Reflecting on Leadership: An inspiring interview with Azadeh Peyman on her final year as President of BioEM

Supporting Students and Young Researchers

In bringing a human touch to a field as technical as bioelectromagnetics, Azadeh envisions empathy and inclusivity in shaping the future of BioEM such as initiatives that prioritize mentorship, healthy collaboration and avoidance of toxic competitions. “I was very pleased to see so many students and young scientists forming friendship and strong bonds over coffee and lunch breaks, not to mention the student ice breaker event!”

Azadeh’s passion for nurturing the next generation of scientists is evident in her initiatives aimed at supporting students and young researchers. “One of my primary goals has been to create opportunities for young minds to thrive,” she shares. “We’ve introduced scientific missions for young researchers, and workshops specifically designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the field of bioelectromagnetics.”

Diversity and inclusion

Azadeh has been an advocate to secure fixed positions on scientific mission grants specifically aimed at researchers from low-middle income countries, who often find it challenging to compete for funding with their counterparts from high-income countries. “There are a large number of talented young scientists across the globe, who have been underrepresented due to several challenges, including geopolitical issues, and I am determined that they get opportunities to thrive in the field of bioelectromagnetics”.

Redefining success in science

The BioEM Society already recognizes young researchers through its Young Scientist Award, but there’s growing momentum to rethink how excellence is defined, especially for early-career scientists. Azadeh advocates for moving beyond metrics like publication count to value impact, collaboration, and ethical responsibility. She believes, mentorship and community building, open science and transparency, societal and policy impact, collaborative and interdisciplinary work are examples of new metrics that can be used in rewarding young scientists.

Fostering Collaboration and Engagement

Under Azadeh’s leadership, BioEM has seen a significant increase in collaborative efforts. “I believe that the best ideas come from diverse minds working together and this was evident at Rennes this week,” she says. “I’m so pleased with BioEM 2025, the engagement especially experienced researchers sharing their knowledge.” The interdisciplinary collaboration has also been very much recognised this year, by the winning of the most prestigious BioEM D’Arsonval award by Prof. Martin Roosli, the first ever epidemiologist to win the award.  Azadeh believes that this award highlights the fusion of physics, engineering, biology, and public health—a model for tackling complex challenges like EMF exposure and health outcomes. “It encourages cross-pollination: physicists learning from epidemiologists, and vice versa, to co-create more robust methodologies. It also reflects the importance of epidemiology which allows for real-world exposure assessment, risk modelling, and public health relevance—bridging lab science with societal impact.”

Improved communication

Under Azadeh’s leadership we witness a significant increase in society’s visibility in various outlets including social media. “I believe our members have put their trust on us to run the society, and they have every right to see how things are done behind the scenes.” Short video clips on the function of board of directors committees, have been received very well by the community.

We were very lucky when our friend and colleague Michal Cifra offered to produce tailor made posts on LinkedIn to promote the bioelectromagnetic journal publications, increasing the reach to both academic and non-academic audiences, real time engagement and author visibility.

Recognising the great researchers and growing the BioEM Community

Azadeh’s vision for BioEM extends beyond her presidency. “My aim has always been to create a sustainable and thriving research community,” she explains. “We’ve focused on expanding our membership base, enhancing our online presence, and building partnerships with international organizations. By doing so, we’ve been able to attract more researchers to our community and provide them with the resources they need to advance their work.”

Mourning loss of a friend and colleague

This year we lost a very dear friend and amazing researcher Dr. Alexandre Legros.  His commitment to BioEM has been outstanding over many years, especially nurturing young researchers.

“In a field driven by data and discovery, Alex reminded us that science is ultimately a human endeavour. His brilliance was matched only by his kindness—whether he was mentoring a student, organizing a conference, or simply sharing a quiet laugh after a long day.”

In memory of Alex, and in recognition of his commitment to mentoring young scientists and fostering international scientific exchange, the BioEM Board of Directors has established the Alexandre Legros Travel Support. This initiative aims to encourage promising students to actively participate in the BioEM annual meetings. “Alex’s legacy isn’t just in the papers he published or the roles he held. It’s in the culture of compassion he helped build. We carry him forward in every act of mentorship, every moment of humility, every choice to put people first.”

As Azadeh Peyman prepares to pass the torch during BioEM2026 Cairns, her legacy of applying the human touch to leadership will undoubtedly continue to inspire and shape the future of BioEM. Her dedication to supporting students and young researchers, fostering collaboration and engagement, and growing the BioEM research community has set a high standard for future leaders to follow.

Join us in celebrating Azadeh’s remarkable contributions and looking forward to the exciting developments in the world of bioelectromagnetics in the years to come. You have certainly raised the bar and set a fantastic example as a caring passionate leader that really cares about the future and our up and coming new scientists and researchers. Keep up the great work and see you at BioEM Cairns 2026!

Cheers Mike Wood

BioEM Society Sarah Loughran Michal Cifra Luc Martens Myles Capstick Lena Kranold, PhD Wout Joseph Anke Huss Martin Röösli Nicolas Loizeau Nekane Sandoval Diez Robert McIntosh