ASBMB committees welcome new members

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology recently welcomed many new committee members. Some were elected by the membership, and others applied and were appointed by the committees. 

Learn about the committees and see the new members below. 

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. 

This new member will serve through 2028: 

• Nicole C. Woitowich (Northwestern University)

The committee thanks the following member for her service:

• Toni Antalis (University of Maryland School of Medicine)

Russell DeBose–Boyd (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center) is serving as interim treasurer 2023-2024.

Meetings Committee 

The Meetings Committee facilitates organization of meeting programs to deliver groundbreaking scientific research, promote networking and mentoring opportunities, and foster relationships and collaboration among 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. 

This member was reappointed and will serve through 2026: 

• Oleh Khalimonchuk (University of Nebraska–Lincoln)

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. 

This new member will serve through 2026: 

• Sandra Gabelli (Merck)

The committee thanks the following members for their service: 

• Pete Kennelly (Virginia Tech)
• Bettie Sue Masters (Duke University)
• Renee Yura (Moderna)

Maximizing Access Committee

The mission of the Maximizing Access Committee (formerly the Minority Affairs Committee) 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. 

These new members will serve through 2026: 

• Shane Austin (University of the West Indies)
• Reid Blanchett (Van Andel Research Institute)
• Teresita Padilla–Benavides (Wesleyan University)

The committee thanks the following members for their service: 

• Sonia Flores, chair (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus)
• Vahe Bandarian (University of Utah)
• Carlos Castañeda (Syracuse University)
• Joseph Chaney (Xavier University of Louisiana)
• Adela Cota–Gomez (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus)
• Kayunta Johnson–Winters (University of Texas at Arlington)

Nominating committee 

The ASBMB Nominating Committee nominates regular members of the society to stand for election for president, Council, Publications Committee and the Nominating Committee. Committee members are elected for three-year terms and can be reelected or reappointed to serve one additional term. 

These new members will serve through 2026:

• Karen Allen (Boston University)
• Russell Debose–Boyd (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)                                                            

Public Affairs Advisory Committee 

The Public Affairs Advisory Committee monitors and responds to all matters relating to the government’s role in the practice and funding of science. The committee advises the society leadership on governmental issues in which the membership has an interest. 

These new members will serve through 2026: 

• Michael Grey (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)
• Sarah Smaga (National Science Foundation Center for Genetically Encoded Materials)
• Neil Marsh (University of Michigan Medical School)
• Matthew Koci (North Carolina State University). 

The committee thanks the following members for their service: 

• Katherine Friedman (Vanderbilt University)
• Marina Ramirez–Alvarado (Mayo Clinic)
• Anita Corbett (Emory University)
• Nick Rhind (University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School)

Publications Committee 

The ASBMB Publications Committee oversees the society’s scholarly publishing activities, advises the Council on policy and ethical issues that may arise, and advises journal editors about editorial matters, including the approval of associate editor appointments. Committee members are elected for five-year terms and can be reelected or reappointed to serve one additional term.                                    

The following committee member was reelected to a term ending in 2028: 

• Yvette S. Radisky (Mayo Clinic)

Science Outreach and Communication Committee

The Science Outreach and Communication Committee 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. 

These new members will serve through 2026: 

• Crystal Mendoza ( Apriori Bio)
• Emmett Smith (Earlham College)

The committee thanks the following member for her service: 

• Ana Ines Zambrana (Universidad del Trabajo del Uruguay)

Matthew Koci (North Carolina State University) is serving as interim chair until December, at which point his term will end.

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, and grants and awards. 

These new members will serve through 2026: 

• Orla Hart (Purdue University)
• Amy Springer (University of Massachusetts Amherst)

The committee thanks the following members for their service: 

• Craig Streu (Albion College)
• Celeste Peterson (Suffolk University)

Women in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee 

The Women in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee 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. 

These new members will serve through 2026: 

• Mary Jo Ondrechen (Northeastern University)
• Nick Rhind (University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School)

The committee thanks the following members for their service: 

• Dixie Goss (City University of New York, Hunter College)
• Patty Kane (State University of New York, Upstate Medical University)
• Geoffrey Kapler (Texas A&M University Health Science Center)
• Jenna Roecklein–Canfield (Simmons College)