2022 ASBMB Election

GENTRY, Matthew

Professor, University of Kentucky, Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry

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Matthew Gentry

Statement of interest

My first large scientific meeting was Experimental Biology. I was a graduate student and an ASBMB member. I was awestruck at the breadth and depth of biochemistry research and hooked for life. I was also struck by the outstanding mentoring opportunities that the ASBMB provided and the outreach that the society was performing.

As a faculty member, I have been fortunate to serve on the ASBMB Membership Committee, Public Affairs Advisory Committee, the Journal of Biological Chemistry editorial board and, most recently, ASBMB Council. In these roles, I have closely worked with the Education and Professional Development Committee, the Scientific Outreach and Communication Committee, the Student Chapters Committee, the Maximizing Access Committee (formerly the Minority Affairs Committee) and the Meetings Committee.

If selected to serve as an ASBMB Council member, my priorities would be:

  • Communicate to members how to utilize their passions to serve on an ASBMB committee.
  • Assist the society as it begins a search for a new executive director in 2023.
  • Provide insights to ASBMB President-elect Ann Stock, current Executive Director Steve Miller, and the future executive director regarding committee functions, strengths, opportunities and goals.
  • Advocate on behalf of the ASBMB to biochemists at all career stages on how the society can benefit them.

Education and training

  • B.S., molecular biology, University of Evansville
  • Ph.D., molecular biology, Syracuse University
  • Postdoctoral scholar, University of California, San Diego

Awards and honors

  • University of Kentucky Biomedical Education Exceptional Mentor Award (2021)
  • Academy of Medical Educator Excellence in Medical Education Award for Mentorship (2020)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship (2018)
  • University of Kentucky, University Research Professor Award (2017)
  • Mentoring Award for the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Research (2017)
  • National Institutes of Health IDeA Thomas Maciag Award for excellence in scientific discoveries and mentoring (2014)
  • National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2013–2018)
  • NINDS K99 Pathway to Independence Award (2007–2008)
  • ASBMB Postdoctoral Travel Award (2008)

Experience

  • Director, Brain & Epilepsy Alliance for Metabolism (BEAM) Research, University of Kentucky (2018–present)
  • Director, NIH P01-funded Lafora Epilepsy Cure Initiative (LECI) Center (2016–present)
  • Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky (2016–2022)
  • Associate professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky (2013–2016)
  • Assistant professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky (2008–2013)
  • Member, ASBMB Council (2020–2023)
  • Member, ASBMB Membership Committee (2017-2021)
  • Member, ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee (2014–2020)
  • Member, ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee Executive Committee (2015–2021)
  • Chair, ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee (2017–2019)
  • ASBMB Sustainable Biomedical Research Enterprise Summit (2016)
  • Member, Journal of Biological Chemistry Editorial Board (2015–2025)
  • Co-organizer, inaugural Glut1-Deficiency Syndrome Foundation Meeting (2021)
  • Organizer, International Lafora Disease Workshop (2016–2021)
  • NINDS Strategic Planning Committee — Mentoring Subgroup (2020)
  • NINDS Strategic Planning — Improving Communications and Outreach Panelist (2020)
  • Member, numerous National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation study sections