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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
