Thank you to all our members for your contributions to the field of biomechanics. It has been a pleasure to work with the Society and Executive Board to serve you all. On the horizon, our next meeting in Vancouver for World Congress this summer promises to be a wonderful event, and I add my thanks to the meeting and program organizers from ASB, Podium, and our World Council partners

We are still considering locations for hosting meetings in 2028 and beyond! Please reach out if you have any interest in learning more about what it would be like to host our annual meeting.

Last year, we approved our new ASB Strategic Plan to direct the Society’s initiatives and activities. We are now deep in the implementation planning process, which involves identifying clear actions and assessment metrics that align with our plan, assigning point people on the Board to shepherd implementation, and defining timelines. I’m excited for us to dig in on making the goals of the Plan a reality. As the implementation and assessment plan takes shape and is finalized, we will share with the membership. We are already getting started on an integrated communications plan, improved operational strategies for Society management, and a bylaws revision to align with best practices for non profit organizations. Stay tuned for more information on how you can contribute, including on committees and through member feedback!

We continue to face uncertainties in science and education funding and policies that have affected our field and our members. ASB collaborates with the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering as a member of the Council of Societies. We meet regularly with AIMBE Council of Societies to learn from AIMBE leadership and our colleagues in other professional societies about how they are responding to the changing landscape and prepare for upcoming legislation or policies that could warrant input from scientific societies.  We have signed on to several joint letters to Congress in support of federal science funding, NIH, NIOSH, and other key funding programs relevant to our members. AIMBE also provides letter templates and resources for communicating effectively for science advocacy, which are available to ASB members through our Advocacy page on our website. I know some of our institutions also have shifting policies and guidelines which may impact engagement in conferences, travel, or professional societies; please let me or other members of the Executive Board know if you or your institution are affected so that we can provide whatever support we can to keep our members meaningfully engaged in ASB and our activities.

Thank you again for your continued support of biomechanics, students, ASB, and science – I look forward to likewise supporting our field this year and seeing you all in Vancouver.