As the dizzying array of Executive Orders, tweets, memos, and freezes on federally funded science continue to emerge from the White House, ASCB has responded with a series of grassroots advocacy alerts providing information and scripts on how ASCB members can contact their members of Congress to explain what these decisions will mean for American science.

Since the defense of federally funded science will need to be a marathon and not a sprint, ASCB is also expanding its virtual advocacy program started last year. This expanded program will provide local advocacy opportunities and also advocacy training for ASCB members.

ASCB will also conduct a series of advocacy training sessions for our members throughout the year. Every scientist needs to be able to explain their research in an easy-to-understand style. The four sessions will help members sharpen their Two Minute Speech with each session led by fellow scientists with experience explaining research to the public and to Congress—Elevator Pitch Mastery: Communicating Your Science in 2 Minutes or Less. These events are free and ASCB Member only webinars.

Upcoming Events

March 21, 2025
Session Leader: Holly Goodson, Professor, Associate Dean, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame

May 15, 2025
Session Leader: Gary Gorbsky, Professor and Program Chair, Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology Research Program, W.H. and Betty Phelps Chair in Developmental Biology, Adjunct Professor, Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

July 16, 2025
Session Leader: Connie Lee, Associate Dean for Basic Science, The University of Chicago

September 17, 2025
Session Leader: Soni Lacefield, Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dept. of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Dartmouth