What motivates me more than anything isn’t money, it isn’t prestige or followers, instead it’s being able to make a difference in the lives of scientists-in-the-making. This is why I’m soooo excited that, as I excitedly announced in last week’s Bri-ring from the bench, in July, I’m starting as a full-time Visiting Professor at Saint Mary’s College of California (SMC), where I will be teaching undergraduate biochemistry (lecture and lab) for both biology and biochemistry majors and a couple of chemistry labs. And it’s why I’m so grateful that, over the past few years, I’ve been able to work with members of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) who share a similar mission and drive. I’ve served first as student ambassador, then trainee ambassador and thankfully they aren’t tired of me yet! Instead, I will be taking on a new role as ambassador for trainees – helping serve as a liaison between trainees and faculty, advocating for support for trainees, etc. 

YouTube: https://youtu.be/X63eeGiuMOU 

More details in the video, but while I have you, I wanted to use part of my Bri-fing space to thank the IUBMB – especially President Alexandra Newton – for their constant support and encouragement. Thanks to them, I have built confidence, built cross-continent connections, gone to great conferences, and been able to (hopefully) help a larger audience. I truly believe that biochemistry should be accessible to everyone – no matter where they live, how rich they are, etc. – and this is a sentiment at the core of IUBMB’s philosophy as well. 

I look forward to continuing to work closely with the IUBMB to further their mission. And helping the burgeoning IUBMB Trainee Initiative we started together however I can (shoutout to all my great colleagues on the leadership committee!) 

Thank you Alexandra, Charysse Austria (Secretariat), Ilona Concha Grabinger

(Member for Congresses and Focused Meetings), the IUBMB Trainee Initiative leadership committee, and the rest of the IUBMB! It’s been an absolute honor working with you as student and trainee ambassador! And I look forward to our continued collaboration. 

Sincerely,

the bumbling biochemist