A Retrospective Look at 20 Years of ASM Education Programs (1990-2010) and a Prospective Look at the Next 20 Years (2011-2030)

Abstract

The Education Board of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) was established in the mid-1970s to address the graduate and medical education needs of ASM members. Since then, I have watched our offerings evolve from a small, graduate-level travel grant program for ASM meetings to a growing suite of professional development and networking opportunities including fellowships, publications, and conferences. Along the way, our audience has expanded from  graduate students to undergraduate biology and K-12 teachers, students of all ages, researchers, and the public.

I have been fortunate enough to watch several pivotal programs and projects support our growth and change the status quo by providing opportunities for biology educators to flourish. These include the: (i) Coalition for Education in the Life Sciences, (ii) ASM Division on Microbiology Education, (iii) ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators, (iv) ASM Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, and (v) ASM Fellowship Fund. In this review, the background and details I offer on each initiative help explain ASM Education offerings, how our growth has been supported, and where are we headed.