About the ISCBSC

The ISCB Student Council (ISCBSC) is a global organization dedicated to supporting students and early-career researchers in computational biology and bioinformatics. Operating under the umbrella of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB), the ISCBSC focuses on fostering collaboration, professional development, and community engagement. It organizes events like symposia, workshops, and networking sessions at major conferences such as ISMB (Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology) and ECCB (European Conference on Computational Biology). Additionally, the ISCBSC provides mentorship programs, educational resources, and career development opportunities, including travel fellowships and awards, to help students advance in the field.

The ISCB itself is a leading professional society that promotes the understanding and application of computational biology worldwide. It supports research, education, and training in the field through conferences, publications, and initiatives like the ISCBSC. The ISCB also advocates for the integration of computational methods into biological research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

A key initiative of the ISCBSC is the establishment of Regional Student Groups (RSGs), which are local chapters that connect students and early-career researchers within specific geographic areas. RSGs organize regional events, workshops, and networking opportunities, making computational biology more accessible and fostering a sense of community. These groups are supported by the ISCBSC’s Central Committees, which oversee various initiatives such as education, outreach, and career development. Together, the ISCBSC, ISCB, RSGs, and Central Committees create a robust ecosystem that empowers the next generation of computational biologists.

image (1)

Structure and governance

You can think of our Regional Student Groups (RSGs) as the beating heart of our organization. They play a key role in spreading the word and connecting computational biology and bioinformatics researchers at the local level.

But science doesn't happen in isolation!
The ISCB Student Council also has central committees and an Executive Team that support the RSGs, coordinate international initiatives, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Below, you’ll find a schematic overview of how we’re structured, and if you want to know more about the awesome people involved, check out Organisation page!

ISCBSC_Flowchart

List of acronyms

If you get confused by all these acronyms (there are quite a few), here’s a handy list to help you navigate the world of the ISCB and its initiatives:

  • ISCB: International Society for Computational Biology – the parent organization promoting computational biology globally.
  • ISCB Student Council (ISCBSC): The student-focused branch of ISCB, supporting students and early-career researchers.
  • RSG: Regional Student Group – local chapters of the ISCBSC that organize events and activities in specific regions.
  • ISMB: Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology
  • Student Council Symposium (SCS): An annual symposium organized by the ISCBSC, held alongside major conferences ISMB and ISMB/ECCB.
  • ECCB: European Conference on Computational Biology
  • European Student Council Symposium (ESCS): A regional symposium focused on students and early-career researchers in Europe. It precedes ECCB.
  • LA-SCS: Latin American Student Council Symposium – a regional event for the Latin American computational biology community.
  • AfSCS: African Student Council Symposium – a symposium dedicated to students and researchers in Africa.
  • A-SCS: Asian Student Council Symposium – a regional event for the Asian computational biology community.
  • ET: Executive Team – the leadership group of the ISCBSC, responsible for guiding its initiatives and operations.

Activities

We actively organize symposia, workshops, webinars, and internships — both internationally and locally through our Regional Student Groups (RSGs).
Did you know we even have a podcast?

Everything we do is aimed at promoting computational biology and bioinformatics, and helping early-career researchers connect with their peers.

Below are a few atmospheric snapshots — but don’t forget to check out our Initiatives page for the full picture!

If you still can’t get enough of our initiatives and want to dive deeper, feel free to explore our publications (links to our Google Scholar account) from the past decade. They offer an even more complete picture of who we are and what we do!

SCS2023 at Lyon