Member News

FASEB names advocacy fellows

ASBMB Today Staff
Dec. 18, 2023
Kaitlyn Browning
Natalie Gehred
Katy Lehmann

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology recently named its inaugural Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellows. Three American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology members were among the first nine fellows: Kaitlyn Browning, Natalie Gehred and Katherine Lehmann. FASEB created this fellowship to help trainees develop their skills as science advocates.

Browning is a graduate student in the lab of Houra Merrikh, a professor of biochemistry at Vanderbilt University. Her research is focused on understanding bacterial evolution and multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Browning participated in a federal science policy workshop through Vanderbilt during which she traveled to Washington, D.C. She also completed a science communication internship with the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation. Browning looks forward to learning about science policy careers as well as how to make herself a competitive candidate for these roles during the fellowship.

Gehred is a graduate student at UCLA, conducting research in the lab of Thomas Vondriska, a professor of anesthesiology, medicine and physiology. Gehred’s work uses molecular transcriptomics to examine the mechanisms that underlie cardiac fibrosis. At UCLA, she is the Science Communication Committee chair of the university’s Science Policy Group, a group of graduate students dedicated to exploring science advocacy. Gehred hopes to use the skills she gains through the fellowship to write an op-ed and lead a writing workshop with the UCLA Science Policy Group.

Lehmann is a postdoctoral fellow at Oregon Health & Science University. She conducts research in the lab of Marc Freeman, a senior scientist and director of the Vollum Institute at OHSU. Lehmann’s work aims to understand the neuron and glial cell signaling mechanisms involved in synaptic pruning. She participated in the Training Future Faculty program at OHSU and served as a visiting professor at Lewis & Clark College, a local liberal arts school. There, she implemented a curriculum incorporating equity practices in an introductory science class. During her fellowship, Lehmann aims to advocate for graduate student and postdoc benefits such as increased pay and childcare.

During their 10-month program, the fellows will receive instruction in advocacy, science policy, science communication, leadership development and career exploration outside academia.

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.

Learn more
ASBMB Today Staff

This article was written by a member or members of the ASBMB Today staff.

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in People

People highlights or most popular articles

AI can be an asset, ASBMB educators say
Advice

AI can be an asset, ASBMB educators say

July 9, 2025

Pedagogy experts share how they use artificial intelligence to save time, increase accessibility and prepare students for a changing world.

ASBMB undergraduate education programs foster tomorrow’s scientific minds
Feature

ASBMB undergraduate education programs foster tomorrow’s scientific minds

July 8, 2025

Learn how the society empowers educators and the next generation of scientists through community as well as accreditation and professional development programs that support evidence-based teaching and inclusive pedagogy.

Honors for Gagna and Sundquist
Member News

Honors for Gagna and Sundquist

July 7, 2025

Claude Gagna is being honored for the diagnostic tool he developed that uses AI to streamline diagnostics. Wesley Sundquist is being honored for his role in finding that HIV’s capsid was a target for treatment.

Gaze into the proteomics crystal ball
In-person Conference

Gaze into the proteomics crystal ball

July 1, 2025

The 15th International Symposium on Proteomics in the Life Sciences symposium will be held August 17–21 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bassler receives National Medal of Science
Member News

Bassler receives National Medal of Science

June 30, 2025

She was recognized for her research on the molecular mechanisms bacteria use for intercellular communication.

2025 ASBMB election results
Society News

2025 ASBMB election results

June 25, 2025

Learn about the new president, secretary, Council members and committee members.