Honor Society

The ASBMB Honor Society, ΧΩΛ, recognizes exceptional undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing degrees in the molecular life sciences at colleges or universities with ASBMB Student Chapters. Students are recognized for their scholarly achievement, research accomplishments and outreach activities.

Individuals from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Nomination process

To be eligible, undergraduate nominees must:

• Be active members of the ASBMB Student Chapters.
• Be juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Demonstrate high achievement in academics, undergraduate research and science outreach.

Nominations may be submitted by either a faculty ASBMB member or by the student member.

Nomination materials must include:

• A completed ASBMB Honor Society application.
• A copy of an official or unofficial transcript indicating science courses taken and overall GPA included in the application.
• Two completed ASBMB Honor Society reference forms. These reference forms will replace the recommendation letters used in the past and should be completed by the applicant's Student Chapter adviser and a faculty member that together are knowledgeable about the applicant's research, ASBMB Student Chapters involvement and outreach activities. These forms should be submitted internally using the application.

The 2023 application period is closed.

Review of applications

Applications will be scored against the review criteria. Applicants are highly encouraged to discuss their application with their Student Chapter adviser and research mentor. Review criteria include the following:

• An evaluation of the applicant's engagement in undergraduate research, including the time spent doing research, the applicant's progress during that time, the level of engagement/independence on the project, presentation at a scientific conference (home institution, local, regional, national or international) and the quality of the research project description.
• An evaluation of the service and/or outreach activities in which the applicant has participated. Activities include — but are not limited to — hosting scientific speakers, leading campus events or hosting scientific events in the local community, such as with schools or museums. While all levels of participation are encouraged to apply, preference will be given to those who have (i) led activities rather than simply attending and (ii) participated in both campus activities and activities outside the campus community.
• The extent to which the applicant has been involved in their ASBMB Student Chapter (leadership, regular attendee or non-active member).
• The extent to which the references verify the above activities (research, outreach/service and student chapter involvement).
• The extent to which the applicant has experienced barriers to participating in these activities. Such barriers might include — but are not limited to — caregiving responsibilities, the need for employment to pay for their education or systemic barriers that exist due to the applicant's identity as a member of a historically underserved community.

Election into the honor society

After a student is elected into ΧΩΛ, a photo and short biography will be published on the ASBMB website. The student also will be recognized during the ASBMB William C. Rose Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education lecture at the ASBMB annual meeting and will be featured in ASBMB Today. Those unable to attend the annual meeting will be sent an official certificate and ΧΩΛ lapel pin.