2025 was quite a doozy of a year generally and for ASB specifically, and I’d like to personally thank all of you for your continued support as we navigate these uncharted waters. Your society remains strong because of all you put into it!

It was a joy connecting with many of you as I rounded out my term as President in Pittsburgh eating delicious salads with

Presenting the President’s Service Award to Maria Pasquale

french fries, crossing bridges, and celebrating the accomplishments of our keynote speakers, new Fellows, and departing Executive Board members. I am so glad that I was able to award the President’s Service Award to Maria Pasquale. Maria has been instrumental over the years as a Vendor representative to annual meetings and as ASB Treasurer, bringing her knowledge and industry experience to improve processes and provide better experiences for everyone. Thank you Maria!

For anyone who didn’t see me during the meeting, I was probably visiting posters when you looked for me…I really enjoyed seeing many great ones and talking with many of you about your innovative work. Congratulations to Mark Price for the President’s Poster Award. Mark is now doing a post-doc at Massachusetts Institute of Technology – I am looking forward to seeing more great things from Mark in the future!

I have also really enjoyed reading the Fellow nomination letters over the past few weeks, and I look forward to toasting those honorees in Vancouver in July. Thanks very much to Bil Ledoux, Glenn Fleisig, Karen Troy, Richard Hughes, and Stacie Ringleb for taking the time to review these nominations over your winter break!

ASB elections are coming up, which means that the Nominating Committee (Karl Zelik, Frankie Wade, and myself) are going to be busy finding nominees for the elected positions. There’s still time if you’re interested in being considered this year. And if you are thinking you’d like to be on the Executive Board in the future, please consider volunteering on a committee – this is the best way to gain the experience and understanding of the work of the society and set yourself up to be on the Board.

The Development Committee continues to be active. We have added new items to the ASB Swag store. You can support student activities by making a donation and specifying “ASB GIVES” to fuel student chapter meetings, strengthen regional collaborations, and launch the ASB Spark Fund. And to our Fellows, remember that the Council of Fellows Challenge is still active, wherein donations by Fellows will be matched – help us collect on that challenge pledge! We welcome your ideas and connections as well as your financial support. Please email me with any ideas you have.

See you in Vancouver!