ASBMB names Mona V. Miller as next executive officer

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology today named Mona V. Miller its next chief executive officer, effective April 1.

Miller is an experienced association leader with significant experience in strategic planning, advocacy and fundraising. Most recently, she was CEO of the American Society of Human Genetics. Before that she held multiple high-level positions at the Society for Neuroscience.

Miller said she was drawn to the ASBMB because “scientifically, biochemistry and molecular biology is at the forefront of knowledge that is transforming health and society.”

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.”

Miller’s appointment follows an exhaustive, nationwide search process, conducted by a search committee.

Ann Stock, president of the ASBMB and chair of the search committee, said Miller rose to the top of a deep pool of highly qualified candidates. “The committee sought out someone who would be both a strategic thinker and an inspirational team manager,” Stock, a distinguished professor at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University, said. “With an impressive record of achievements in previous leadership roles, Mona checks these boxes and more.”

Miller is steeped in nonprofit strategy and fundraising. At ASHG, she launched the strategic planning process and led a multiyear implementation. At SfN, she obtained more than $2.4 million in grants to support Latin American scientists, women in STEM, scientific workforce diversity and scientific rigor.

Joan Conaway is the ASBMB’s president-elect, a member of the search committee and the vice provost and dean of basic research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She said the committee found Miller to be an innovative and thoughtful leader with the financial-management experience needed to lead the ASBMB into its next phase.

“Mona has a strong background in organizational leadership and financial management,” said Conaway, the society’s former treasurer. “As CEO of ASHG, she grew revenue by 25% by diversifying and securing new revenue streams. At SfN, she had direct responsibility for SfN’s financial management, including development and approval of its annual budget, reserve and membership revenue. She also led donor relations and oversaw annual meeting and journal finances.”

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.

She started her career in communications, holding roles over six years at the American Women’s Economic Development Corporation, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the office of U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md. She then entered public affairs consulting, working for multiple firms and for herself for five years before joining the Pew Charitable Trusts in 2004.

Miller entered the scientific society sphere in 2007. She did communications and public affairs for SfN and was promoted to deputy executive director in 2012. She became CEO of ASHG in 2017 and remained there until November 2023.

Stock said ASBMB engages in a broad scope of activities that reflect the diverse interests of society members. “Mona’s previous experience in many different areas coupled with her passion for science will make her an effective partner with Council, staff and volunteers to advance initiatives to support our members,” she said.

Miller succeeds Stephen Miller (no relation), who is retiring March 31 after serving the society in several roles since 2004 and as its executive director since 2021.

About the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Founded in 1906, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) is a professional scientific organization located in Rockville, Maryland, with a storied history of advancing the mechanistic understanding of nature through promoting the highest-quality research in biochemistry and molecular biology. As an international nonprofit scientific society with over 11,000 members, it is one of the most important learned scientific societies.

The ASBMB is devoted to its mission of advancing science and scientific research, education, and the understanding of the molecular nature of life processes. It serves the scientific community through publications, meetings and events, education and professional development programs, advocacy, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.