Wayne State Student Chapter receives Event Grant award from the Biophysical Society
Our Biophysical Student Chapter at Wayne State University recently received an Event Grant award from the Biophysical Society, distinguishing itself among 60 chapters worldwide. Despite being relatively new, our chapter boasts a diverse membership comprising individuals from various educational backgrounds. President Susheel Pangeni notes, "Established in 2021, our chapter now includes 15 to 20 active members spanning disciplines such as physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and medicine, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate students." Despite our chapter's youth, its members harbor ambitious aspirations to raise awareness throughout the campus community. Pangeni explains, "Our aim is to foster connections, engage in scientific discourse, and orchestrate events to promote learning within the community."
Securing the award necessitated adherence to several procedural steps outlined by the Biophysical Society. Submission requirements included officer and member rosters, attendee lists, and chapter details via the society's website. Failure to fulfill these criteria would have precluded our Wayne State chapter from utilizing the grant for campus events. Pangeni elaborates, "This grant covers expenses such as event supplies, guest speaker travel and lodging, honoraria, and refreshments. It's an annual opportunity, and we intend to apply for it regularly." Following the processing of their paperwork, the chapter was delighted to receive notice of a $500 grant.
Our Wayne State chapter harbored ambitious plans for the utilization of the event grant. A notable endeavor was the Biophysics Spring Conference held on April 16th, 2024, featuring distinguished keynote speakers such as Professor Dr. Timothy Stemmler from Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assistant Professor Dr. Alex Albaugh from Wayne State's Engineering department, and Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Cianfrocco from the University of Michigan. The conference showcased presentations by three graduate students and one postdoctoral researcher hailing from various departments including Ophthalmology and Anatomical Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics and Astronomy.
Pangeni underscores the multifaceted benefits the grant affords the Biophysical Student Chapter, including funding for events such as Q&A sessions, networking gatherings, study session refreshments, as well as monthly activities like fundraising drives, membership initiatives, and outreach programs. Furthermore, the Society extends its support to university students through tutoring, career planning assistance, and networking opportunities with research advisors, all aimed at fostering scientific discourse and community engagement. Pangeni explains, “Subject to funding availability, we could financially support the participation of students in the Biophysics Conference each year.”
Wayne State's Biophysical Society stands out from its global counterparts and other campus organizations due to its interdisciplinary nature and focus on biophysics research. Pangeni emphasizes, "Our membership spans diverse departments, reflecting a research-centric approach to biophysics. We facilitate knowledge exchange across fields like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Medicine, setting us apart from other societies at Wayne State University." The Society actively collaborates with student chapters both nationally and internationally, fostering interdisciplinary and inter-chapter cooperation. Regional collaborations include chapters from Yale University, Purdue University, and University of Toronto, among others. The society also collaborates with notable global chapters representing various colleges and universities in London (England) and in Kenya.
For those interested in joining the Student Chapter of the Biophysical Society, numerous avenues for involvement exist. The society maintains a website with a "Join us" section for membership sign-ups and additional information. Annual officer elections ensure opportunities for new members to assume leadership roles. The current executive committee (2023-24) comprises Dr. Takeshi Sakamoto (Chapter Advisor), Susheel Pangeni (President), Marcus Akrawi (Vice-President), Shahnaz Parveen (Secretary), and Mohammad Saqallah (Treasurer), who convene monthly to plan campus events and initiatives.