Learn about NACOB 2022

ASB Membership

Committees

Committee chairpersons are appointed by elected board members. The chairpersons select committee members which are approved by the board. New appointments happen every three years

Interested in volunteering?

Visit the Executive Page to contact the chair of the committee you’d like to help with.

Communications Committee

 

The Communications Committee was established by the Executive Board and was ratified by a vote of the ASB membership in 1997 to focus on the electronic communications within the Society. The Communications Committee is responsible for maintaining the ASB website and its connections to other relevant websites, for publishing the meeting abstracts on the web, and for all other matters related to public relations and communications required to serve the society and its members.

The ASB website was originally created in 1995 by Jill McNitt-Gray when she was Chair of the Education Committee. At that time, the site housed the Biomechanics Graduate Program Database and general ASB information. Gerry Smith restructured the site in 1997, and the first full electronic proceedings of an ASB annual meeting were posted for the 1997 Annual Meeting. The Society obtained its own internet domain name in 1998.

Committee Chair

The Communications Committee Chairperson is appointed by the Executive Board and serves for 3 years. Communications Committee members are selected by the Chairperson and are approved by the Executive Board. The Newsletter Editor is a member of the committee.

Past chairs
    • Gerald Smith (1997-2000)
    • Gary Heise (2000-2003)
    • Kathy Simpson (2003-2006)
    • Andy Karduna (2006-2009)
    • Zong-Ming Li (2009-2012)
    • Michelle Sabick (2012-2015)
    • Robert Catena (2015-2018)
    • Tarang Jain (2018-2021)
    • Srikant Vallabhajosula (2021- present)

    Diversity & Inclusion Committee

     

    The American Society of Biomechanics is committed to building a professional community that respects and promotes diversity and inclusion. We strive to learn from the diverse perspectives of our membership as we seek common goals for the biomechanics community.

    As a Society, we seek to:

    1. support career development of all members to achieve their highest potential;
    2. promote sound science and research Justice1;
    3. promote enhanced engagement in the Society of underrepresented groups through involvement in Society activities and dialogue with leadership; and
    4. foster respect for diversity and inclusion in our community among our members and leadership.

    1As defined in The Belmont Report, http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.html

    The Diversity Committee was formed in 2013 as the Diversity Task Force to provide guidance and oversight to the diversity and inclusion initiatives of ASB members. The Diversity Committee took over organizing the Women in Science event, which had been a student-led event beginning in 2004, and the Diversity Breakfast, which had also been a student event starting in 2009.  In 2015, the Diversity Committee also began administering and awarding Diversity Travel awards to ASB members for attendance at the ASB annual meeting. Finally, the Diversity Committee began planning and hosting the Diversity Outreach event at the 2018 annual meeting.

    Committee Chair

    The Diversity Committee Chair is appointed by the Executive Board and serves for 3 years. The Education Committee Chair became a voting member of the Executive Board in 2014 when the ASB members approved a change in the ASB Bylaws. Diversity Committee members are selected by the Chair and are approved by the Executive Board. Each member of the committee represents a different category of membership in ASB.

    Past Chairs
    • Robin Queen (2017-2020)
    • Ajit Chaudhari (2020-present)

    Education Committee

     

    The Education Committee was formed in 1985 to provide educational opportunities and services for ASB members. The Education Committee originally selected the Young Scientist and Travel Award recipients but administration of these awards was transferred to the Awards Committee in 1992. The Education Committee has organized tutorial sessions at the ASB annual meetings since 1982 as well as a teaching symposium since 2011. The Education Committee has also evaluated the annual meetings yearly since 1989 but the Executive Board shifted this responsibility to the Program Chair-Elect in 2016. In 2000, the Education Committee was asked to manage the regional student meetings sponsored by ASB. Finally, the Education Committee Chair reports on the activities of the Grants-in-Aid committee to the Executive Board.

    Committee Chair

    The Education Committee Chair is appointed by the Executive Board and serves for 3 years. The Education Committee Chair became a voting member of the Executive Board in 1990 when the ASB members approved a change in the ASB Bylaws. Education Committee members are selected by the Chair and are approved by the Executive Board. Each member of the committee represents a different category of membership in ASB. The Student Representative is a standing member of the Education Committee.
    Past Chairs
    • Gerald Pijanowski (1986-89)
    • Mary Rodgers (1989-92)
    • Jill McNitt-Gray (1992-96)
    • Suzanne Smith (1996-99)
    • Julianne Abendroth-Smith (1999-2002)
    • Steve McCaw (2002-2007)
    • Nick Stergiou (2007-2010)
    • Gerald Smith (2010-2013)
    • Cécile Smeesters (2013-2016)
    • Kimberly Bigelow (2016-2019)
    • Louis Diberardino (2019-present)