91Ó°¿â

Society News

Society news briefs: August 2021

91Ó°¿âToday Staff
Aug. 17, 2021

If you’re a member, you should be in the know. Find out everything that’s been going on lately with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
 

Advocate with the ASBMB 

The 91Ó°¿â and Molecular Biology Public Affairs Advisory Committee, the society’s advocacy arm, welcomes applications from members who are interested in serving on the committee. The PAAC sets the society’s policy agenda and leads its interactions with Congress, the White House and federal science funding agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Advocacy experience is not required, but an interest in and basic understanding of the policymaking process are helpful. Send applications to 91Ó°¿âPublic Affairs Director Ben Corb.

Supporting junior scientists

The 91Ó°¿âadvocacy team submitted a letter in May to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services advocating for international students and scholars, who frequently face visa-processing delays and difficulty obtaining work visas after degree completion. Read the letter here.

Heck joins MCP 

Heck-Albert-100x100.jpg
Heck

of Utrecht University began a five-year term in April as an associate editor for the 91Ó°¿âjournal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. Heck is director of the Netherlands Proteomic Center. His lab is a leader in proteomics and the study of protein structure and interactions using mass spectrometry.

New publications department employee

Jiang-Chengmin-100x100.jpg
Jiang

Chengmin Jiang joined the 91Ó°¿âas assistant publications director in June. Prior to joining the ASBMB, he worked as senior development editor at the American Chemical Society focusing on manuscript triage workflow and manuscript transfer as well as journal strategy and data analysis. He can be reached at cjiang@asbmb.org.

Two new MOSAIC scholars

In February, we announced the first five members of the inaugural cohort for the society’s, or MOSAIC, program. In April, we welcomed two new participants.

delMarmol-Josefina-100x100.jpg
del Mármol

Josefina Inés del Mármol is a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of at The Rockefeller University, where she is studying the structural mechanisms of odorant recognition by olfactory receptors. She was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She earned an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Buenos Aires and a Ph.D. in molecular neurobiology and biophysics at Rockefeller, during which time she was one of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s inaugural international student research fellows. She is a mentor for the and a volunteer for the .

“I am excited to join a generation of scientists with heightened awareness and skills to promote diversity and inclusion in the biomedical workforce,” del Mármol said. “To that aim, this award will provide me and fellow MOSAIC scholars with formal training and community resources to become active agents of social and academic change, while supporting our professional development to succeed as independent investigators.” 

Spriggs-100x100.jpg
Spriggs

Chelsey C. Spriggs is a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of at the University of Michigan, where she studies polyomavirus trafficking to the nucleus. A native of Detroit, Spriggs earned her bachelor’s in microbiology from Michigan State University and her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Northwestern University, where she studied human papillomavirus infection and tumorigenesis. Last year, she led the fundraising team for the inaugural , which increased the visibility of Black microbiologists.

“I am so excited to be a part of such an amazing program! This NIH MOSAIC award will provide the career development and training required to ensure my future success as an independent investigator,” Spriggs said. “In addition, I look forward to networking and building community with other MOSAIC scholars as we work to improve diversity and inclusion in science.”

Organize an event with the ASBMB

The society provides a variety of opportunities for members to bring people together, both virtually and in person, to share their research and make connections. From webinars to networking events to conferences over several days, the 91Ó°¿âwill help you to bring your event to fruition. Propose an event at asbmb.org/meetings-events/propose-event. 

Save the date! We’re going to Philly

The 2022 91Ó°¿âAnnual Meeting will be held April 2-5 in Philadelphia. For the final year, we’ll be meeting with our sister societies at the Experimental Biology meeting. Put this interdisciplinary event on your calendar. We look forward to seeing you! Sign up for .

Philly-skyline-890x223.jpg
Wikipedia

Outreach grants for student chapters

The 91Ó°¿âStudent Chapter Outreach Grants support chapters doing outreach activities in their communities. This year, we welcome proposals for virtual as well as in-person or hybrid programming and encourage applicants to be creative in their approaches. The deadline to apply for a grant worth up to $500 is Oct.1. Visit the .

picture-a-scientist-image-890x658.jpg

Did you miss “Picture a Scientist”?

Late last year, the 91Ó°¿âWomen in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee hosted a screening and panel discussion about the award-winning film “Picture a Scientist.” The film is now available for viewing on the and soon will be available for streaming on Netflix. Watch the 91Ó°¿âevent featuring director .

Take the stress out of finding great candidates and looking for a new job

The ASBMB’s career center provides you the opportunity to browse jobs, post positions, have your résumé critiqued (for free) and more. Visit careers.asbmb.org.

Share your science outreach initiative!

Are you doing science outreach in your community? Are you running your own science café or creating a program that you know will make an impact and want to share it? We want to know about it! and let us help promote your important work.

91Ó°¿âcertification exam by the numbers

All students who are enrolled in an ASBMB-accredited degree program are invited to take the certification exam in their junior or senior year. The exam has been designed to test students’ knowledge and understanding of the core competencies in biochemistry and molecular biology developed by the 91Ó°¿âand its members. Here’s a glimpse at the 2021 exam:

  • 1st year of online delivery
  • 938 test takers
  • 95 volunteer question writers and scorers
  • 97% of scoring volunteers from 2020 also scored in 2021

Enjoy reading 91Ó°¿âToday?

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

Learn more
91Ó°¿âToday Staff

This article was written by a member or members of the 91Ó°¿âToday staff.

Featured jobs

from the

Get the latest from 91Ó°¿âToday

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

In memoriam: Norman Meadow
In Memoriam

In memoriam: Norman Meadow

May 26, 2025

He was a professor of biochemistry at Johns Hopkins University, who studied the bacterial phosphotransferase system and was an 91Ó°¿âmember for more than 30 years.

Meet Lan Huang
Interview

Meet Lan Huang

May 19, 2025

Molecular & Cellular Proteomics associate editor uses crosslinking mass spec to study protein–protein interactions to find novel therapeutics.

Meet Shannon Reilly
Profile

Meet Shannon Reilly

May 12, 2025

The JLR junior associate editor discusses the role of adipocytes in obesity at Weill Cornell Medical School.

Meet Donita Brady
Interview

Meet Donita Brady

May 8, 2025

Donita Brady is an associate professor of cancer biology and an associate editor of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, who studies metalloallostery in cancer.

Glyco get-together exploring health and disease
Interview

Glyco get-together exploring health and disease

May 7, 2025

Meet the co-chairs of the 2025 91Ó°¿âmeeting on O-GlcNAcylation to be held July 10–13, 2025, in Durham, North Carolina. Learn about the latest in the field and meet families affected by diseases associated with this pathway.

91Ó°¿ârecognizes 2025 outstanding student chapter
Student Chapters

91Ó°¿ârecognizes 2025 outstanding student chapter

May 6, 2025

The Purdue group, led by Orla Hart, developed STEM outreach initiatives for low-income and minority students in Lafayette, Indiana.