American Physiological Society

American Physiological Society. Founded in 1887, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious organizations in the United States dedicated to fostering education, scientific inquiry, and the dissemination of knowledge in the life sciences. The society plays a leading role in connecting physiology with related disciplines such as pharmacology, biochemistry, and cell biology. With a global membership, it supports researchers, educators, and students through its publications, conferences, and advocacy efforts, significantly advancing the understanding of how living systems function.

History

The society was established in 1887 by a group of 28 scientists, with William T. Porter of Harvard University serving as a key founder and its first secretary. Its early meetings were often held in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the first independent meeting took place in 1902 in New Haven, Connecticut. A pivotal moment in its history was the 1898 establishment of the American Journal of Physiology, which provided a critical platform for physiological research in North America. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its scope, founding numerous specialized journals and playing an instrumental role during World War II in research related to aviation medicine and environmental physiology. The society moved its headquarters from Bethesda, Maryland to its current location in Rockville, Maryland in 2005.

Organization and governance

Governance is vested in a Council elected by the membership, which includes the President, President-elect, Past President, and twelve Councillors. The operational management is led by an executive director and a professional staff at the headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. The society is structured into numerous specialized sections, such as the Cardiovascular Section, Neural Control and Autonomic Regulation Section, and the Teaching of Physiology Section, which reflect the breadth of the discipline. Key committees, including the Publications Committee and the Education Committee, oversee major strategic initiatives and report directly to the Council.

Publications

It maintains a robust portfolio of peer-reviewed scientific journals that are highly influential in the field. Its flagship title, the American Journal of Physiology, is published as a series of seven sub-journals, each focusing on a specific organ system like the AJP-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. Other major titles include the Journal of Applied Physiology, Physiological Reviews, and Physiological Genomics. In 2011, it launched the open-access journal Physiological Reports. These publications are produced in partnership with publishers and are accessible through platforms like PubMed Central and the HighWire Press.

Meetings and events

The premier annual gathering is the Experimental Biology meeting, a large interdisciplinary conference held in collaboration with other societies like the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the American Society for Investigative Pathology. It also organizes several focused topical conferences, such as the Physiology in Focus series and the Environmental, Exercise and Thermal Physiology meeting. These events, held in locations like San Diego and Philadelphia, feature keynote lectures from renowned scientists like Frances Ashcroft and Peter Ratcliffe, and provide forums for presenting research through poster sessions and symposia.

Awards and honors

The society administers a comprehensive awards program to recognize excellence at all career stages. Its highest honor is the Carl Ludwig Distinguished Lecture Award. Other prestigious awards include the Walter B. Cannon Memorial Award for lifetime achievement, the Henry Pickering Bowditch Memorial Award for early-career scientists, and the Arthur C. Guyton Award for excellence in integrative physiology. It also bestows teaching awards, such as the Claude Bernard Distinguished Lecturer award, and provides numerous research fellowships and travel grants to support trainees and young investigators.

Advocacy and public outreach

Engagement in science policy is a major focus, with efforts coordinated through its office in Washington, D.C. to advocate for sustained funding for agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Public outreach initiatives include the Physiology Understanding Week program for K-12 students and resources for educators. The society also partners with organizations like the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology on broader advocacy campaigns and provides trusted information on physiological topics to the media and public through its expert network.