ASBMB Fellows

Selection as an ASBMB Fellow is an honor bestowed on members with a history of exceptional and sustained service to the society, as well as a distinguished record of professional accomplishment to advance molecular life sciences in the fields of scientific research, diversity and inclusion, education, outreach, mentorship, leadership and/or public service.

The 2023 ASBMB fellows

Norma Allewell

Norma Allewell

Emeritus professor, University of Maryland at College Park

Research interests: Protein structure, function and dynamics.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • JBC associate editor
  • JBC Editorial Board

From nominators Lila Gierasch and Charles Samuel: "Norma is a pioneer. ... She maintained a cutting-edge research program and enjoyed success as a skilled administrator and academic editor."

Thomas Baldwin

Thomas Baldwin

Emeritus professor, University of California, Riverside

Research interests: Bioluminescence in organisms.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Public Affairs Advisory Committee
  • Science Outreach and Communications Committee
  • JBC Editorial Board

From nominator Ralph Bradshaw: "Tom is an accomplished scientist, educator and academic administrator."

Susan Baserga

Susan J. Baserga

Professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, Yale University

Research interests: Ribosomal biogenesis and assembly.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Women in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee
  • Public Affairs Advisory Committee

From nominator Jennifer Gerton: "In addition to her service to ASBMB, Susan is a seasoned leader in the field, and brings a special perspective as an M.D. and Ph.D."

Marilee Benore

Marilee Benore

Professor of biochemistry and biological sciences, University of Michigan–Dearborn

Research interests: Vitamin transport; women’s persistence in STEM.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Women in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee
  • Student Chapters subcommittee

From nominator Michael Pikaart: "She is a careful, methodical and well-trained scientist ... And she shares her knowledge generously in print and in person."

Charles Brenner

Charles Brenner

Professor and chair of diabetes and cancer metabolism, City of Hope National Medical Center

Research interests: NAD metabolomics, virology, diabetes.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Publications Committee
  • ASBMB Today editorial advisory board

From nominator Rama Natarajan: "Brenner is a true leader who has advanced biochemistry and molecular biology with his own teaching, with his national work on education, with his mentorship of trainees and junior faculty members, with his highly original research program, with translation of his research program, and with his rigorous and broad commitment to outreach and honest science communications."

Craig Cameron

Craig Cameron

Professor and chair of microbiology and immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research interests: RNA viruses and RNA polymerases.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Maximizing Access Committee
  • Public Affairs Advisory Committee
  • Education and Professional Development Committee
  • JBC associate editor

From nominator S. Gaylen Bradley: "Cameron has established himself as an outstanding molecular biologist ... (and) has an impressive record of publications on molecular biology of viruses and enzymes..."

Sonia Flores

Sonia Flores

Professor and vice chair for diversity and justice, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Research interests: HIV.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Maximizing Access Committee
  • IMAGE steering committee

From nominator Ruma Banerjee​: "For her substantial and substantive contributions to ASBMB and across all levels of our scientific community, to promoting STEM diversity, Sonia is most deserving of being recognized as an ASBMB Fellow."

Susan Forsburg

Susan Forsburg

Professor of biological sciences, University of Southern California

Research interests: Chromosome duplication and maintenance.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Public Affairs Advisory Committee

From nominators: "Forsburg is an outstanding scientist with an impressive track record of service to ASBMB as well as a commitment to the field of molecular biology."

Gregory Gatto

Gregory J. Gatto Jr.

Scientific director, GSK

Research interests: Drug discovery.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • ASBMB Council
  • Membership Committee

From nominators Mark R. Harpel and Jeremy M. Berg: "...in his scientific accomplishments and professional record, commitment to educating and encouraging other scientists, and participation as a leader within ASBMB, Greg embodies the spirit and character of an ASBMB Fellow."

Robert Haltiwanger

Robert Haltiwanger

Professor, University of Georgia

Research interests: O-linked glycosylation.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Publications Committee
  • JBC associate editor
  • JBC Editorial Board

From nominators Christopher M. West and Michael Tiemeyer: "Bob is an outstanding scientist who, together with his tireless leadership and service efforts, has effected a significant and sustained impact on the field of biochemistry and molecular biology especially in the disciplines of glycobiology and developmental biology."

Mark Lemmon

Mark Lemmon

Professor and chair of pharmacology, Yale University

Research interests: RTK signaling.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • ASBMB Council

From nominator Alex Toker: "Prof. Lemmon actively and effectively fosters the careers of not only those who work with him but, perhaps more impressively, of those young scientists whose work intersects with his."

Susan Marqusee

Susan Marqusee

Professor of molecular and cell biology, University of California, Berkeley

Research interests: Structural and dynamic information encoded in the linear sequence of amino acids.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • ASBMB Council

From nominator Eva Nogales: "Susan has, in addition to a stellar scientific career, a fantastic record of service to the scientific community at large and to ASBMB in particular."

Pamela Mertz

Pamela Mertz

Professor of chemistry and biochemistry, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Research interests: Lipid metabolism and intracellular drug synthesis; science pedagogy.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Student Chapters steering committee

From nominator Kristin Fox: "Her numerous activities of increasing responsibility show the high esteem that her colleagues at ASBMB hold her in."

James Ntambi

James Ntambi

Professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Research interests: Genetic regulation of metabolism in health and disease.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • ASBMB Council
  • JBC Editorial Board

From nominator Gerald Hart: "(Ntambi) has been and continues to be truly outstanding and at the cutting edge, having dramatic impacts on our fundamental understanding of genetic regulation of metabolism."

Phillip Ortiz

Phillip Ortiz

Assistant provost for undergraduate and STEM education, State University of New York

Research interests: STEM education.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Maximizing Access Committee
  • Student Chapters steering committee

From nominator Marilee Benore: "Phil Ortiz has had a long-term and critical impact on the work of the ASBMB society in his diverse roles in education research, diversity and inclusion efforts, and in connecting BMB researchers internationally."

Michael Pikaart

Michael Pikaart

Professor of chemistry, Hope College

Research interests: Environmental microbiology; biochemistry pedagogy.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Education and Professional Development Committee
  • Student Chapters steering committee

From nominator John Tansey: "His work with the society, his work with students, his scientific contributions and his contributions to education all collectively paint a picture of someone the society should be proud to call a fellow."

William Smith

William Smith

Emeritus professor, University of Michigan Medical School

Research interests: Signal transduction, eicosanoid metabolism and function, lipids and lipid mediators, essential fatty acid metabolism and nutrition.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • JBC associate editor

From nominator George Carman: "Bill’s scientific stature is exemplified by continuous funding from the NIH, service on national and international advisory boards, service on numerous editorial boards besides those operated by ASBMB, and numerous honors and awards."

Melissa Starovasnik

Melissa Starovasnik

Scientific advisor, Genentech (retired)

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • ASBMB Council
  • Membership Committee

From nominator Wayne J. Fairbrother: "I believe her greatest legacy is her contributions as a mentor and a champion for diversity and inclusion."

Judith Storch

Judith Storch

Professor of nutritional sciences, Rutgers University

Research interests: Fatty acid and cholesterol binding proteins.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • Publications Committee
  • Lipid Research Division steering committee
  • JBC Editorial Board

From nominator George Carman: "I have the highest regard for her as a scientist, educator and colleague with respect to outreach activities within and outside the ASBMB."

Kelly Ten Hagen

Kelly Ten Hagen

Senior investigator, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH

Research interests: Regulation of protein O-glycosylation.

Highlights of ASBMB involvement

  • ASBMB Council
  • Women in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee
  • Meetings Committee
  • JBC Editorial Board

From nominator Lawrence A. Tabak: "Her efforts led to the formation of the NIH Anti-Harassment Steering Committee (on which she serves), which subsequently led to new policies and procedures for reporting and addressing harassment in the workplace."

Past classes