University of Wisconsin–Madison students with an interest in biochemistry and molecular biology are coming together to learn, socialize, and network through the UW–Madison American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Student Chapter.
ASBSB Student Chapters support the next generation of biochemists and molecular biologists by promoting the advancement of research, education, and science outreach across the United States. Meetings of the Madison Chapter include professional and practical skills development such as working on CVs and resumes with writing center staff, advice from peers and mentors on creating research posters and writing abstracts, and a journal club focused on biochemistry and microbiology related topics.
For the UW–Madison Student Chapter’s members, the organization just as much an opportunity to connect with peers and build community as it is about career readiness.
Joshua DeRuyter, the Chapter’s current president, is a senior majoring in biochemistry and data science with a certificate in computer science. He joined the UW–Madison ASBMB Student Chapter his freshman year and credits his participation in the Chapter with helping him identify and access opportunities. Just as important to DeRuyter, his participation introduced him to a social network of like-minded students.
“Of course, an academic club is going to help you find your path to success. I learned about opportunities to work in research labs. My peers and I have also benefitted from scholarships and awards that we learned about through the club,” says DeRuyter. “But my favorite meetings are the fun activities that we do, like playing Pictionary, painting pumpkins, and our annual bonfire at Picnic Point.”
Elizabeth Siaw, a major in biochemistry and botany, transferred to UW–Madison from a university in her home country of Malaysia before her junior year. She learned about the Chapter at UW–Madison’s biannual Student Organization Fair and decided to attend a meeting.
“I figured it would be good to check it out since I was a new biochemistry student and I didn’t know many people,” recalls Siaw. “I’m really glad I did. It’s a friendly space for people interested in STEM to just come together, have fun, be nerdy, and talk about science.”
Siaw now serves as the Chapter’s academic and outreach chair, which involves facilitating peer mentoring, building connections in the community and with peers, planning outreach public outreach activities, and running a journal club that helps undergraduates learn how to read scientific journal articles. Thanks to a travel scholarship from ASBMB available to members of student chapters, Siaw recently attended the ASBMB national conference in Chicago along with faculty and about a dozen other students from UW–Madison.
“It’s really great being part of a national organization,” says Siaw. “We get to interact with groups from other universities and see what they’re doing. We get ideas from them and learn about research happening in other parts of the country. It just opens up a wider world of science and discovery.”
The Chapter is advised by biochemistry professor Aaron Hoskins, whose role supports continuity between generations of students. Hoskins says ASBMB Student Chapters are unique because they support students in all aspects of a scientific career, from networking and relationship building to professional resources and grant opportunities.
Students interested in joining the UW–Madison ASBMB Student Chapter can learn more at an upcoming Student Organization Fair or visit the Wisconsin Involvement Network.
Written by Renata Solan.