Exploring the Role that ASCB and WICB Can Play in Career Development: A Perspective

Introduction: what is the current role for professional societies?
The Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing changes in technology have led to fundamental changes in the ways in which many trainees and professional researchers and mentors interact. In-person meetings are no longer a requirement for the exchange of ideas and fostering scientific and professional networks. In the wake of these changes, many groups are considering how the role of scientific societies has changed¹ . This includes considering how professional societies can help shape education and career development for trainees at the undergraduate and graduate levels; and for postdoctoral researchers and junior scientists who may or may not be considering or pursuing academic careers^{2, 3}.

WICB: its roots and current directions
The Women in Cell Biology (WICB) Committee has a long and glorious history of supporting women and underrepresented groups in their careers in research and beyond^{4, 5}. In its early years, WICB focused on addressing the challenges women faced in scientific careers. One of the initial activities was offering mentorship and networking opportunities. The committee established award programs to highlight the achievements of women in cell biology, increasing their visibility and recognition within the scientific community. WICB also organized sessions at ASCB annual meetings, providing a platform for discussing gender equity, career advancement, and work-life balance.

One of the most popular undertakings of WICB was the Mentoring Roundtables. These were interactive, small-group discussions designed to foster career development and networking within the community. These roundtables were held during the ASCB|EMBO Cell Bio meetings and brought together 8-10 participants for focused conversations on topics relevant to career advancement. Each roundtable was facilitated by experienced scientists, often senior women in the field, who provided insights and guidance on key career-related issues. All career stages of research and academia were addressed in these sessions. Participants could discuss subjects such as applying for faculty, post-doc, or grad school positions, finding mentors, building professional networks, managing career transitions, and achieving work-life balance. Other topics included grant writing, publishing strategies, and negotiation skills for salary, job offers, or resources. These discussions allowed participants to ask specific questions and receive personalized advice from experts. The success and impact of these roundtables were so great that they are now an integral part of the ASCB|EMBO Cell Bio meeting.

In addition to the roundtables, WICB also hosts workshops and discussion panels on career and related issues designed to equip the community with the skills needed to navigate scientific careers. Lately, these workshops are not just limited to events at the
annual meeting but are organized year-round in the form of mentoring webinars.

To promote and recognize women in cell biology, WICB offers awards such as the WICB Junior Award for Excellence in Research and the Sandra K. Masur Senior Leadership Awards, which honor women who have made significant contributions to cell biology and serve as role models for the next generation of scientists.

Another popular WICB event is the WICB Mentoring Theatre, an interactive event held at ASCB annual meetings that uses role-playing scenarios to address common challenges in scientific careers. Experienced mentors and scientists act out real-life situations, such as difficult conversations with colleagues, navigating career transitions, or negotiating for resources. Following each performance, the audience participates in discussions, offering feedback and exploring different approaches to handling these issues. This dynamic format provides practical insights into effective communication, conflict resolution, and career management strategies, helping attendees develop skills for overcoming challenges in their professional lives.

In the wake of the 50^th anniversary of WICB⁵, we sought a variety of perspectives on the role that professional societies including ASCB, and affinity groups such as WICB, can play in career development, advocacy, and community building. To gather these perspectives, we reached out to both long-standing WICB members with deep involvement with the committee and newer members who are actively engaged. We also sought input from non-members who have participated in various WICB activities.

Perspectives
“I joined WICB after having engaged with several influential and inspiring WICB members at networking and mentoring theater events over the years. It was truly an awesome group to be a part of, and later lead! It felt like a very welcoming and understanding community of folks who were all dedicated to making science a better place for everyone, and had advice and support for each other along the way. WICB has been an important part of shaping my philosophy that together we can make change happen. Members of WICB, some of whom are now close friends and colleagues, have been strong mentors and advocates, and helped me grow to become the leader that I am today.”

– Dr. Mary Munson, former WICB co-chair and ASCB President-Elect., Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA USA.

“At this stage of my career, WICB has become a source of community, shared experience, and inspiration. I find myself surrounded by colleagues who not only share my values of fostering an inclusive, creative cell biology community but who are also a lot of fun to work with towards that goal. When I collaborate on WICB projects and programs with these motivated people I ‘get my sunshine’ while also creating meaningful impact. I hope that the programs we run—webinars, panel discussions, round tables, or networking events—are not only educational but also engaging and inspiring for early-career cell biologists. My goal is for them to see new possibilities or discover pathways they hadn’t considered before, and to feel informed and empowered towards achieving their professional goals. I also think WICB is a space where people can see successful role models at different career stages who are thriving in diverse research and teaching environments while staying true to their authentic selves. It’s rewarding to help create an environment where people feel supported and can share their experiences with one another.”

– Dr. Avital Rodal, current WICB member, Professor of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham MA USA

“WICB has helped me connect with cell biologists across the world. With WICB, I feel like I have a community to turn to for advice—be it scientific or career-related. I especially relate to the DEI-focused themes that the WICB programming caters to. I attended the Cell Bio 2023 meeting in Boston last year as a WICB member, and it was a transformative experience to be in a room full of like-minded folks, all working towards making academia more inclusive! Academia can be an isolating place across career stages. WICB could be where you find your community, build long-lasting friendships and collaborations. WICB programming includes webinars and discussions on diverse topics including career advice, reimagining research excellence, and practicing inclusion in research labs. These are often topics of discussion at WICB events at the Annual Meetings too, and I believe these shape the thinking of the current and future generations of cell biologists.”

– Dr. Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan, current WICB member, EMBL Australia Group Leader at Single Molecule Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW AUS.

“As an Assistant Professor, WICB has helped me to interact with a broader array of cell biology faculty at ASCB. It has allowed me to share my experiences and hear from others about how they navigated similar situations across many different career stages. The advice I have received has been instrumental in shaping several of my career decisions. In turn, I feel that I have been able to make valuable mentoring contributions to others as well. The strength of WICB is its ability to support and give voice to scientists across all professional ranks. Since WICB comprises scientists from all career stages it creates a situation where we can learn from one another and share experiences across professional ranks. There have been so many eye-opening and mind-expanding moments that have happened as a result of my interactions during WICB events that surely participants from all career stages would be positively impacted by being a part of this group.”

– Dr. Allyson O’Donnell, current WICB member, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA USA.

“WICB programming has provided me with invaluable mentorship and a sense of community, especially as a woman of color. The mentoring roundtables and workshops provided invaluable opportunities to connect with senior scientists and peers, offering insights that have helped me navigate key career decisions. The inclusive and supportive atmosphere at these events has been a critical source of guidance and inspiration, helping me build confidence and expand my professional network. For researchers at all stages, WICB offers a unique platform for continuous professional development and advocacy. For early-career scientists like myself, it helps demystify the academic and research landscape, while midcareer professionals benefit from leadership development and networking opportunities. Senior scientists can engage as mentors and advocates, helping to shape the future of the field. At every level, WICB fosters an empowering community that supports scientists in achieving career success and promoting diversity and equity within the scientific community.”

– Hijab Fatima, ASCB member (WICB non-member), researcher at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York NY USA.

Closing remarks
As the annual meeting approaches, we hope that this piece encourages ASCB members and ASCB|EMBO Cell Bio annual meeting attendees to consider what role ASCB committees, including WICB, can play in their annual meeting experience and their career
development.

References

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