Midwestern University Professor Elected President of Scientific Society
Dr. Michael Fay takes on international leadership role as President of the Society for In Vitro Biology
Dr. Fay will serve as President of the Society for In Vitro Biology through 2028.
Michael J. Fay, Ph.D., Professor, Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies at Midwestern University Downers Grove Campus, has begun a two-year term as President of the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB), an international scientific organization dedicated to advancing biotechnology research and supporting the next generation of scientists.
Founded in 1946, the Society brings together researchers from academia, industry, and government to advance the study of cells, tissues, and organs. Its two scientific sections, Plant Biotechnology and In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences, reflect a multidisciplinary approach.
“As SIVB president, I am leading an organization that is committed to advancing science and biotechnology. In the MWU Biomedical Sciences Program, we educate students on the importance of scientific research and biotechnology and how it integrates into future careers in the health professions,” Dr. Fay said. “With a focus on both plant and animal research, the society incorporates a One Health approach emphasized by Midwestern University.”
Advancing Scientific Research and Biotechnology
As President, Dr. Fay will work with the Society’s Board of Directors and committees to guide its scientific and educational initiatives, oversee its two peer-reviewed journals, and help plan its annual In Vitro Biology Meeting.
“During my two-year term as SIVB president, I will continue to support and expand the SIVB initiatives to promote the professional development of students, postdocs, and early-career scientists,” he said.
Dr. Fay’s research also reflects the Society's scientific mission. “My research focuses on cadmium, which is an environmental pollutant that accumulates in both plants and animals. In alignment with the SIVB, we use in vitro research models to study the cellular and molecular events associated with cadmium toxicity.”
Supporting the Next Generation of Scientists
A central priority of SIVB is supporting students and early-career scientists through research presentation opportunities, travel awards, professional development workshops, and mentoring programs. These initiatives include the Society's MATCH (Mentoring and Talent Cultivation Hub) program, which connects students and postdoctoral researchers with mentors to support their professional growth.
“The Society for In Vitro Biology prioritizes the professional development of students and postdocs because they are the future of science and biotechnology,” Dr. Fay stated.
Dr. Fay will serve as SIVB President through 2028, helping guide the organization's efforts to advance scientific discovery, foster collaboration, and develop future leaders in biotechnology.
