The Phycological Society of America (PSA) is a professional society, founded in 1946, that is dedicated to the advancement of

phycology Phycology () is the scientific study of algae. Also known as algology, phycology is a branch of life science. Algae are important as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Most algae are eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms that live in a w ...

, the study of

algae Algae (; singular alga ) is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms. It is a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from unicellular mic ...

. The PSA is responsible for the publication of ''

Journal of Phycology The ''Journal of Phycology'' is a bimonthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of phycology (the study of algae), published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. on behalf of the Phycological Society of America. The journal was established in 1965 and publ ...

'' and organizes annual conferences among other events that aid in the advancement of related algal sciences. Membership in the Phycological Society of America is open to anyone from any nation who is concerned with the

physiology Physiology (; ) is the scientific study of functions and mechanisms in a living system. As a sub-discipline of biology, physiology focuses on how organisms, organ systems, individual organs, cells, and biomolecules carry out the chemical ...

taxonomy Taxonomy is the practice and science of categorization or classification. A taxonomy (or taxonomical classification) is a scheme of classification, especially a hierarchical classification, in which things are organized into groups or types. ...

molecular biology Molecular biology is the branch of biology that seeks to understand the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells, including biomolecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactions. The study of chemical and physi ...

, experimental biology,

cell biology Cell biology (also cellular biology or cytology) is a branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells. All living organisms are made of cells. A cell is the basic unit of life that is responsible for the living and ...

, and

developmental biology Developmental biology is the study of the process by which animals and plants grow and develop. Developmental biology also encompasses the biology of Regeneration (biology), regeneration, asexual reproduction, metamorphosis, and the growth and di ...

of related algal sciences. As of 2012, membership was approximately 2,000 from 63 countries.

Awards and Fellowships

The PSA offers four honorary awards that are announced at the annual conference * The Harold C. Bold Award, established in 1973, the Bold Award is given for the outstanding graduate student paper(s) presented at the Annual Meeting as determined by the Bold Award Committee. * The Gerald W. Prescott Award, The Prescott Award is given to recognize scholarly work in English in the form of a published book or monograph devoted to phycology published in the last 2 years. * The

Luigi Provasoli Luigi Provasoli (1908 – 30 October 1992) was an Italian phycologist, professor, and expert on the nutrition, physiology, and cultivation of algae, protozoa, and invertebrates. Career Provasoli attended the University of Milan and earned hi ...

Award, The Luigi Provasoli Award is presented annually to the author(s) of the three, or fewer, outstanding papers published in the Journal of Phycology during the previous fiscal year. * The

Ralph A. Lewin Ralph Arnold Lewin (30 April 1921 – 30 November 2008) was an Anglo-American biologist, known as "the father of green algae genetics". He was born in London and later moved to America. He also was known as a poetry author. Education He studied a ...

Poster Award, The Lewin Award is presented to graduate student members of the PSA for the creation and presentation of an original research poster. * The L. H. Tiffany Award, The L. H. Tiffany Award is presented to an individual or team who enhances the awareness or importance of algae through an original work within the previous 3 years. * The Award of Excellence, This award has been established to recognize phycologists who have demonstrated sustained scholarly contributions in and impact on the field of phycology over their careers. These individuals have also provided service to PSA as well as other phycological societies. The PSA also offer
grants and fellowships
to assist funding for algal research.

Meetings

The PSA organizes an annual Phycological meeting each year:
PSA 2012
Charleston, SC
PSA 2011
Seattle, WA (joint meeting with the

International Society of Protistologists International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations". International may also refer to: Music Albums * ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011 * ''International'' (New Order album), 2002 * ''International'' (The T ...

)
PSA 2010
East Lansing, MI
PSA 2009
Honolulu, HI (joint meeting with the

American Society of Plant Biologists American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

)
PSA 2008
New Orleans, LA
PSA 2007
Providence, RI
PSA 2006
Jeannau, AK (joint meeting with the

Northwest Algal Symposium The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each sepa ...

) * SA 2005 Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (joint meeting with the

International Phycological Congress International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations". International may also refer to: Music Albums * ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011 * ''International'' (New Order album), 2002 * ''International'' (The T ...

)
PSA 2004
Williamsburg, VA
PSA 2003
Glenden Beach, OR (joint meeting with the

and the

) * SA 2002 Madison, WI (joint meeting with the

Botanical Society of America The Botanical Society of America (BSA) represents professional and amateur botanists, researchers, educators and students in over 80 countries of the world. It functions as a United States nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership society. History The soci ...

)
PSA 2001
Estes Par, CO * SA 2000 San Diego, CA (joint meeting with the

American Society of Plant Physiologists American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

)

References

External links

Official website
{{authority control Botanical societies Professional associations based in the United States Organizations established in 1946 Natural Science Collections Alliance members 1946 establishments in the United States Phycology Scientific societies based in the United States