|
The ISCB
Joins FASEB as an Associate Member
 |
In December
of 2002 the Board of Directors of the Federation of American Societies
for Experimental Biology (FASEB) unanimously approved ISCB’s
application for associate membership in their 90-year-old organization.
This was considered great news by the ISCB board of directors, as
the Society extends its circle of influence through interactions
among other member organizations sharing similar goals and needs.
FASEB is comprised of 21 societies with more than 60,000 members,
making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations
based in the United States. FASEB’s mission is to enhance the
ability of biomedical and life scientists to improve—through
their research—the health, well-being and productivity of all
people. FASEB serves the interests of these scientists in those
areas related to public policy, facilitates coalition activities
among Member Societies and disseminates information on biological
research through scientific conferences and publications.
“This is a perfect match and we really look forward to working
with the ISCB folks,” enthused FASEB’s Executive Director,
Sidney Golub. “Discussions about ISCB’s possible membership
in FASEB began over a year ago and I’m pleased we are finally
welcoming the Society as our newest member.” ISCB past Presidents
Phil Bourne and Russ Altman, who initiated those early conversations
at the direction of the ISCB Board of Directors, echoed Golub’s
sentiments.
ISCB Secretary, Barbara Bryant, attended the FASEB board meeting
in representation of the Society, giving a presentation about ISCB
to augment the application that was reviewed by FASEB’s membership
committee prior to their making a recommendation of membership to
the board. “One of the FASEB meetings I went to while there
was about U.S. federal funding,” said Bryant. “FASEB has
subcommittees that make recommendations for funding each of the
federal agencies of relevance to experimental biologists, including
the NIH, NSF, USDA, DOE, VA, and NASA. The board then gives feedback
and votes on accepting these as the official FASEB recommendations.”
As much as ISCB’s motivation to join FASEB was motivated by
this ability to have a voice in U.S. federal funding and public
policy, an equally important factor was their representation of
other international societies with global membership issues and
needs. Among such international groups are The Biophysical Society,
The Protein Society, The Endocrine Society, the Society for Developmental
Biology, and Association of Bimolecular Resource Facilities. ISCB
is pleased to become an associate member of FASEB, and collaborate
with these and all other member societies toward the advancement
of experimental biology for the greater public good.
|
