The AST values the diverse expertise and perspectives of our members, and we encourage you to take an active role in shaping the future of our organization. Explore our committees and consider submitting a volunteer interest form for any groups that align with your interests and skills.
Appointments are made by the AST president-elect in consultation with staff. Considerations include demographics of returning committee members (e.g., expertise, position, and geography) in addition to the anticipated needs of the committee.
Most appointments run from one annual meeting to the next (i.e., ATC to ATC), with exceptions for the Meeting and Research Committees. Applicants who are not appointed for the current cycle will be considered for other opportunities or vacancies that arise.
| Committee | Type | Committee Count | Term Length | Commitment/Responsibilities |
| Education Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 12 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 3 years | Meets monthly. Typically 3-5 reviews per month. |
| Research Network Committee View Description | Research Grants Oversight | 11 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 3 years | Meets monthly |
| Research Network Scientific Review Committee View Description | Research Grants Oversight | 27 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 3 years | Twice annual review periods, high activity at times. |
| ATC Program Planning Committee View Description | Educational / Meeting | 12 | Chair positions: 3 years Member positions: 3 years | Attendance at a minimum of 2 of the 3 planning meetings: 1. Meeting at ATC/shortly after. If both the September and January meeting are not attended, this will be considered cause for nonrenewal of the volunteers appointment. |
| Audit Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 8 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 3 years | Meets 1-2 times per year. |
| Awards Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 25 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 3 years | Short period of review time (February-April most years) |
| CEoT Program Planning Committee View Description | Educational / Meeting | 18 | Chair positions: 3 years Member positions: 1 year | Meets weekly between the months of April and August |
| Community Education Committee View Description | Content/Advisory | 14 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 3 years | Meets monthly, does projects throughout the month with the possibility of individual meetings, as needed. |
| Conflict of Interest (COI) Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 11 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 2 years | Meets monthly; work completed in between meetings as well. |
| Controversies Conference Oversight Committee View Description | Educational / Meeting | 8 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 2 years | Bi-monthly meetings as well as ad hoc meetings as needed to discuss proposals. |
| Development Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 5 | 4 years | Meets monthly and ad hoc sponsor calls as requested. |
| eNews Editors View Description | Content/Advisory | 2 | 3 years | Biweekly emails, no meetings required. |
| FAST Selection Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 10 | 2-3 years | Meets annually between February-March. Preparatory work occurs two weeks prior to the meeting to review applications. Other meetings held ad hoc as requested. |
| Fellows Symposium Program Planning Committee View Description | Educational / Meeting | 8 | 4 year appointments; rotating through Committee Member, Co-Chair, Chair, Past Chair. | Meets biweekly between the months of January and March |
| IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Access to Life) Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 15 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 3 years | Meets monthly |
| Investment Advisory Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 9 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 5 years | Review monthly endowment summaries and statements Meets quarterly with investment advisor to review the endowment's performance, and what may be on the horizon. |
| Living Donor Circle of Excellence Governance Council View Description | Operations Oversight | 13 | 1 year term for EC and members, 2 year term for strategic and supporting partners | 1 formal meeting per year with email communication throughout the year and the possibility of a CoE event |
| Medical Directors Committee View Description | Educational / Meeting | 15 | Chair positions: 2 years Member positions: 1 year | Meets bi-weekly between November and February |
| OPTN Policy Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 9 | Chair positions: 2 years Member positions: 3 years | Meets at least twice annually during each OPTN public comment cycle; occasionally more meetings are scheduled throughout the year as needed in response to "special" OPTN public comment periods. Preparation for these meetings entails reviewing public comment proposals and a general awareness of the community's sentiment about any given proposal, reviewing preliminary COP feedback, and reviewing and editing draft AST responses in preparation for Committee discussion and final recommendations for the Board's consideration. Committee members are usually assigned to lead specific proposals that align with their specialities, but are encouraged to review and provide feedback on every draft comment. |
| Public Policy Committee View Description | Operations Oversight | 14 | Chair positions: 1 year Member positions: 3 years | Mets montly (1-hour teleconferences). Periodic efforts that require additional time and effort outside of committee teleconferences; approximately 1hr/month. Occasional opportunities for in-person advocacy events which may require overnight travel. |
| Transplant Community Advisory Council View Description | Content/Advisory | 14 | TBD | Ad hoc meetings, as needed. |
| Transplant Regenerative Medicine Advisory Council View Description | Content/Advisory | 10 | Chair positions: 2 years Member positions: 4 years | Ad hoc meetings, as needed. |
| Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Advisory Council View Description | Content/Advisory | 10 | Chair positions: 2 years Member positions: 4 years | Ad hoc meetings, as needed. |
Committee Descriptions
Education Committee
This committee is responsible for developing and overseeing the Society’s educational content. It strategically prioritizes and plans webinars, manuscripts, and other programming based on identified needs. The committee collaborates with Communities of Practice (COPs) and the broader AST community to implement its initiatives. Additionally, it reviews and approves AST work products—including manuscripts and surveys—on behalf of the AST Board of Directors. Return to Table
AST Research Network Committee
This committee advances transplant research by identifying, funding, and supporting the most innovative work in transplantation and immunology. It sets the strategic direction and oversees the process for allocating research grant funding. Return to Table
AST Research Network Scientific Review Committee
This committee reviews research grant applications and provides funding recommendations to the AST Research Network. It is composed of three study sections—basic, clinical, and translational—each led by a chair and co-chair and supported by seven reviewers. Return to Table
ATC Program Planning Committee
In partnership with ASTS, this committee oversees the design and planning of the American Transplant Congress (ATC) program. Responsibilities include reviewing program proposals, recommending plenary and State-of-the-art speakers, and shaping the overall flow of the societies’ joint annual meeting. Return to Table
Audit Committee
This committee meets annually to oversee AST’s financial audit and reports its findings to the AST Board of Directors. It ensures that the auditing firm has the appropriate expertise to conduct a thorough review of AST’s financial performance. The committee also ensures that the auditing firm—or at minimum, the lead engagement partner—is rotated every five years. Additionally, it monitors legislative and regulatory changes that could impact the integrity of the annual audit. Return to Table
Awards Committee
This committee selects winners for most AST achievement awards. The committee is divided into three review groups, each taking specific awards to review. The AST provides achievement awards to honor members who have performed exemplary work and outstanding achievements in the field of transplantation. This committee considers not only outstanding strides in the field but also prioritizes commitment to a diverse and inclusive culture within the membership and makes decisions with an eye toward diversity in age, gender, ethnicity, and race. Return to Table
CEoT Program Planning Committee
This committee is responsible for developing the theme, program design, and content for the annual Cutting Edge of Transplantation (CEoT) meeting. It selects session topics, speakers, and discussion areas. Committee members may also serve as speakers or moderators as needed. Return to Table
Community Education Committee
This committee creates, shares, and reviews resources for transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, caregivers, community partners, and the lay public to advance knowledge of transplantation and organ donation. Return to Table
Conflict of Interest (COI) Committee
This committee reviews disclosures for all AST volunteers and program participants. This committee adjudicates any question of conflict among members and sponsors, and determines if a member's participation should be altered. This group is also responsible for ongoing review and update of policy language related to reporting conflicts of interest. Return to Table
Controversies Conference Oversight Committee
This committee provides oversight and guidance to the Controversies Conference program. These programs provide opportunities for the AST COPs to host virtual Controversies Conferences on a rotating basis. Return to Table
Development Committee
This committee oversees and provides strategic direction for development activities to include corporate funding and individual donations. Strategizes with corporate partners and sponsors of AST to foster collaborative and long-lasting relationships. Return to Table
eNews Editors
The eNews Editors select the journal articles for the weekly eNews. Return to Table
FAST Selection Committee
This committee sets and determines who meets the criteria to become recognized as a FAST Program member. The committee reviews the program requirements and application as needed, and proposes updates to the Board as appropriate. Return to Table
Fellows Symposium Program Planning Committee
This committee plans and oversees the agenda and determines faculty for the annual Fellows Symposium Meeting. Return to Table
IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Access to Life) Committee
This committee plans and executes organization-wide strategies, programs, and policies to achieve a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Society. Serves as a resource to the Board and other committees/COPs in their endeavors. Return to Table
Investment Advisory Committee
This committee oversees the AST's endowment and the investment advisory firm hired to manage these funds. This is accomplished by maintaining the AST's investment policy statements, ensuring that the investment advisor practices align with the AST's investment policy statements, and meeting regularly to review the endowment's performance. Return to Table
Living Donor Circle of Excellence Governance Council
The CoE Council is responsible for developing resources and materials, expanding the program by recruiting new members, and continually monitoring financial gaps for living donors. Return to Table
Medical Directors Committee
This Committee plans the program and content for the Medical Directors Forum, held each year prior to the annual meeting. Return to Table
OPTN Policy Committee
This committee assists with drafting the AST's responses to OPTN public comment. Though not a formal arrangement, historically, the chair of this committee has also served on the OPTN Board of Directors as a Medical/Scientific Organization Representative (two-year term). Return to Table
Public Policy Committee
This Committee receives updates on current transplant-related legislative and regulatory activities, develops and refreshes the Society's key position statements, and provides input to the Board of Directors as needed in the public policy space. In addition, the committee members partner with transplant community members (candidates, recipients, living donors, and caregivers) in Washington, DC, to speak with Congressional representatives to share both personal and professional insight related to key transplantation issues. Return to Table
Transplant Community Advisory Council
This community-led group includes transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, and caregivers. It focuses on the Society’s core pillars of advocacy, education, organ donation, research, and community service from the patient’s perspective. The Society is committed to integrating the patient voice into its advocacy initiatives and meetings. Return to Table
Transplant Regenerative Medicine Advisory Council
This committee provides awareness and education about regenerative medicine in transplantation. Return to Table
Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Advisory Council
This committee provides awareness and education about Vascular Composite Allotransplant (VCA). Return to Table
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