President's Message
July 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As we turn the page on another successful annual meeting—this time in the beautiful and historic city of Bordeaux—I want to begin by extending my warmest thanks to our outgoing President, Dr. Lucile Capuron. Under her leadership, the meeting was a tremendous success, filled with intellectually engaging talks, vibrant and thought-provoking poster sessions, and a closing banquet that was gorgeous and fun.
It is with deep gratitude and profound sense of responsibility that I step into the role of PNIRS’s 31st President. I am proud to be the 11th woman and the first Latina to hold this position. This moment is particularly meaningful to me, as my journey with the Society began over two decades ago as a young postdoctoral trainee at the 2002 meeting in Madison, Wisconsin. From that very first experience, I felt something unique: not just scientific alignment, but a warm and generous community that welcomed me with open arms. I knew then that this would be my forever Society.
One of my earliest and most formative experiences was participating in a trainee workshop where I delivered a ten-minute talk to Keith Kelley and Raz Yirmiya—two towering figures in our field—scientists as respected as they were intimidating. It was equal parts terrifying and transformative. The fact that these globally recognized experts took time to mentor and invest in trainees like myself left a lasting impression. That spirit of mentorship has been a defining feature of the Society from the beginning. Over the years, I’ve witnessed—and personally benefited from—the commitment our members have shown to nurturing the next generation of scientists. This dedication to training and sponsorship has helped shape not only scientific careers but also lifelong friendships and collaborations.
Indeed, it is through our Annual Meetings that I have formed dozens of professional relationships and trusted friendships, many of which have now spanned over 20 years. These conferences have consistently been a source of growth, inspiration, and connection. As many of you know, one of the unique strengths of our Society is its relatively small size, which creates an environment where you might find yourself sharing an elevator with your scientific hero, meeting your future postdoc advisor over coffee, or striking up a collaboration at the hotel bar. These serendipitous encounters are part of what make our community so special.
As I look ahead to my term as President, my primary goal is to preserve and uphold the core values and mission of the Society. I want to ensure that the opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and scientific exchange that have been so meaningful to me continue to be accessible to all members, old and new.
In addition, I hope to foster modest growth in our membership—enough to welcome those who share our values and vision, while maintaining the close-knit, collegial atmosphere we all treasure. I am especially committed to expanding our reach to institutions in the Asia-Pacific region and throughout the Ibero- and Latin American scientific communities, where we have already begun building strong and mutually beneficial connections.
In my many years on the Membership Committee, we have made it a priority to enhance the value of PNIRS membership. I am pleased to announce that we have now secured a 25% discount with Elsevier for regular members on open access publication fees for our Society journals. This translates to savings of $1,420 USD for Brain Behavior and Immunity (BBI), $722.50 USD for BBI-Health and $321 USD BBI-Integrative—benefits that far exceed the cost of membership. Additionally, we will be implementing reduced conference registration and membership fees for colleagues from low- and middle-income countries to ensure broader and more equitable access to our programs.
I am delighted to share that our next Annual Meeting will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana—a city known for its vibrant culture, exquisite cuisine, and warm hospitality. I very much hope to see as many of you there as possible. Given the current political climate and potential challenges facing international travel to the U.S., please know that PNIRS Central Office and I are committed to doing everything we can (e.g. writing invitation letters for obtaining a visa) to facilitate travel for our international colleagues.
Finally, I want to recognize and thank the PNIRS Central Office team, the members of our Board of Directors, and the many volunteers who serve on our eight standing committees, and two global outreach initiatives. Their dedication, thoughtfulness, and vision are the engine behind the Society’s continued success. If you would like to serve on any of these committees, please reach out to me directly.
Thank you for your trust and support. I look forward to serving you and working together to ensure that our Society remains a dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring home for all who believe in the power of science and community.
Best regards,
Ruth Barrientos, PhD
PNIRS President 2025-2026
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