Dear Friends and Members of ISPNE, 

            One of the reasons I love being a part of ISPNE is because it is an international society, with members from around the world coming together to share their science and develop new collaborations and friendships.  Today, more than ever, I am grateful that our members come from so many diverse backgrounds and nations.  Recently, the United States has seen cultural and political shifts that attempt to devalue and discredit science and scientific knowledge, in ways that endanger scientific research and human health. As scientists, researchers and clinicians our membership not only knows the value of science, but is integral in helping to create a scientific knowledge base that fuels positive decision making, policy and practice, with the goal of protecting and promoting human health and thriving. 

            Those of us in the United States are facing unprecedented challenges to our work such as government research funding freezes and censorship for topics that we choose to investigate, with research.  To name a few examples, research on gender, hormones and behavior has come under attack, as has research on ethnic and racial disparities in stress and health.  I can’t speak for all of our United States based members, but I know that many of us in the Psychoneuroendocrinology community plan to stand firm and active in our pursuit of our scientific questions, despite these challenges.

            Those of you located in other countries, I know many of you also face serious political and budgetary challenges.  For those with the freedom to pursue your science and the capacity to do so, I write to ask for your support and participation to help ISPNE and our cherished scientific community remain strong through the next few years.  Here’s a few ways you can help, if so inclined:

• Please don’t avoid U.S. based scientific meetings. If you want to protest U.S. choices or leadership, protest instead by actively bringing your science to the United States.  We urge you to submit your research and attend our upcoming annual meeting in New Orleans – we hope to make it our largest and most vibrant meeting ever!
• Preclinical scholars:   I particularly want to encourage our preclinical scholars to submit and attend.  Although ISPNE embraces more applied and translational work as well, our preclinical research is the foundation of our society and its knowledge base.
• Scholars from low and middle income countries:  We will be offering reduced rates for your membership and meeting attendance; please reach out if you need further assistance.
• Renew your membership with ISPNE, even if you don’t plan to attend our annual meeting.
• Consider donating to ISPNE, above and beyond your membership fee (your donation is tax-deductible, depending on taxation rules in your country).  We plan to use extra funds to support LMIC scholars and early career scholars.
• Help us locate corporate sponsors and members – if you have built strong relationships with scientific companies through your research that may be interested in becoming an ISPNE sponsor, please let us know.  We deeply appreciate our ongoing and new corporate sponsors. 
• Consider getting actively involved in ISPNE committees, some of which will be involved in active public dissemination of the scientific truths that emerge from our joint research.
• Reach out to us with your ideas on how to make ISPNE an even stronger, more productive and more impactful society.  

In the face of challenge, I am confident that ISPNE members will continue to conduct great science, to support and challenge one another, and to actively distribute their scientific truths in ways that benefit the health of individuals and societies.  Thanks to each and every one of you for your ongoing involvement and support of ISPNE.  I look forward to seeing you in New Orleans! 

Warmly,

Emma Adam

ISPNE President