Sally Howells
Managing Editor, The Journal of Physiology

https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.98.14

7–11 February 2015,
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, USA

We had been warned to wrap up warm for our trip to the east coast of the USA in February, and we did just that, and were very lucky to have avoided the record-breaking snowfall that had caused havoc around the Boston area. We were quite pleased that the temperature was a positively balmy 2 degrees!

As with all our meetings we book our stand to ensure we have a prime location to attract passing would-be authors. This year was no exception, with the stand being situated by a busy thoroughfare and interesting posters.

Our main aim when attending conferences is to attract authors and top-quality submissions. In fact, one delegate even asked me why we were exhibiting. When I told him, he said ‘But you’re The Journal of Physiology, you don’t need to advertise!’ Nice words indeed, but with the growing number of journals available from which authors can pick, we cannot rest on our laurels and hope that The Journal’s past prestige will mean that we remain as well-known as we have been to date. It is highly important that we target the next generation of physiologist to ensure continued success.

A steady stream of scientists came to chat to us about the benefits of submitting to The Journal, and how their research might fit within our scope. As with past years we were able to highlight our best biophysics content by way of a virtual issue. Also of great interest was the 15 January issue which was dedicated to commemorating 100 years since the first female members were accepted into The Society. This issue also featured a Topical Review article by Consulting Editor Carol Robinson, which also provided us with a very appropriate cover image for display at this biophysics meeting.

Delegates were also interested to see some of our historical content on show. Information sheets on Nobel Prize winners and links to our Historical Interviews complemented our display of three top papers from our past – notably the Fatt and Katz paper from 1952 – it seemed that every delegate had read that paper!

Several of our loyal reviewers and authors stopped by the stand to say hello, as did some of The Journal’s Reviewing and Senior Editors. It was nice to catch up over dinner and discuss future plans for development in this very important research area for The Journal.

All in all, Biophysics 2014 was a great success and we are certainly becoming a familiar face at this well-attended meeting. It’s nice to hear that we are continuing to fulfil our reputation as the natural home of biophysics.

Next year we are looking forward to taking slightly fewer layers with us to Los Angeles for the 60^th Annual meeting.