Physiology . . . IUPS . . . wearing multiple hats.

unknown or, if known, not match the physiological mission of that cell. The water channel AQP1 came to mind, and we then demonstrated that AQP1 is permeable to CO 2. We are now busy determining whether AQPs are permeable to O 2 and whether gas permeability through channels plays a physiological role in external respiration. .. all triggered and guided by my experience as a teacher of respiratory physiology. Time will tell whether gas channels are important, but it has been an interesting journey, and I certainly am glad that Emile waltzed into my office and forced me to become an amateur respiratory physiologist. .. so that my teaching hat was in a position to foster my science hat. In my publishing career, an opportunity for cross-pollination arose when I was invited to become the new Editor-in-Chief of the journal that morphed into Physiology. Emile and I had just published the first edition of Medical Physiology and had a wonderful experience working with the art studio JB Woolsey & Associates, which created the artwork for the textbook. We were especially appreciative of the Woolsey approach, which involved working with rather minimal " scrap " artwork provided by us, consulting with us personally to learn what we were trying to achieve with the figure, and gaining additional insights by reading the manuscript. The result was attractive artwork that helps tell the author's story in an efficient and effective way. .. and artwork that was consistent throughout the book. When approaching the new journal, I immediately thought of using Woolsey—which, upon the retirement of the Woolseys, morphed into Penumbra Design. Thanks to the support that we received from the American Physiological Society (APS), Penumbra has been producing the impressive artwork to which we have now become accustomed in Physiology. Here, my textbook hat helped my journal hat. Upon reaching a certain point in our careers, many of us find ourselves wearing more than one hat. .. and I now have one more than I did a year ago. At the 36th Congress of the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS), I had the honor of being elected the new Secretary General of IUPS. Ole Petersen performed admirably in that position during the previous 8 years, and I feel the challenge of proving myself a worthy successor as I formally assume the position as Secretary General, effective January 1, 2010. My preexisting hats …