The Netherlands Society Report

REPORT 2003

The Netherlands' Society for Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering is the most important national organization of biophysicists and biomedical scientists in the Netherlands. The Society has 516 members (as of December 31, 2003). The goal of the Society (article 3 of its constitution) is: "to promote Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering in the Netherlands". The society is organizing activities to develop and strengthen the physics and engineering aspects of biomedical research and education. The main means are to bring together researchers working in a common area, and to stimulate the scientific discussion and exchange. Precursors of the present Society were the Dutch Foundation for Biophysics (founded 4 March 1933) and the Dutch Society for Biophysics. Since March 2000 the Society has been known by present name. The Society covers a wide field of scientific interests, and is structured around four divisions, each subdivided into several sections:

Division of Organ Physics
Section Heart and Circulation
Section Pulmonary Function
Section Physics of Breathing

Division of Cellular and Molecular Physics
Section Molecular Biophysics
Section Transport and Biomembranes
Section Cellular Biophysics
Section Electrophysiology
Section Vital Cell Imaging

Division of Neurophysics
Section Auditory System
Section Motor Control
Section Ophthalmological Physics
Section Visual Informatics

Division of Technical Biophysics
Section Biomedical Engineering
Section Biomedical Optics

Activities include:

Scientific meetings The Society organizes many scientific meetings at both division and section levels. These meetings form the core business of the Society.

Day of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering. Once every two years the Day of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering is organized. This meeting, for all Society members, features parallel sessions for every Division in the morning, and a plenary session in the afternoon.

Prize for the best PhD thesis. The Society has established a bi-annual prize for the best PhD thesis in the field of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, amounting € 2250. This prize is awarded on the Day of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering.

Representations
The Society is represented at, and cooperates with, a number of national and international organizations:

Commission for Biochemistry and Biophysics (CBB KNAW)
International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB) (through the CBB KNAW)
International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering (IFMBE)
European Biophysical Societies Association (EBSA), a regional organization of the IUPAB (International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics), IUPAB is a member ('scientific union member') of the ICSU (International Council of Scientific Unions), KNAW (Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences) is an 'adhering body' of the IUPAB.

Newsletter
All members of the Society receive the Email Newsletter, with announcements and messages for the Biophysical and Biomedical Engineering community in the Netherlands.

Major Scientific activities in 2003
27-28 October: iBME Days, Papendal, Arnhem
31 October: Farewell Symposium Prof. Henk Spekreijse, IOI, Amsterdam.
28 November: Day of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering 2003, Amsterdam.

Dr. Peter Kerkhof
secretaris@vvb-bmt.nl