History of the Microsporidia Division
The SIP Constitution made provisions for divisions to be formed within the Society by groups who had interests in specific disciplines or subject areas within invertebrate pathology. The first division, the Division of Microsporidia, was approved by Council in 1970. At an initial meeting during the annual SIP meeting at the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, Vermont in 1969, organized by Victor Sprague with interest and support by John Kramer, J. Vavra and others, 23 scientists discussed needs facing the field of invertebrate protozoology. They considered common issues in microsporidian identification, need to develop a directory of those interested in microsporidia worldwide, possibility of development of a symposium on microsporidia, and the need for organization of a division on Microsporidia within the Society. An organizing committee to formulate bylaws and a proposal to submit to the SIP Council was established. Dr. Sprague served as Chair with Wayne Brooks, Joe Maddox, Roy McLaughlin, Ann Cali, J. Vavra, and Y. “Joe” Tanada as members. There was some concern that the division should be broader and include all Protozoa, but final agreement was met that issues with Microsporidia were of greatest interest and concern for the group.
Initial “Rules for Government” of the proposed Division were submitted to Dr. Mauro Martignoni, chair of the SIP Divisions Committee. The SIP Council approved establishment of the Division of Microsporidia at its annual meeting at College Park, Maryland on August 3, 1970. The first slate of officers was elected in 1970 with J. Vavra, Chair; Roy McLaughlin, Vice-chair; Ann Cali, Secretary; and John Henry and Ed Hazard as Council Members. Membership was gained by paying dues of one dollar at the 1970 meeting and 32 scientists joined in its first year. Thereafter, the dues were paid annually to the Society Treasurer along with Society membership dues. The minutes of the first business meeting of the Division and its By-Laws were published in the SIP Newsletter Volume III, no. 1, September 21, 1970.
By James Harper
