Colleagues,
This is the last President’s Report that I will be writing for In Vitro Report! I assure you that it will not be my last writing for IVR. In Vitro Reports is a great forum for our members to share information and to highlight activities. I would like thank Michael Fay, Sylvia Mitchell and Michele Schultz for their diligent work! I hope that you all consider submissions when you receive their reminders!
It is an exciting time to be in the field of In Vitro Biology. More and more novel applications of cells, organs/organoids and even whole organisms are here! Gene editing offers promise in so many fields, but it all starts with individual, cultured cells. Genetic engineering for novel proteins and/or replacement sources of protein has been an exciting space and it seems to grow every day. Synthetic biology looking towards completely, novel, engineered pathways and products is a growing field. Even where application goes to field level or large scale, it all starts with in vitro techniques. The SIVB is and should continue to be the premier society within this space! We house the knowledge, expertise, innovation and tools to get there!
The world continues to largely open back up. Though the world also continues to close down – to science that is. I want to continue to ask you all to spread the word- not only for the benefit of the Society for In Vitro Biology, but also for the benefit of Society as a whole. It is great science that members of the SIVB do that enable so much of our lives. We must continue to engage and communicate about the importance of our work. There is so much misinformation about science that continues to circulate. It will not stop unless we all become active, trusted providers of science. More and more of our health and well being depends on science as well as our ability to deal with climate change and sustainable solutions. At the same time, more and more anti science rhetoric is being promulgated. Please continue to communicate!
Please also continue to support the SIVB wherever you can! I am amazed at the work that the Development committee has done and continues to do. Within that space, I am also amazed at the number of members that recognize the SIVB as part of their regular charitable giving. Outside of that, I hope that all of you will consider how you can participate. Please consider signing up to convene/co-convene sessions. This is a great, first place to get involved and is how I first started my involvement in SIVB outside of “just attending”. Utilize the meeting to get to know other members. You will be able to find connections that will last your whole career and even outside of your career. Can you get involved – YES YOU CAN!!!
Thank you all for giving me the chance to serve as your President. It has been my honor. I look forward to continuing as Past President with the new board and handing off the Presidency to Addy Alt-Holland. John Harbell put together a great slate of candidates. Thanks for all who voted. The new members/continuing members were reported in the Jan-Mar issue of IVR (https://sivb.org/InVitroReport/issue-56-1-january-march-2022/2022-2024-election-results/). Some of the board members are continuing in new, or same roles, though some are rotating off the board. I particularly want to thank those rotating off: John Harbell (Past President), Sukhpreet Sandhu (Secretary), Kan Wang (Member at Large, Plant). The SIVB is a great society due to the great scientists who are active members. I look forward to being continually and consistently amazed by all that our members do!
Regards,
Allan Wenck, PhD, JD
President, Society for In Vitro Biology
