A Note from Dave’s Desk

ASPET’s Strategic Plan: Professional Home for Pharmacology

Over the last three months, I’ve pointed out key parts of the 2023–2027 ASPET Strategic Plan and how it guides the focus of the Society. After highlighting how the Society serves as the “leading voice promoting the field,” aims to be the “authoritative scientific resource” for pharmacology, and “cultivates an inclusive and diverse culture,” I’ll now turn to the fourth and final Strategic Area of Focus—ASPET serving as the “professional home for pharmacology.”

As we build ASPET as the professional home for pharmacology, we develop ways for our members to make strong and meaningful connections with others in their field through discovery, mentoring, education, communication and advocacy. For nearly a decade, ASPET has proudly offered the Mentoring Network to help graduate students and postdoctoral scientists develop success skills for various careers, including, but not limited to academia, industry, government and policy.

ASPET’s commitment to investing in our mentoring program has expanded to provide options for members throughout the year. That’s why the Society is excited to launch the new MentorMatch program. This program facilitates one-on-one mentoring relationships for ASPET members at all career levels. MentorMatch, powered by Qooper, provides step-by-step instructions, tools for goal setting, career resources and a unique matching algorithm to find the right match for your professional needs. Whether you’re looking to be a mentor or a mentee, I encourage all ASPET members to join today to take the next step toward furthering your career and your journey with ASPET.

Along with growing our focus on mentorship, ASPET is also putting a stronger emphasis on the connections members make with each other to advance their career and share their knowledge. At ASPET, the primary way most members make initial connections with other members is through our Divisions. The divisions are integral to the ASPET experience so we’ve recently established a new task force that will take a deep dive into the division experience so that we can identify ways to make that experience even stronger for our members.

Another area we’re focusing on to make ASPET the professional home for our members is creating a feeling of acceptance, support and belonging for everyone in pharmacology. I discussed previously how ASPET is working to cultivate an inclusive and diverse culture. In addition to those examples of changes, the Society also wants to ensure that pharmacologists from all workplaces feel welcome. That’s why we established the Biotech Task Force this year to understand the member benefits and programs those in industry want from ASPET.

In my nearly three years at ASPET, I’ve been inspired by such a welcoming community we have here. I believe we’re heading in the right direction to further strengthen ASPET’s position as the professional home for all who work in pharmacology.