ASBMB Names Mona V. Miller as Next Executive Officer

Thursday, January 18, 2024
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) named Mona V. Miller its next chief executive officer.

Miller, who was most recently CEO of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) for six years, will take the reins at the ASBMB on April 1. 

She said she looks forward to “focusing on the pivotal role of fundamental science and highlighting its inherent wonder and importance, its irreplaceable role as a foundation for downstream discovery and applications, and its centrality to economic growth and human advancement.”

In an email announcement to ASBMB members, society President Ann Stock said that Miller is ideally suited to lead the development and implementation of a bold new strategic plan for ASBMB to navigate the changing landscape of scholarly publishing and scientific meetings and deliver diverse education and career-development support for the current and next generation of STEM professionals. 

Stock, a distinguished faculty member at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University, led the search committee, which voted unanimously to appoint Miller. “The committee sought out someone who would be both a strategic thinker and an inspirational team manager,” Stock said. “With an impressive record of achievements in previous leadership roles, Miller checks these boxes and more.”

Miller will bring to the ASBMB 25 years of science and health advocacy experience, 16 of them spent leading scientific organizations. She started her career in communications and public affairs, working for nonprofits, consultancies and a U.S. senator. She joined the Society for Neuroscience in 2013, where she did communications and was promoted over the next decade to deputy executive director for programs and later for both programs and finance. 

As CEO at ASHG, she launched and implemented a multiyear strategic plan and spearheaded strategies to increase diversity in governance and address issues related to genetics, ancestry, race, and racism. 

Ann West leads the ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee, which advocates on behalf of society members for evidence-based science policy, sustained investments in fundamental scientific research and workforce policies that enhance the training of the next generation of scientists and that increase diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the nation’s research enterprise.

“I’m very pleased that Mona has a passion for advocacy for fundamental research, which is critical for supporting biomedical advances. We are looking forward to working with her to increase visibility of the ASBMB, particularly our efforts for impacting relevant scientific policy and our engagement with congressional legislators,” said West, the associate vice president of research and partnerships at the University of Oklahoma. 

Miller has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Tulane University, a master’s degree in public policy (concentrating in nonprofit management) from Harvard University, and an executive education certificate in change management from New York University’s School of Business.

Miller replaces ASBMB veteran Stephen Miller (no relation), who is retiring in March after two decades of service to the society, the last three as executive director.