A Note from Dave’s Desk

Make Your Voice Heard

Dear ASPET Members,

At the ASPET 2025 Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak with dozens of ASPET members. From those many conversations with pharmacologists representing a wide spectrum of career stages, there was one consistent theme: concern over the future of biomedical funding. Essentially every single individual I spoke with mentioned how either they, their lab or their colleagues, were being impacted by the cancellation of federal grants. Because of this concern, I want to highlight this month an essential aspect of ASPET’s mission: advocacy.

In an era where scientific research faces numerous challenges, your voice as a pharmacologist is more critical than ever. Advocating for pharmacology and science ensures that our work continues to receive the support and recognition it deserves. I strongly encourage all ASPET members to use any of the several avenues we have for members to engage in advocacy efforts:

• Washington Fellows Program: This program provides early-career scientists with training in science policy and advocacy, including opportunities to meet with legislative officials and lead policy outreach projects. Applications for the 2025–26 cohort are open until June 30, 2025.
• Science Policy Committee (SPC): The SPC identifies and responds to policy issues affecting pharmacology, proposing statements and engaging in policy and advocacy education outreach. ASPET is also looking for members to either join the SPC or volunteer to help with its efforts.
• Advocacy Resources: ASPET provides resources to help members become effective advocates, including tips on contacting members of Congress, writing op-eds, and engaging with the public. Theses resource, including an easy way to directly email your legislative representatives with just a few clicks, can be found at our Advocacy Resource Center.

Your participation in these initiatives is vital to advancing pharmacology and ensuring that science remains a priority in public policy. Thank you for your continued dedication to our field.

Sincerely,