Committee Members
Bryan Mounce, Chair (2026) 
Priya Shah, Co-Chair (2028)		 Emmanuella Aquri (2028)
Patrick Creisher (2026)
Ashley Johnson (2028)
Joseph Mattapallil (2028)

 Esosa Omorogbe (2026)
Caroline Plescia (2028)
Angela Rasmussen (2028)
Megan Stanifer (2028)
The ASV Communications Committee is excited to reintroduce ourselves and highlight the ways we help connect the virology community. Our committee manages the Society’s outreach and communication efforts across platforms, including maintaining ASV’s social media presence. We have active accounts on LinkedIn, Bluesky (@amersocvirology.bsky.social), and X (@AmerSocVirol). We also support other committees in communicating their work - including by helping develop and promote webinars that address topics our members care about most. We also staff the Communications Table at the annual ASV meeting, where members can learn about Society initiatives, get help amplifying their own science, share ideas for how ASV can better engage the virology community, and even pick up some cute virus stickers.
 
  We are thrilled to launch a new ASV newsletter, designed to spotlight the latest in virology, showcase member achievements, and share important updates from the Society. Through regular features, behind-the-scenes looks at ASV activities, highlights from our committees and meetings, and coverage of our newest initiatives, we hope to strengthen connections, build community, and celebrate the breadth of work happening in virology.
  The ASV Communications Committee is driven by a group of individuals dedicated to scientific outreach and communication at all levels. Our committee is led by co-chairs Drs. Bryan Mounce from Loyola University Chicago and Priya Shah from the University of California - Davis. We have a vibrant group of individuals that contribute to our committee, from diverse backgrounds and career levels. Patrick Creisher, Esosa Omorogbe, and Caroline Plescia are active with running social media. Ashley Johnson, Megan Stanifer, and Angela Rasmussen have jump-started our Society’s newsletter. Joseph Mattapallil has been active with developing webinars that serve our community. We are a dynamic group that is dedicated to enhancing virology communication in all of its forms.We are also working with other ASV Committees to increase communication with our members throughout the year through webinars. Let us know what kind of webinars you would find useful by filling out our webinar survey. It can be found in the member portal. 

 




 

 And the newsletter is just the start! We have a lot brewing for the future. ASV has a unique opportunity to advocate for our members by informing the public about the importance of virology research. A major long-term initiative for ASV Communications is to increase communication with the general public. In the past, this might have involved writing editorials or sitting for interviews with newspapers or TV networks. However, Americans are increasingly getting their information from non-traditional sources. Our goal is to reach the public where they are – on social media and through easily digestible short-form videos. 

We know that having an impact will take time and investment, and we are laying the groundwork for this communication initiative. Caroline Plescia is helping us expand our social media into new spaces such as Instagram and YouTube. We will cultivate ASV’s public presence through grass roots efforts, including online video abstract competitions and communications workshops designed to give our members the tools they need to reach the public. Stay tuned to see this communications initiative develop!