2021 ASBMB Fellows
Natalie Ahn
Distinguished professor of biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder
Research interests: Proteomics, cell biology and biophysical approaches to investigating signal-transduction mechanisms, particularly those implicated in cancer.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Past president
- JBC editorial board
From nominator Ruma Banerjee: "Natalie worked tirelessly to enhance the status of the national meeting and selected a new editor-in-chief for (the ASBMB’s) flagship journal, JBC, which ushered in sweeping and positive changes ... Natalie’s scientific record is stellar."
Karen Allen
Professor of chemistry, Boston University
Research interests: Enzyme evolution and substrate specificity, with a focus on the haloalkanoate dehalogenase superfamily.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- Women in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee
From nominators Ann Stock and Tina Iverson: "(Allen) is a superb scientist who has made fundamental contributions to the field of enzymology ... has her pulse on the leading questions of the field and is an investigator with the highest integrity and values."
Teaster Baird Jr.
Professor of chemistry and biochemistry, San Francisco State University
Research interests: Serine protease enzymology, modifying catalytic activity, substrate specificity and interactions with macromolecular inhibitors.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Education and Professional Development Committee
- Student Chapters Committee
From the nominators: "(Baird) sees potential, provides opportunities, and gives a voice to students and faculty who often are forgotten or overlooked ... (and) is constantly pushing the boundaries of the way students are educated."
Ruma Banerjee
Professor of biological chemistry, University of Michigan
Research interests: Enzymes that metabolize and transform sulfur-containing compounds.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- Minority Affairs Committee
- JBC associate editor
- MOSAIC co-principal investigator
From nominator Tina Iverson: "Ruma is a mover and shaker in enzymology... (who) has maintained this field-leading research program in the context of extensive service to her home institutions and the world at large."
Suzanne Barbour
Dean of the graduate school and professor of biochemistry and biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- Minority Affairs Committee
- JLR editorial board
From nominator Sterling Bradley: "(Barbour) is a recognized national advocate for many aspects of career development and the challenge facing working scientists and the coming generation of scientists."
J. Ellis Bell
Lecturer in chemistry and biochemistry, University of San Diego
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Education and Professional Development Committee
- Student Chapters Committee
From nominator Marilee Benore: "Ellis' gift is his ability to step back and allow faculty to work within the strategic outline to create change, develop professionally and then step into their own leadership roles."
Squire Booker
Professor of chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology, Pennsylvania State University
Research interests: Catalytic mechanisms of redox enzymes involved in natural product biosynthesis and human health.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Minority Affairs Committee
- IMAGE founding principal investigator
From nominator Ruma Banerjee: "Squire’s work is characterized by its elegance and rigor. ... His research productivity is all the more impressive given his heavy teaching load and service commitments both at Penn State and nationally."
George Carman
Professor of food science, Rutgers University
Research interests: Regulation of phospholipid synthesis using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisia.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- JBC associate editor
- JLR associate editor
- Lipid Research Division co-founder
From nominator Alfred H. Merrill Jr.: "George has made impressive contributions to science through both the discoveries of his laboratory and his assistance to others through these activities."
Michael Cox
Professor of biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Research interests: DNA replication and repair.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- Education and Professional Development Committee
- JBC associate editor
From nominator Aaron Hoskin: "Mike is a remarkable scientist. ... From writing a grant to writing an exam, Mike has been an exceptional scientific role model in every way."
Enrique De La Cruz
Professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, Yale University
Research interests: Actin cytoskeleton, molecular motor proteins and nucleotide signaling enzymes.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Minority Affairs Committee
- MOSAIC advisory board
- JBC associate editor
From nominator Mark Hochstrasser: "Enrique is an active member of the ASBMB and is an exemplary scientist in his research, teaching and training, particularly of underrepresented scientists. ... He has done an enormous amount of work in helping to build diversity both here at Yale and elsewhere."
Edward Dennis
Distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry, University of California, San Diego
Research interests: Lipid metabolism and cell signaling, phospholipase A2 enzymes.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- Education and Professional Development Committee
- Past editor-in-chief of JLR
- JBC editorial board
From nominator George Carman: "Numerous investigators have entered the field of phospholipases and signal transduction as well as lipidomics because of the contributions of Dr. Dennis. ... The fact that many of his past students are now leaders in the field in their own right is testimony of his outstanding ability to train and motivate people."
John Denu
Professor of biomolecular chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Research interests: Enzymes responsible for adding and removing post-translational modifications.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Nominating Committee
- JBC associate editor
- JBC editorial board
From nominator Sharon Dent: "John’s research is consistently trailblazing. ... John is a highly productive scientist... (who) is also highly committed to teaching and mentoring."
Henrik Dohlman
Professor of pharmacology, University of North Carolina
Research interests: G protein–coupled receptor signaling and desensitization in yeast.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- JBC associate editor
- JBC editorial board
From nominator Jeremy Thorner: "Henrik has made numerous path-finding contributions about what are now known as G-protein coupled receptors. ... Moreover, in the process, he has trained legions of his own Ph.D. students and postdoctoral trainees."
William Dowhan
Professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston McGovern Medical School
Research interests: Lipid‒protein interactions.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Meetings Committee
- JBC editorial board
From nominator George Carman: "Dr. Dowhan’s success lies in successfully challenging dogma ... use of evolving technology and approaches ... and generating new concepts."
Catherine Drennan
Professor of biology and chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research interests: Structural biology of metalloenzymes.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Education and Professional Development Committee
- Publications Committee
From nominator Tina Iverson: “Deep commitment to education and inclusivity ... (and) long service to ASBMB, her contributions to training, and her stature as a world leader in the field warrant her inclusion."
Takita Felder Sumter
Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and professor of chemistry, Winthrop University
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- Minority Affairs Committee
- Student Chapters Committee
From nominator Heather J. Evans Anderson: "... the products of Dr. Sumter’s mentorship skills have established broad contributions and her widespread impacts will continue to influence the next generation of science education and production of scientists."
Karen Fleming
Professor of biophysics, Johns Hopkins University
Research interests: Membrane-protein folding — structural basis of chaperone interactions with unfolded membrane proteins.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- JBC associate editor
From nominator Cynthia Wolberger: "She has worked extensively on issues facing women in STEM ... and has recently expanded her efforts to confront issues that face both women and men of color."
Lila Gierasch
Distinguished professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Research interests: Protein folding — mechanisms of molecular chaperones and the effects of misfolded protein aggregates.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- JBC editor-in-chief
From nominator Daniel Hebert: "What is most special about Lila are the so many things she does that do not show up on a resume. Beyond serving as an example of excellence and dedication, she cares deeply about her trainees and colleagues."
F. Peter Guengerich
Professor of biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences
Research interests: Mechanisms of activation and detoxication of chemical carcinogens and toxicants.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- Public Affairs Advisory Committee
- JBC deputy editor
From nominator Lawrence J. Marnett: "(Guengerich's) extraordinary accomplishments in scientific research are matched only by his devotion to the ASBMB."
Heidi Hamm
Professor of pharmacology, ophthalmology and visual sciences, and orthopedics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences
Research interests: G proteins’ roles in protease-activated receptor signaling in the cardiovascular system and regulation of exocytosis at synapses.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Past president
- ASBMB Council
- JBC editorial board
From nominator Tina Iverson: "...her national contributions to science advocacy and her stature as a world leader in the field warrant her inclusion."
William Merrick
Professor of biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Research interests: Eukaryotic translation initiation.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Public Affairs Advisory Committee
- JBC editorial board
From nominator Thomas Dever: "His work has established much of our current understanding of the initiation pathway for eukaryotic protein synthesis and the biochemical properties of the translation factors."
Alexandra Newton
Distinguished professor of pharmacology, University of California, San Diego
Research interests: Molecular mechanisms of cell signaling.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- JBC editorial board
From nominator John D. Scott: "Alexandra is a thought leader in the field of signal transduction, a role model for the next generation of women biochemists, and a tireless advocate for ASBMB. ... There is no question that ASBMB is a better organization as a result of (her) insights, commitment and enthusiasm."
Daniel Raben
Professor of biological chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Research interests: Enzymology, structure, regulation and function of lipid-metabolizing enzymes.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- JBC editorial board
- JLR editorial board
- Lipid Research Division co-founder
From nominator Michael Wolfgang: "It is hard to imagine another ASBMB member who has contributed as much service to the society in as many capacities over the last 25 years."
Kerry-Anne Rye
Research professor, University of New South Wales
Research interests: Signal-transduction pathways in multiple cell types to identify new therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis and diabetes.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Meetings Committee
- JLR co-editor-in-chief
From nominator Nicholas Davidson: "Rye has had a long and distinguished scientific career, in which she has advanced the molecular life sciences, through her own research programs as well as through her commitment to education and mentorship and as well as her service to the society."
Sarah Spiegel
Professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, Virginia Commonwealth University
Research interests: Sphingosine-1-phosphate.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- JBC editorial board
- JLR editorial board
From nominator Suzanne Barbour: "Dr. Spiegel is a remarkable scientist whose brilliant career has helped to launch and sustain an entire field of biochemistry. In the process, she has trained outstanding scientists and thus has contributed to the development of human resources as well."
Wesley Sundquist
Distinguished professor of biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine
Research interests: HIV protein structure and assembly, and interactions with the host endomembrane system.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- Public Affairs Advisory Committee
From nominator Dana Carroll: "It has been my pleasure to have Wes Sundquist as a colleague ... and to witness his amazing accomplishments."
Susan Taylor
Distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry, University of California, San Diego
Research interests: Structure, function and dynamics of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Past president
- ASBMB Council
- JBC editorial board
From nominator Alexandra Newton: "Susan’s service to biochemistry and training the next generation of biochemists is exceptional. ... Her leadership has had a far-reaching impact, from UCSD to a global level. ... Her infectious enthusiasm for biochemistry is unparalleled."
Herbert Weissbach
Professor emeritus of biological sciences, Florida Atlantic University
Research interests: How cells respond to oxidative stress and how oxidative damage can be prevented.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- ASBMB Council
- JBC associate editor
Adele Wolfson
Professor emerita of physical and natural sciences, and chemistry, Wellesley College
Research interests: Proteases and peptidases with a focus on the enzyme thimet oligopeptidase.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Education and Professional Development Committee
- JLR associate editor
From nominators: "Adele is a role model for committee leadership. .... She balances a focus on rigor and consistency with the recognition of diversity and promotion of inclusiveness. ... She has helped lead this society and helped shape its positions as we move forward into the next decade."
Stephen Young
Distinguished professor of medicine and human genetics, University of California, Los Angeles
Research interests: Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein processing.
Highlights of ASBMB involvement
- Deuel board
- JLR associate editor
From nominator Peter Tontonoz: "Dr. Young is an international leader in the field of metabolism whose work has transformed decades-old models of lipid physiology. ... He has been the force that has kept the Deuel meeting financially viable and scientifically vibrant."