THE PhysiologistJULY 2020 MAGAZINE HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS DISRUPTED PHYSIOLOGY LABS AND RESEARCH 16 MEET NEW APS PRESIDENT LINDA SAMUELSON 34 THE WORLD IN HER SIGHTS Astronaut and comparative physiologist Jessica Meir talks about her adventure off the planet PhysioScape Art Contest YOUR 2D ART Express your Research- based and HERE perspective Interpretive and creativity. Artwork Enter our APS inaugural art Members competition Only for the chance to have your physiology- themed art AUG. 31 displayed at APS Submission Deadline headquarters. Submit Your Original Artwork physiology.org/physioscape Wall Art Contest Flyer.indd 1 3/10/2020 4:14:14 PM CONTENTS FEATURES 16 26 22 34 16 26 Idle Labs Flying High The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically disrupted Three physiologists share their adventures physiology labs and research, forcing scientists studying science at high altitudes. to grapple with a common theme: uncertainty. BY HEATHER BOERNER BY DARA CHADWICK 22 34 The World in Her Sights GI Success What’s it like to live and work on the International Meet Linda Samuelson: physiologist, teacher, Space Station? Astronaut and comparative opera fan, cyclist and 93rd president of APS. physiologist Jessica Meir talks about BY MELANIE PADGETT POWERS her adventure off the planet. BY STACY BROOKS AND DENNIS BROWN, PHD JULY 2020 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 1 CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS BASELINE 4 No Room for Racism IN REVIEW 8 COVID-19 Talk on Twitter LAB NOTES MENTORING Q&A 14 10 Student Support How to help students struggling in your program. TRANSPORT 40 Career successes and milestones POLICY IQ of APS members. 12 Pandemic Upends Postdoctoral Training OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS POLICY IQ 41 Our list of featured job opportunities. 13 Let Lawmakers Know 9 How the Pandemic Affects Research DATES & DEADLINES 41 Calls for awards and papers and UNDER THE MICROSCOPE conference deadlines. 14 Rapid Fire Q&A Scott D. Kirkton, PhD, shares why he became a scientist, the ironic NEWS FROM THE FIELD thing he was scared of as a kid and 42 Meet Heddwen Brooks, PhD, the how grasshoppers got him out of new editor-in-chief of the American a speeding ticket. Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology. Scott D. Kirkton, PhD, is elected 10 incoming chair of the Section Advisory Committee. New section leaders announced. Michigan Physiological Society creates virtual poster session. LAST WORD 44 Resilience: A Route to Restart Science Caroline Appleyard, PhD, FAPS, shares thoughts and lessons learned on 44 dealing effectively with adversity and starting up again. 2 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | JULY 2020 NEW TEXTBOOK IN PHYSIOLOGY A vailable on Amazon, this book explores the mechanisms that govern the function of nerve, muscle and secretory cells. The laws of diffusion, electricity and mass action are explained and applied to elucidate how cells establish a resting membrane potential, achieve osmotic balance, generate action potentials, initiate secretion and control muscle contraction. Results from a number of historically important experiments are included and discussed. The main text also includes a two-chapter introduction to Python, which is an easy-to-learn modern programming language. Python programs appear selectively throughout the book to illustrate important physiological principles and results. Exercises at the end of each chapter test the student’s understanding with quantitative questions, experimental data sets and physiological models. The explanatory text, the Python programs and the chapter exercises provide a unique framework for the exploration of the underlying mechanisms at a quantitative level. The material is suitable for a one- or two-semester course for advanced undergraduates or early COMPUTATIONAL graduate students. CELL PHYSIOLOGY WITH EXAMPLES IN PYTHON The author is professor emeritus 50 of physiology at the University of 25 6.0 °C 0 Pennsylvania. He is the recipient -25 -50 ................................................................................................ of a Dean’s Award for Excellence -75 024 6 8 10 50 in Basic Science Teaching from the Vm (mV) 25 18.5 °C University of Pennsylvania and a 0 -25 -50 Javits Neuroscience Investigator ............................................................................................... -75 024 6 8 10 Award from the U.S. National time (ms) Institutes of Health. STEPHEN M. BAYLOR BASELINE devoting more money to power our DEI programs and initiatives, starting with an initial No Room investment of at least $75,000 in 2020; providing diversity and inclusion training for Racism for all staff and APS committee members; expanding the diversity of the APS Council, BY SCOTT STEEN, CAE, FASAE committees and section leadership; expanding and strengthening mentorship programs to build a pipeline of tomorrow’s scientific leaders of color; working with organizers and selection We are in the midst of a watershed moment. committees to expand the diversity among WThe ongoing list of names of Black people killed APS marquee award winners and speakers at due to racist violence—George Floyd, Ahmaud APS conferences; Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Raynard Brooks and so launching a diversity and inclusion many others—has surfaced a truth that has been symposium; and denied for far too long: Systemic racism against developing resources to empower individuals Black people exists and its consequences are to create more inclusive workplaces. real, wide-reaching and, in some instances, We’re aiming to get the majority of these life-threatening or deadly. initiatives enacted by the end Much of the current of the year. We will also be discussion has centered on “APS members and staff soliciting member feedback much-needed change in in an APS inclusivity climate law enforcement training, must do the same work survey later this year and look structures and systems, but that the rest of society is forward to your honest opinions. this is not just a problem of doing: reflecting on how These are just the first policing. Every industry must our systems, attitudes and steps. In many ways, the grapple with its track record personal biases work to tactical details are the easy on racial equity, including perpetuate inequality and part. Bringing about a cultural the scientific enterprise. APS change in science—as with members and staff must do figuring out ways to remedy society at large—will be the part the same work that the rest these inequities.” that requires the hardest work of society is doing: reflecting of self-reflection and individual on how our systems, attitudes change. It’s time to have the and personal biases work to perpetuate tough conversations, engage in deep listening and inequality and figuring out ways to remedy explore how best to address the challenges faced these inequities. by those in underrepresented communities and The APS Diversity & Inclusion Committee, act as a force for meaningful, positive change. chaired by Karla Haack, PhD, has been working But in the midst of so much challenge lies with APS staff leadership to identify specific opportunity—the opportunity to get to know our short- and long-term ideas that can help make colleagues on a deeper level and develop more the Society more equitable and inclusive. We understanding of where we’ve come from so we are in the process of piloting new initiatives can truly start the journey forward together. that include: I ask that you all join with us as we making diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) accelerate to a more diverse, equitable and a goal-level item in our 2020 strategic plan, inclusive future. which requires the establishment of specific Scott Steen, CAE, FASAE, is executive director of the and separate achievement-based metrics, American Physiological Society. planning and targets; 4 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | JULY 2020 Visit datasci.com to schedule your free consultation! Achieve your research potential Get the data you need with preclinical physiologic monitoring systems and services designed to free you up to focus on your research. PhysioTel™ Implantable Telemetry Collect high-quality physiologic data from conscious, freely moving animals with implantable telemetry, the gold standard in cardiovascular monitoring. 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