Working in partnership with the Board of Directors, the CEO and staff, COMS keeps a pulse on new developments in microbial sciences and helps develop innovative ways to move the field and ASM forward. COMS supports ASM by:
- Setting priorities for the Society.
- Identifying upcoming opportunities in the microbial sciences.
- Identifying scientific trends to ensure effective programs and activities.
The COMS Members
Led by a Chair and Vice Chair elected by COMS members, every part of ASM is represented on COMS:- 10 At-Large Councilors elected by the ASM membership.
- 35 Councilors selected by the ASM Branches.
- 27 Councilors selected by ASM Divisions.
- 8 additional Division Councilors.
- 8 Program Committee Chairs.
- 7 nonvoting members: 5 ASM officers, the ASM CEO and the Governors of the Academy Chair.
Announcements
ASM Conference Grant Program - COMS 2019-2020 Chair Michael Schmidt is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 Conference Grants program. This year, COMS awarded $47,000 to support six (6) meetings and conferences on topics spanning pseudomonas, microbial metabarcoding, and how COVID-19’s effects on tribal communities can further educate on emerging infections, among other research areas. Grants of $5,000 to $10,000 were awarded to institutions from Tsaile, Arizona, to Karachi, Pakistan. Please visit the ASM Conference Grant Program webpage (link above) for the full list of recipients.
In response to feedback from members about the status of the small conferences, COMS launched the Conference Grant Program in 2018 to support members in hosting in-person gatherings and events. The program has provided funds for 44 conferences to date, all benefitting ASM as an organization and its members. COMS is thrilled to be able to support both new and continuing conferences that cover the breadth of microbiology.
Peggy Cotter Travel Awards Early Career Branch Members