American Society for Microbiology

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American Society for Microbiology
Website http://www.asm.org/

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is a scientific organization, based in the United States although with over 43,000 members throughout the world. It is the largest single life science professional organization and its members include those whose interests encompass basic and applied aspects of viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa as well as other aspects of microbiology. The society was created in 1899 and was called the Society of American Bacteriologists from 1899 until December 1960.

The mission of the American Society for Microbiology is to advance the microbiological sciences as a vehicle for understanding life processes and to apply and communicate this knowledge for the improvement of health and environmental and economic wellbeing worldwide. To achieve these goals, ASM will:

  • Support programs of education, training and public information;
  • Publish journals and books; convene meetings, workshops and colloquia;
  • Promote the contributions and promise of the microbiological sciences;
  • Recognize achievement and distinction among its practitioners;
  • Set standards of ethical and professional behavior.

Contents

[edit] Membership

Eligibility to become a Full Member of the Society is open to any person who is interested in microbiology and holds at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in microbiology or a related field. Many members hold advanced degrees, including a large number at the master's, PhD, ScD, DrPH and MD level. A regularly matriculated student of microbiology or a related field is eligible to become a student member.

[edit] Governance

The Society is governed by a Council compromising elected officers, chairmen of its permanent boards and representatives from 27 scientific divisions and 35 local branches. A Council Policy Committee serves as Executive Committee for the Society. The American Academy of Microbiology and five permanent boards--Publications, Meetings, Membership, Education and Training, and Public and Scientific Affairs--act to meet the objectives of the ASM.

The current elected President is Dr. Roberto Kolter (Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA); the President-Elect is Dr. Bonnie Bassler (Princeton Medical School, Princeton, NJ); the Secretary of the Society is Dr. Joe Campos (Department of Laboratory Medicine, Washington, DC) and the Treasurer is Dr. James Tiedje (Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University).

[edit] Meetings

The ASM runs two major meetings annually: the ASM General Meeting, which focuses on microbiology, and the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, known as ICAAC, one of the world's foremost meetings on infectious diseases. The society also holds the annual ASM Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting and numerous smaller conferences devoted to specialized areas of research.

Through its SCOPE program the society helps organize and manage scientific meetings for external organizations such as the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases

[edit] Publications

The society publishes twelve academic journals, as well as a minireview collection of all journals.

The society also publishes Microbe, a monthly news magazine for members as well as a full library of textbooks through its publishing arm ASM Press. A selection of articles from Microbe, Focus on Microbiology Education and Microbiology Education are available online via the MicrobeLibrary resource.

[edit] Public affairs

Through its Public and Scientific Affairs Board (PSAB) the society regularly monitors public policy, specifically the United States federal government and Congress and provides comment and testimony on issues that affect microbiology.

In 2003, the ASM issued the public policy report Global Environmental Change - Microbial Contributions, Microbial Solutions, wherein they recommend “reducing net anthropogenic CO2 emissions to the atmosphere” and “minimizing anthropogenic disturbances of” atmospheric gasses:

Carbon dioxide concentrations were relatively stable for the past 10,000 years but then began to increase rapidly about 150 years ago…as a result of fossil fuel consumption and land use change.
Of course, changes in atmospheric composition are but one component of global change, which also includes disturbances in the physical and chemical conditions of the oceans and land surface. Although global change has been a natural process throughout Earth’s history, humans are responsible for substantially accelerating present-day changes. These changes may adversely affect human health and the biosphere on which we depend.
Outbreaks of a number of diseases, including Lyme disease, hantavirus infections, dengue fever, bubonic plague, and cholera, have been linked to climate change.[1]

[edit] Education

The Education Board’s mission is to promote access, excellence, professional development, and advancement in microbiology education, promote the community of microbiology students and educators, and lead in microbiology education worldwide.

The board provides support for both students and educators at all levels. Programs of the Education Board include the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students a four-day meeting designed to support minority involvement in biomedical and behavioral sciences, the ASM BioQUEST Bioinformatics Institute an annual program for faculty interested in implementing bioinformatics across a curriculum, the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators an annual conference of nearly 300 college biology faculty dedicated to educational excellence, the Biology Scholars Program and the Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education a peer-reviewed publication about research in learning microbiology. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education.

The Education Board offers a comprehensive website, ASMGAP, with resources for graduate students and post-doctoral scientists. MicrobeLibrary is an online publication of over 1500 peer-reviewed resources for undergraduate microbiology education.

[edit] American Academy of Microbiology

The American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) is the honorific leadership group within the ASM. The AAM is the only group of its kind devoted entirely to microbiologists and the science of microbiology. Members of the AAM, are elected through a highly selective, annual, peer-reviewed process, based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology.

The Academy regularly convenes colloquia for in-depth analysis of critical issues in microbiology and publishes scientifically well-founded reports that provide expert advice and practical recommendations.

The Academy administers ASM scientific achievement awards that honor important contributions to basic and applied research, microbiology education, and scientific and professional leadership.

The American College of Microbiology, located within the Academy, includes three boards dedicated to the professional certification of microbiologists.

[edit] International programs

Through its International Committee, the ASM conducts a number of activities designed to support microbiology research worldwide. The goals of the committee are to promote the microbiological sciences worldwide by providing a diverse array of educational programs and services, developing collaborative relationships with national, international, and umbrella scientific organizations worldwide, ensuring the growth of international membership by offering ASM products and services that meet member needs and building capacity of HIV/AIDS microbiological laboratories worldwide.

ASM International Programs include:

[edit] Public education initiatives

Through its Communications Committee, the ASM operates a number of public outreach initiatives designed to educate the general public about the importance of microbiology to their daily lives and behaviors that can help improve public health.

The ASM's MicrobeWorldwebsite is ideal for learning more about microbiology in general. It includes information about microorganisms, microbiologists, current events and news, and links to resources.

Currently ASM produces MicrobeWorld Video and Meet the Scientist. MicrobeWorld Video is a video podcast that highlights the latest in microbiology, life science and biotechnology news. Covering diverse topics ranging from scientific conferences, events, museums and science comedians, MicrobeWorld Video launched in April 2007. Current and past episodes can be found on the MicrobeWorld Video homepage.

Launched in 2008, Meet the Scientist is a biweekly podcast highlighting one scientist; what they're working on, their interests, why they became involved in science, and where they see their discipline headed. The program is hosted by Merry Buckley, a long time science writer with a PhD in Environmental Microbiology.

From 1997 - 2008, ASM produced the daily MicrobeWorld Radio show. MicrobeWorld produced 260 unique shows each year highlighting the process of discovery, historical changes in research, and a variety of scientific careers in industry, academia, and government. Radio features included interview segments with leading scientists in the field and were reviewed by a panel of scientists with expertise in a variety of research fields to ensure content accuracy. Archives are available online.

Since 1996, the ASM has conducted its Operation Clean Hands campaign to educate the public on the importance of handwashing to individual and public health. To help promote the campaign, every few years the Society conducts an independent survey of handwashing behaviors in public restrooms. The last survey, conducted in August 2005, found that while 91 percent of adults say they always wash their hands after going to the bathroom, only 83 percent were actually observed doing so.

The ASM Public Communications Award, sponsored by ASM, recognizes outstanding achievement in increasing public awareness, knowledge and understanding of microbiology. Print, broadcast and online journalists are nominated for individual items and series they produce during the calendar year. Applicants may nominate themselves. Nominees are judged by a committee of their peers. The award consists of a $2,500 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and travel expenses to attend the ASM General Meeting for presentation of the award.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ ASM “Global Environmental Change - Microbial Contributions, Microbial Solutions”
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