Be a Better Communicator: Become a Friend of Joe's Big Idea

January 2018 Bulletin

Highlights from this Month

A Message from the President

Biophysical Society Creates Roadmap into the Future

Biophysics as a discipline has experienced incredible growth in the last 15 years, which is reflected in the growth of the Biophysical Society membership and Annual Meeting. With that growth, an increasing number of disciplines now use biophysical approaches to conduct their research, and elements of biophysics can be found in nearly every aspect of contemporary life sciences.

Nominations Now Being Accepted for 2019 Society Awards

The Biophysical Society is accepting nominations for its 2019 awards now through May 1, 2018. In addition to those offered previously, there are three newly established awards: The BPS Innovation Award, The BPS Award in the Biophysics of Health and Disease, and The Ignacio “Nacho” Tinoco Award of the Biophysical Society.

Biophysicist in Profile: Padmini Rangamani

Growing up in Hyderabad, India, Padmini Rangamani enjoyed writing poetry and embroidering and thought she might study literature or needlecraft. In high school her interests led her toward science and math. “Now, as it was then, I can easily get interested in a variety of things,” she shares. “Throughout my career, I’ve gone wherever I’ve gotten the most curious.”

Getting Ready to Lead

Some things can’t be said enough. The following article by Patricia L. Clark, was published in the January 2012 BPS Newsletter and in January 2014 as a blog post. We are reproducing it here as it is as relevant today as when it was written.

It is an honor to be asked to co-chair a platform session.Co-chairing a session as a postdoc is a great opportunity to get your name and face out there at a time when you should be planning ahead to secure your next position.

Individuals who have chosen science as a career understand the scientific process, the need for research, the potential that comes from gaining an understanding of how things work, and the very long time span needed to realize that potential. But what about people who aren’t scientists? And politicians who want to see the returns on their investments in science? How does the scientific community help others understand?

Communication.

Most scientific training programs do not include training on how to be a good communicator and share scientific findings with a general audience. With the growth of social media, Wikipedia, and blogs, there are more opportunities than ever for scientists to share their work firsthand with a wide audience, and fortunately, this has been accompanied by an increased interest from scientists in learning how to do that
better.

National Public Radio’s science correspondent Joe Palca has seen this firsthand. During his travels, Palca has met many young scientists who have expressed their desire to be better
communicators. In response, Palca started the group Friends of Joe’s Big Idea (FOJBIs).

Friends of Joe’s Big Idea, (pronounced foe-JOE-bee) is a community of young scientists that includes undergrads, graduate students, postdocs, and faculty interested in improving their science communication skills. There are currently around 500 FOJBIs across the United States. Palca and Madeline Sofia, assistant producer of the NPR science desk, work with FJOBIs to become better communicators. Members of the
group are given opportunities to practice pitching stories and to receive feedback on writing and editing. They also can participate in both online and local in-person networking and

Want to get involved?

The Biophysical Society encourages members who are interested in improving their communication skills to join FJOBIs. The community is open to anyone actively engaged in science, no matter their training level. To join, email [email protected]. Meet Joe Palca and Madeline Sofia and learn how to tell your scientific story on Saturday February 17, 2018, at the BPS Annual Meeting. See page 10 for information on the session.