There is something remarkable and unique about the Puerto Rico Society for Microbiologists. For over 40 years, the Society members, together with the Board have brought their talents together to serve the Puerto Rican community. The fact that this effort has lasted for so long speaks loudly for the total commitment the members have, and it is perhaps one of our greatest strengths.

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is the largest life sciences organization in the world. We are proud that the Puerto Rico Branch of the Society is the largest and one of the most active Branches in our region. We are one of the few that own an office, and our newsletter is one of the finest among all the Branches. We are a non-profit organization and our only income is derived from your membership, activities, industry sponsors and exhibitors. Our Society has been recognized for its leadership in the Microbiology Field, for its long history and because our activities have successfully been carried out with an almost unimaginably low budget.

Whatever the reasons for not participating in our activities in the past years, we invite you to evaluate the many activities that are being planned for the future. We are also preparing a new exciting WebPage with more options, links to related information and service to our members, and one that will serve the academic as well as the industrial communities.

This year is the prelude to our 50th Anniversary for which we will have a final celebration in the summer of 2007. So we expect and hope to be the focal point of every microbiological discipline in Puerto Rico.

I am proud to be the President of this prestigious Society. I urge you to join our exceptional group of members, to help us realize our goals in this coming year.

Miguel Urdaneta
President