a director or by two co-directors who shall be selected following an election by the LRD membership for a three-year term renewable for a second term. Candidates for the election will be selected by the LRD steering committee following suggestions from the LRD membership. She/he/they are responsible for general leadership of the division, liaison with society leadership, ASBMB journals, and other ASBMB divisions as outlined below.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee consisting of up to 10 members are appointed by the LRD director(s) for a three-year term renewable for a second term. The goal of the committee is to represent diverse research areas within the LRD membership. The committee is responsible for the general direction of the LRD in consultation with the LRD Director(s) and assistance on projects identified by the LRD Director(s).

Meetings

The LRD (Director(s) and Steering Committee) holds a formal meeting during the ASBMB annual meeting. The director or one co-director and a majority of Steering Committee members is required to vote on actionable items. When necessary, meetings will be held via electronic communication.

Membership

Membership in the LRD is open to all members of the ASBMB. Membership is also open to lipid researchers who are not members of the ASBMB, but they are encouraged to join. The application is found on the LRD web page.

Membership Director

The membership director is appointed by the LRD director(s). She/he is responsible for membership recruitment. She/he is the liaison with program directors and scientific research officers of the NIH, NSF, and USDA for appointment of LRD members to scientific advisory panels.

Annual Meeting Theme/Symposium

The LRD is responsible for the organization of a lipid representation, such as a theme/symposium, at the ASBMB annual meeting. The organizers are appointed by the LRD Director(s) in consultation with the Steering Committee.

Awards Committee

The LRD Awards Committee is responsible for the selection of the ASBMB Avanti Award in Lipids and the ASBMB Walter A. Shaw Young Investigator Award. The Avanti Award in Lipids recognizes outstanding research contributions in the area of lipids. The award consists of a plaque, $3,000 and expenses, and transportation to present a lecture at the ASBMB annual meeting. The Walter A. Shaw Young Investigator Award in Lipid Research recognizes outstanding research contributions in the area of lipids by a young investigator who is an assistant professor or equivalent and with no more than 10 years of experience since receiving a Ph.D. and/or M.D. The award consists of a plaque, $2,000 and travel expenses to present a lecture at the ASBMB annual meeting. Both nominees and nominators of these awards must be ASBMB members.

The LRD Awards Committee consists of 6 members: the LRD Director(s) and 4 to 5 members of the Steering Committee that are appointed by the Director(s). Committee members serve 3-year non-renewable terms. The Awards Committee is also responsible for reviewing and revising rubrics used for evaluating nominees. A virtual meeting of the LRD Awards Committee will be held to discuss finalists and select recipients of both awards. The names of the selected awardees will be provided to the ASBMB Awards Committee. The Director(s) or designate (who may be the nominator) is responsible for the introduction of the recipients of both awards at the ASBMB Annual Meeting.

Conflict of interest: Members of the LRD Awards Committee cannot serve as nominators or provide letters of support for nominees for either award during their terms of service. They must recuse themselves from scoring and discussing any nominees from their own institution, former students, former postdoctoral fellows/associates, or visiting scholars, collaborators/co-authors in the past ten years. A conflict of interest for one nominee, does not preclude participation in evaluating other nominees.

ASBMB Today/Lipid News

The LRD provides a feature article of interest to ASBMB membership in the ASBMB Today monthly publication. Feature articles are solicited by and edited by a member of the Steering Committee appointed by the Director(s).

LRD seminar series

The LRD seminar series on Lipids and Lipid Signaling offers graduate students, postdocs, and junior faculty an opportunity to present their work via a webinar format. The seminars are organized by a committee of young scientists that are chosen by the director(s) of the LRD and the ASBMB staff; they are held on a regular schedule.

Webpage

The LRD maintains a website that features research highlights, member spotlights (e.g., awards and honors), calendar of meetings, conferences, and webinars, job postings, funding opportunities, and technical resources. The site is maintained by ASBMB staff.

Social media

The LRD maintains Facebook and Twitter accounts to engage members on social media. The accounts and membership are maintained by the director(s) and ASBMB staff.

These bylaws may be amended upon approval by the majority of the Steering Committee and Director(s).