Dr Gözen is head of the Bionanotechnology and Membrane Systems Group. In January 2021, it was announced that she had been selected as an ambassador as part of the Biophysical Society’s (BPS) inaugural Ambassador Programme.
Dr. Gözen comments, “Aside from being great recognition for me and my group, the role is also great recognition for the standard of research taking place at NCMM and the Faculty of Medicine, UiO. Being an ambassador will help to build on Norway’s status within the biophysics community and provide the Biophysical Society with great opportunities for networking and collaboration in the region.
“Being an ambassador will also mean that I am involved in outreach activities, such as organising meetings and events in the Nordic region and regularly contributing to the BPS’ blog – all things that I’m really looking forward to doing."
The BPS is the largest biophysical community in the world and to become their first Nordic ambassador is very exciting.
BPS Ambassadors are selected from amongst the Society’s members. They come from all over the globe and represent biophysics, scientific research, and information in their home countries for a three-year term. Dr Gözen was selected alongside scientists from Turkey, Argentina, the UK, Canada, Portugal, India, and Malaysia.
Dr. Gözen was interviewed about what drove her to apply for the programme and what she hopes to achieve as part of her role as an ambassador.
What led you to apply for the BPS Ambassador Program?
I became a member of the Biophysical Society in 2010 during my PhD studies, and have been attending the annual BPS meetings since then. At the meetings I receive encouragement and critical feedback, and build a network with biophysics experts from all over the world. I want to strengthen biophysics in the Nordic Region, bring researchers closer together, and visibly promote science in the interest of the biophysics community worldwide.
What are your Ambassador Program goals?
With support of the BPS Ambassador program I will work towards strengthening the connections between the biophysics communities in the United States and the Scandinavian region. I am planning activities and organizing workshops, especially encouraging female scientists in STEM, and on evaluating and commenting on research trends, publishing regularly for audiences of various backgrounds, and establishing links to administrative and funding bodies in Norway.
Tell us something fun about yourself?
I enjoy combining high resolution optical micrographs with collage art. Images from my group have been showcased on journal covers, and recently in an exhibition in a contemporary art gallery in Oslo.
You can read interviews with the other Biophysical Society members and learn more about the society in their latest bulletin, available online: https://biophysics.cld.bz/Biophysical-Society-Bulletin-January-2021
NCMM warmly congratulates Dr. Gözen on her appointment, and looks forward to sharing more news from the BPS in the future.