The main objective of the International Physiology Committee (IPC) of the American Physiological Society (APS) during the past year was to increase the awareness of Latin American Scientist of the availability of the "Latin American Initiative" program to fund courses/symposia in Latin America. To accomplish this goal the program was advertised to the largest Physiological and Biophysical Societies in Latin American as well as to hundreds of Latin American physiologist via Email. As a result of this campaign the IPC received during 2002 a record number of applications for funding during 2003.

During 2002 the APS funded with $5,000/each the following courses/symposia under the auspices of the "Latin American Initiative":

• "Advances in Physiology:  Impact on our Understanding of Health and Disease". This symposium was organized by Patricia Molina (LSUHSC, New Orleans), was held at the "Francisco Marroquin" Medical School in Guatemala, and consisted of 12 presentations on various physiological subjects imparted by six scientists from the US and Guatemala. Between each lecture, a clinical case related to the subject was presented by clinical faculty from the US or Guatemala. The symposia attracted 90 participants consisting of medical students, residents and faculty

• "New Insights in Water Transport Across Cells and Membranes: Structure, Function and Regulation" organized by Claudia Capurro (Univ. of Buenos Aires) and Guillermo Whittembury (IVIC, Venezuela). This symposium was held at the "Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental" in Buenos Aires, Argentina in May 2002. It was organized in conjunction with the International Congress of Biophysics and consisted of ten presentations from scientists of seven countries and attracted 50 participants

• "Volume Regulation in Animal Cells and in Plant Vacuoles" organized by Mario Parisi (Univ. Buenos Aires) and Gabriela Amodeo (Univ. Buenos Aires). This symposium was held in conjunction with the symposium on water transport described above. It consisted of eight presentations from scientists of five countries.

The IPC has the intention of expanding its activities by requesting the APS Council to create a fund to support the attendance of young Latin American physiologists to attend the Experimental Biology meeting.

The IPC is very pleased to realize that the "Latin American Initiative" is becoming a well-known program in the Americas and looks forward to reviewing an ever-increasing number of high quality applications for courses and symposia to be held in Latin America. 

Hector Rasgado-Flores, Chair

Council Actions

• Council accepted the report of the International Physiology Committee.

• Council approved the requested funding for four new Latin American Initiative proposals for 2003.

• Council approved the motion to send the referees' comments of the applications for the Latin American Initiatives to the respective applicants.

• Council approved the motion to have the application instructions for the Latin American Initiative being posted in Spanish and Portuguese on the APS web site.