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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Society for Microbiology | 1/2 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Society_for_Microbiology | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T14:29:26.574920+00:00 | kb-cron |
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM), originally the Society of American Bacteriologists, is a professional organization for scientists who study viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa as well as other aspects of microbiology. It was founded in 1899. The Society publishes a variety of scientific journals, textbooks, and other educational materials related to microbiology and infectious diseases. ASM organizes annual meetings, as well as workshops and professional development opportunities for its members.
== History == ASM was founded in 1899 under the name the "Society of American Bacteriologists." In December 1960, it was renamed the "American Society for Microbiology."
== Mission == ASM's mission is "to promote and advance the microbial sciences." The society seeks to accomplish this mission through:
Publishing highly cited publications Running multi-disciplinary meetings Deploying resources and expertise around the world Advocating for scientific research Fostering a deeper public understanding of microbiology
== Membership == ASM has more than 36,000 members, including researchers, educators and health professionals. Membership is open to all and is offered at a discounted rate to students, postdoctoral fellows and emeritus faculty. Members pay annual dues to support the activities of ASM. ASM's newest Clinical Lab Scientist membership category was established in 2019. ASM provides professional development opportunities and supports microbiology professionals through 60 fellowships and 300 travel awards, webinars, conferences, workshops, networking opportunities, continuing education and honorific awards.
== Meetings ==
ASM hosts meetings and conferences, including the annual meeting ASM Microbe, that provide forums to explore microbiology topics. ASM Microbe, a combination of what was formerly the ASM General Meeting and the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, includes sessions in eight specialty tracks:
Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance Applied and Environmental Science Clinical Infections and Vaccines Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Host-Microbe Biology Molecular Biology and Physiology Profession of Microbiology Other ASM meetings and conferences cater to narrower audiences, including: ASM Biothreats (formerly ASM Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research) which focuses on biodefense and emerging diseases, the Clinical Virology Symposium which focuses on viral infections, the Conference for Undergraduate Educators which focuses on biology education at the undergraduate level and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students which highlights microbiology research from underrepresented populations.
== Publications == ASM publishes 18 journals. ASM accepts format-neutral submissions for all primary research journals since 2018. ASM's open-access journals are:
mBio mSphere mSystems Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education Other ASM journals include:
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Applied and Environmental Microbiology Clinical and Vaccine Immunology Clinical Microbiology Reviews EcoSal Plus Eukaryotic Cell Microbiology Resource Announcements Infection and Immunity Journal of Bacteriology Journal of Clinical Microbiology Journal of Virology Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews Microbiology Spectrum Molecular and Cellular Biology The society also publishes Microcosm, a quarterly news magazine for members. Through its publishing arm ASM Press, the society publishes books covering diverse topics. Wiley is co-publisher and distributor of the ASM Press books and ebooks.
== American Academy of Microbiology == The American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) is the honorific leadership group within the American Society of Microbiology, a professional organization for microbiologists. The academy is currently composed of over 2,600 Fellows. The mission of the academy is to "recognize outstanding contributions provided by microbiologists and to provide microbiological expertise to both the wider scientific community and the public." Activities of the academy include electing new members, convening colloquia, and managing the ASM Awards and Prize program. Academy leadership is divided into four groups: the Academy Governors, the Academy Leadership Nominating Subcommittee, the Subcommittee on Awards, and the Subcommittee on Elections.
=== Origins === The AAM was first proposed in 1956. The original organization was dissolved in 1970, when new bylaws were accepted.
=== Members === The AAM elects a new class each year. As of 2020, each year 65 new members are elected. That number has fluctuated historically to as many as 110. Membership is not exclusive to American residents, and indeed 19% of members currently live outside the U.S. The 2021 class of Fellows included representatives of 11 countries, including France. In 2021, there were 150 nominations, and 130 nominations the following year. The call for nominations begins in August. Only current AAM fellows can nominate a new fellow, and that nomination must be supported by at least two other AAM fellows. Candidates cannot apply for fellowship directly, but can reach out to current fellows to seek nomination. The nomination deadline is in October. The Sub-committee of Elections and the Academy Governors, which are composed of AAM members elected by the entire AAM membership, then vote to approve of the nominations. Members of the AAM are elected through an annual peer-reviewed process based on their records of scientific achievements that have advanced microbiology. The academy administers ASM scientific achievement awards that honor important contributions to basic and applied research, microbiology education, and scientific and professional leadership. There is no limit to the number of times a person can be nominated, nor an age limit for nomination. Notable academy members include Anthony Fauci (former director of the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Disease) and Rita Colwell (former director of the National Science Foundation).
=== Activities === The AAM holds colloquia, sometimes in conjunction with other scientific societies, on topics pertinent to public interests and the expertises of its members. Topics include climate change, One Health, and clinical diagnostics. Reports from the colloquia are made publicly available. In addition to communicating via colloquium reports, mBio, a journal launched by ASM in 2009, offers an ‘AAM track’ where AAM members are allowed to submit one manuscript per year. Fellows are required to submit two reviews per submission, make modifications that address the reviewers’ comments, then submit the revised version to the mBio editors. However, submission does not guarantee acceptance. The AAM also selects an Honorary Diversity Lecturer. This award, aimed to attract more under-represented minorities to the field, is given to a mid-to-senior level scientist who is both highly accomplished and an "outstanding" speaker.