On June 29, 2023, Prof. Carmen Chifiriuc, Vice-Rector for Research of the University of Bucharest, met Prof. Gabriela Popescu, from the University of Buffalo, President Elect of the Biophysical Society, and Prof. Ana-Nicoleta Bondar, from the Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, Biophysical Society Ambassador for Romania (2023-2025), to explore and identify directions of development and support, between the University of Bucharest and the Biophysical Society, for biophysics at the University of Bucharest (UB) and, more generally, in Romania. Accordingly, several concrete strategies in this direction were brought into discussion.
Modern biophysics, as a highly interdisciplinary field of research and teaching, brings together biology, physics, and computer science. As a recognition of the challenges that young students pursuing studies and research in biophysics might face, during the discussions the initiative was taken to create at the University of Bucharest, starting with the 2023-2024 calendar year, the Maria and Petre T. Frangopol Award for outstanding undergraduate theses in interdisciplinary life sciences. Details for the application procedure for this award will be published on the biophysics section of ICUB, whose initiation was agreed upon during this meeting.
The UB provides support for organizing scientific meetings at its Sinaia Research Station. Under the umbrella of the Biophysical Society, networking events and more extended scientific meetings are planned, whose aim is to foster international networking, mentoring, and collaborations in biophysics. In particular, the University of Bucharest encourages and supports the participation of UB colleagues to thematic and annual meetings, and contributions as authors and reviewers of the Biophysical Society publications.
The recently awarded PNRR program for the Development of the Regional Center for Orientation in Scientific Careers further provides the platform to support young biophysicists for study and training. A key interest expressed during the discussions is to initiate undergraduate biophysics studies offered in common by the Faculties of Physics and Biology, which may eventually lead to a common graduate course at the University of Bucharest.
Dr. Gabriela Popescu is a leading expert in molecular neuroscience. She studies the activation and modulation of NMDA receptors. Dr. Popescu investigates the relationship between structural and functional aspects of NMDA receptors with a range of biophysical and biochemical approaches. Among these are highly specialized biophysical techniques such as patch-clamp electrophysiology, patch-clamp fluorometry, kinetic modeling of single-molecule behaviors, and molecular dynamic simulations. Funds from the NIH have continuously funded Dr. Popescu’s research projects and have supported several graduate and postdoctoral students while training under her mentorship. Dr. Popescu’s distinguished accomplishments have been recognized for her clear and sustained impact on improving equity and inclusivity the fields of physiology and biophysics. More information about dr. Gabriela Popescu is available here, here, here and here.
The Biophysical Society was founded in the 1950s to lead the development and dissemination of knowledge in biophysics through many activities including meetings, publications, community outreach, and career placement. The Society members, of which there are currently over 7,500, work in academia, industry, and government agencies worldwide. Membership is open to scientists who have educational, research, or practical experience in biophysics or an allied scientific field.
The Biophysical Society has continued to grow and prosper and its Annual Meeting is attended by over 6,000 scientists working in biophysics, the biggest meeting of its kind in the world. More than 4,000 poster presentations are offered, more than 20 symposia, and over 200 exhibits per meeting.
The Biophysical Society publishes the Biophysical Journal twice monthly. It is widely acknowledged to be the outstanding, cutting edge journal in biophysics today. More details about the Biophysical Society and the Biophysical Journal can be accessed here.
The Biophysical Society Ambassador Program ‘creates a global network of Biophysical Society members that serve as local Society resources in their specific-countries or regions to promote the field and foster conversations around biophysics.
SECŢIUNE ACCESIBILIZATĂ PENTRU PERSOANELE CU DIZABILITĂŢI DE VEDERE
