David Songstad, SIVB President
As this is my first submission to In Vitro Report as the President of the Society for In Vitro Biology, I want to begin with many “Thank You” notes to individuals and our membership. First, a big “Thank You” goes to Dr. William Smith for his friendship and for successfully shepherding the SIVB over the past two years. Congratulations Bill, job well done. Second, I want to thank our Past Presidents, specifically Dr. Todd Jones, Dr. Paul Price and Dr. David Altman, for turning the ship away from bankruptcy and towards prosperity! I also want to thank our current and past Treasurers, Dr. Barbara Doonan and Dr. Richard Heller for their diligence and fiscal responsibility. The Secretary is responsible for taking the minutes at our Board meetings and conference calls and a big “Thank You” goes to our current and past Secretaries—Dr. Lia Campbell, Dr. John Finer and Dr. Nancy Reichert for their dedicated minutes of the societies business.
Students are the next generation and I want to give a “High Five” thank you to all the hundreds of students that have been involved with the SIVB over the years. I’m particularly thankful for those students who have decided to make SIVB their home professional society. Now is the time for you to get involved with the SIVB. As President, I am empowering you to contact the SIVB and ask how you can become more involved with our society. In addition to attending the annual meeting, your involvement can go beyond this—for example, by helping Dr. Michael Fay and Dr. Sylvia Mitchell with In Vitro Report to serving on the Student Committee.
I also want to thank the SIVB membership for having elected me as your President. I take this responsibility very seriously and realize I’m standing on the shoulders of those that have founded and shaped the TCA/SIVB in years past. As President, I will have an “open door” policy for input. Please feel free to call or email me anytime you want. I firmly believe that consensus is the way to lead any organization and this is how I will lead the SIVB.
I joined the TCA/SIVB in 1991 and have attended every annual meeting since joining—including two meetings that were at my own expense. The reason why I am committed to the SIVB has evolved over the years. Initially it was to present my research at the annual meeting, to publish results in our society’s journals and to meet new people involved with in vitro sciences. As the years have come and gone, the SIVB continues to be a fantastic venue to present science, and it has also become a place where I get to see some of my closest friends. Friends who have become like brothers and sisters to me (and you know who you are :-)).
There is one friend that I must highlight because he truly demonstrates what the SIVB is all about. He joined the SIVB in 1987 and continues to be a member to this day. During the past 25 years, he has been involved with the society in various ways ranging from contributing to In Vitro Report to serving as Publications Committee Chair. When he learned that I was downsized out of Monsanto last year, he told me about a “soon to be open position” where he worked at Cibus in San Diego—a position he knew well because it was his. I’m referring to Michael Horn who was diagnosed with ALS about a year ago. At a time when most people would be completely focused on their situation, Mike was concerned about me and asked for my resume so he could share it with his manager. I told him how touched I was by him thinking of me and he replied “this is what friends do for each other”. The word “exemplify” comes to mind when I think of Mike Horn. Exemplify is defined as “to be an instance of or serve as an example”. Mike, you not only exemplify what it means to be a member of the SIVB, you exemplify what it means to be a friend.
Thanks for being there for me.
David D. Songstad
SIVB President
