ASBMB committees welcome new members

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has welcomed many new committee members. Some were elected by the membership, and others applied and were appointed by the committees.  Read here for more information about elected committee and Council members.

Committee members serve terms of two to five years, and a number of new members have joined. We also thank those whose terms have ended.

New ASBMB committee members start their terms July 1 of each year and are recruited annually in the preceding months. Nominations for elected positions will open in the first quarter of 2025.

Education and Professional Development Committee

The EPD encourages and supports the development of a vibrant and inclusive community of biochemists and molecular biologists by promoting effective molecular life sciences curricula and educational practices and by providing career resources across the professional life cycle.

Three members joined the EPD for three-year terms:

• Michael Borland, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
• Erin Sayer, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Shyretha Brown, Building Bridges Inc.

Two members' terms ended: Erika Offerdahl and Ludmila Tyler. Both had served for six years.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee assists the Council in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities by monitoring the society’s financial resources, including budgeting and financial planning, financial reporting, internal controls and accounting policies, and investment fund strategies. 

As previously reported, Russell DeBose–Boyd was elected this year to serve a three-year term as the ASBMB treasurer. He was formerly acting treasurer and a Finance Committee member. As treasurer, he continues his service on the committee.

Ileana Cristea, editor-in-chief of Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, joined the committee as a nonvoting member, replacing Al Burlingame, former MCP editor-in-chief.

Maximizing Access Committee

The mission of the MAC is to ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion are a priority throughout the society to advance life sciences research and education. The MAC strives to increase the presence, visibility, access and support of historically excluded and marginalized groups by advocating for policies and developing resources to promote more diverse, equitable and inclusive practices.

Three members joined the MAC for three-year terms:

• Anton Bennett, Yale University School of Medicine
• Timothy Rhoads, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Kiesha Wilson, University of South Carolina School of Medicine

Three members' terms ended: Carlos Lopez and Gustavo Silva both served for six years, and Stephen Williams served for two years.

Meetings Committee

The Meetings Committee facilitates organization of meeting programs to deliver ground-breaking scientific research, promote networking and mentoring opportunities and foster relationships and collaboration between scientists around the globe. With a forward-thinking strategy, the Meetings Committee recommends new scientific areas and programming to expand the reach and engagement of ASBMB members and the larger BMB community.

Three members' terms ended: Jian Payandeh (2021-2024), Benjamin Tu (2023-2024) and Vanina Zaremberg (2023-2024).

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee focuses on the retention, growth and engagement of the ASBMB membership. The committee is charged with considering, reviewing and recommending actions to implement programs, benefits and services to advance the mission of the society and meet the needs of its members.

Five members joined the Membership Committee for three-year terms:

• Johanna Lemons, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Marina Holz, New York Medical College
• Kazi Sarjana Safain, North Dakota State University
• Matthias Buck, Case Western Reserve University
• Rick Page, Miami University (chair)

Three members' terms ended: Judy Bond and Quinn Vega after serving for six years and Joseph Provost after serving for five years. Edward Eisenstein, chair, stepped down from the  committee to serve as a member of the ASBMB Council.

Public Affairs Advisory Committee

The PAAC advocates on behalf of ASBMB members for evidence-based science policy, sustained investments in investigator-initiated, basic scientific research and workforce policies that enhance the training of the next generation of scientists and that increase diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the nation’s research enterprise.

Two members joined the PAAC for three-year terms:

• Joseph Jez, Washington University in St. Louis
• Payton Stevens, Miami University

Himadri Pakrasi's term ended after serving for five years.

Publications Committee

The Publications Committee oversees the society’s scholarly publishing activities and makes recommendations to the Council at regularly scheduled meetings. The committee advises the Council on policy and ethical issues that may arise and advises journal editors about editorial matters including the approval of associate editors.

Sandra Weller stepped down as chair of the Publications Committee and Walid Houry (University of Toronto) began a five-year term as chair.

Ileana Cristea, editor-in-chief of Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, joined the committee as a nonvoting member, replacing Al Burlingame, former MCP editor-in-chief.

Science Outreach and Communication Committee

The SOCC develops science communication training and facilitates outreach activities for the society. The committee provides resources and professional development opportunities for ASBMB members to get involved with informal education in their communities.

The SOCC's mission is to increase and expand the effectiveness of inclusive and accessible science outreach and communication activities through the involvement of ASBMB members.

Two members joined the SOCC for three-year terms:

• Susan Holecheck, Arizona State University
• Sudheesh Allikka Parambil, Yale University

Two members' terms ended: Parmvir Bahia served for six years, and John Tansey served for five years.

Student Chapters Committee

The Student Chapters Committee is devoted to building a national community of undergraduate students and faculty members for the advancement of biochemistry and molecular biology research, education and science outreach. It provides networking and career-development opportunities at regional and national levels, access to research and science outreach as well as grants and awards.

Four members joined the Student Chapters Committee for three-year terms:

• Bonnie Hall, Grand View University
• Basudeb Bhattacharyya, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
• Aswathy Rai, Mississippi State University
• Kirsten Fertuck, Northeastern University

Four members' terms ended after serving for six years: Dan Dries, Odutayo Odunuga, Erin Sayer and Todd Weaver.

Women in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee

The WIBMB advocates for women in biochemistry and molecular biology, both in academia and in industry by increasing participation, visibility and status of women within the scientific community.

Four members joined the WIBMB for three-year terms:

• Juanita Limas, Eli Lilly and Company
• Swati Agrawal, University of Mary Washington
• Mary Dasso, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Camellia Moses Okpodu, University of Wyoming

Four members' terms ended: Marilee Benore, Megan Filbin and Marina Holz after five years and Mariana Barboza after three years.