The American Society for Photobiology (ASP) is a scientific society for the promotion of research in photobiology

Photobiology

Photobiology is the scientific study of the interactions of light and living organisms. The field includes the study of photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, visual processing, circadian rhythms, bioluminescence, and ultraviolet radiation effects...

, integration of different photobiology disciplines, dissemination of photobiology knowledge, and provides information on photobiological aspects of national and international issues.

History

The society was formed in 1972 and held its inaugural meeting on Sunday June 10 1973 in Sarasota, Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

 under the presidency of founder Kendrick C. Smith.

Publications

The society publishes Photochemistry and Photobiology

Photochemistry and Photobiology

Photochemistry and Photobiology is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original research papers, rapid communications, research notes, technical notes, invited articles, and reviews covering photochemistry and photobiology...

as its official journal. Other publications include the free online textbook, Photobiological Sciences Online.

Meetings

The society met annually from its formation until 2004 and has met biennially since then.

Awards

The society awards a number of prizes at its meetings including the ASP Research Award, the ASP New Investigator Award, the ASP Photon Award and the ASP Lifetime Achievement Award. Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include John Woodland Hastings

John Woodland Hastings

John Woodland “Woody” Hastings, PhD., born March 24, 1927 in Maryland, is a leader in the field of photobiology, especially bioluminescence, and is one of the founders of the field of circadian biology . He is the Paul C. Mangelsdorf Professor of Natural Sciences and Professor of Molecular and...

, Pill-Soon Song

Pill-Soon Song

Pill-Soon Song is a professor in Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea. Song specializes in molecular photobiology. He worked on the structure-function relation of phytochromes and other photoreceptors including stentorin and blepharismin...

, and Margaret Kripke.