**Please Note, This Is Not the Voting Site.**
 

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, the Academy Fellows in good standing will receive an email from the American Academy of Microbiology with the link to the voting site. If you do not receive this email, check your spam filter. You should ensure your ASM and Academy membership dues are current. Only fellows in good standing are eligible to vote. If you renew your 2025 membership after Jan. 15, 2025, and would like to submit your vote, please contact ASM Customer Service at service@asmusa.org for assistance.

As a fellow of the Academy, this is your opportunity to choose the next leadership positions for the Academy. We count on your vote to determine who will represent your interests as a fellow and lead the Academy in an exciting direction to help advance the microbial sciences at ASM and benefit the Society.

Why Should I Vote?

  • I want my profession to witness a positive impact.
  • My science and my area of practice need to be represented in the Academy.
  • My leaders need to respond actively and quickly.
  • It is my right to choose the next Academy Governors and members of the Subcommittee on Elections.
  • My voice should be heard and represented.

Which Positions Are up for Election?

Academy Governors

What Are the Main Responsibilities of the Elected Positions?

The Primary Responsibilities of the Governors
  • Set strategic direction for the Academy programs.
  • Establish new programs consistent with the ASM and the Academy’s mission and strategic plan.
  • Develop and approve scientific activities and colloquia topics.
  • Oversee the fellowship nomination and election process.
  • Review and ratify fellow election recommendations of the Subcommittee on Elections.
  • Oversee the Subcommittee on Awards and the ASM Awards Program.

The Primary Responsibilities of the Subcommittee on Elections Members
  • Participate in the annual review of Academy fellowship nominations (October-December).
  • Review thoroughly and providing comments and scores on the nominees.
  • Vote on the final recommendations of the nominees to the governors.
  • Provide feedback to the governors about the annual fellowship nomination and review process.

This is your decision, and we ask that you choose the candidates who you think will strongly support ASM and the Academy, help us recognize excellence and advance in the microbial sciences. The deadline to vote is March 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Please send questions and concerns regarding the Academy election to Nguyen Nguyen, Ph.D., Director, American Academy of Microbiology.


Governors

Candidate for Incumbent Academy Governor Representing Division Group 1
Susan E. Sharp, Ph.D., D(ABMM)

Susan E. Sharp, Ph.D., D(ABMM)

Scientific Director, Copan Diagnostics, Inc.

Candidate Statement

Working within the AAM for the past years I have seen important strides in the area of AAM member inclusivity and chaired an ad hoc working group with 3 other AAM members to begin the creation of expanded areas of recognition for clinical microbiologists for admission to Fellowship. These efforts along with others will continue to be more inclusive by recognizing expertise outside academia and basic research. We should continue and expand these initiatives by a) using targeted messaging to current Academy members who have special ties to underrepresented communities, b) providing an application blueprint for non-native English speaking/resource-restricted members which would emphasize areas where the nominee excels (which may not be ‘classic’ avenues), and c) engaging with ASM members from diverse backgrounds to continue to provide insight into what is considered an exceptional career and how ‘success’ is measured in the diverse professions of our microbial sciences. As seen from a clinical and industrial perspective, growth in the science of NGS for infectious disease surveillance and treatment will provide new transformative initiatives where the Academy and ASM could have significant input. The Academy continues to have a major impact in the area of climate change by providing science and policy insight to help determine how microbes contribute to, as well as how microbes can be used in solutions to combat the effects of climate change. I look forward to continuing working with the Academy and ASM on these initiatives.  


Download Full Biosketch for Governor Division Group 1 Candidate.

Candidates for Academy Governors Representing Division Group 4
Deborah Bell-Pedersen, Ph.D.

Deborah Bell-Pedersen, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor of Biology, Texas A&M University

Throughout my academic career, I have gained insights into both fundamental and translational research in diverse model and non-model organisms. This has deepened my appreciation for the essential contributions that non-model systems and basic research bring to microbiology. These experiences have also provided a firsthand understanding of the challenges these critical areas face in securing funding and recognition. My service on NIH grant panels and collaboration with state legislators have sharpened my skills in advocating for broad research approaches and effectively conveying their value to stakeholders.   

I am deeply committed to promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Accountability (IDEAA) within the microbial sciences. If elected, I will champion initiatives to bridge the gap between microbial science research, policymakers, and the public. By developing targeted outreach programs, I aim to make the complexity and importance of microbial research accessible and understandable to non-experts, empowering informed policy decisions and sustained support for scientific advancement.   

To enhance inclusivity in research representation, a key goal will be to elevate the visibility and contributions of scientists working on under-studied microbial systems. By supporting the exploration of non-model organisms, we can broaden the scope of biological understanding and innovation within the microbial sciences. I look forward to collaborating with AAM and ASM to implement accessible, impactful initiatives that promote diversity, drive research progress and extend the societal benefits of microbiology research. 


Gerald L. Hazelbauer, Ph.D.

Gerald L. Hazelbauer, Ph.D.

Curators’ Distinguished Professor and Chair Emeritus , University of Missouri

Candidate Statement

As an AAM Governor, I would utilize my 50 years of experience as a microbiological researcher, academic administrator, and scientific society board member to pursue the vision and goals identified in the AAM Strategic Plan.

  • The Academy as a think tank. A fundamental theme in my research and administrative careers has been interdisciplinary collaboration.  I would bring that orientation to my service as an AAM Governor, particularly in its role as a think tank. 
  • Promote inclusive diversity. As the director of an NIH-funded biotechnology graduate training program involving six graduate programs in 4 colleges, I had central responsibility for championing inclusive diversity and cross-disciplinary collaboration in all its aspects.  This experience would serve me well in helping to pursue the AAM Strategic Goal to promote inclusive diversity.
  • Promote excellence in microbial sciences.  As an officer in the Protein Society, I was charged to develop the criteria for a newly funded award and was involved assessing development of new awards as well as identifying award winners.  I would use that experience to assist in pursuing the goals of maintaining the high selection standard for Academy fellowship and particularly in assisting to elevate the awards program. 
  • Engage fellows as mentors.  As the newly arrived chair of biochemistry at Missouri, I established a faculty mentor program for our pre-tenure faculty members that was flexible, relatively informal yet effective.  Using that experience, I would contribute to development of a roadmap for fellows to mentor early and mid-career microbiologists. 


Michael J. Imperiale, Ph.D.

Michael J. Imperiale, Ph.D.

Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Emeritus of Microbiology and Immunology , University of Michigan

Candidate Statement

My research career as a virologist began over 40 years ago. I have been a productive scientist, dedicated mentor and educator, and engaged member of the scientific community, including significant service to ASM, the University of Michigan, and other organizations. Two decades ago, I became interested in science policy when I was asked to serve as an inaugural member of the NSABB. I have devoted substantial efforts to this topic because I am convinced that scientists have a responsibility not only to the scientific enterprise but to the public, which funds and benefits from our work. Given the threats that infectious diseases will continue to pose to human, animal, and plant health, as well as to the environment, my experiences will allow me to ensure that the AAM, as a respected voice for the microbial sciences community, continues to play a key role in advancing the field.


Li Wu, Ph.D.

Li Wu, Ph.D.

Professor and the Endowed Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver, College of Medicine

Candidate Statement

If elected to the position, I will enhance ASM’s and AAM’s roles in leading microbial sciences by focusing on 3 action plans: 

1. Enhancing interdisciplinary collaborations. 

  • Groundbreaking discoveries in microbiology have demonstrated the significant impact of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations. ASM is uniquely positioned to enhance interdisciplinary collaborations through its established networking. 

  • (1) Collaborate with related discipline societies (e.g. Virology, Immunology); (2) provide fellowships and grants to encourage cross-discipline collaborations in microbiology research and education; (3) expand ASM partnership with other international professional societies. 

2. Building public trust in microbial sciences. 

  • To focus on enhancing public education and awareness of research on emerging or reemerging microbial pathogens with a profound societal impact. 

  • (1) Promote scientific communications with the public using social media and lay language; (2) include community participants of ASM conferences to enhance public education; (3) host webinars and workshops for microbiology education targeting teachers and students in public schools; (4) leverage the ASM Student Chapters to disseminate microbiology knowledge to the public. 

3. Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). 

  • DEI activities in academia enhance creativity and provide broader and important perspectives from different backgrounds. An essential part of ASM's mission is to embrace, elevate and embody DEI in the microbial sciences. 

  • (1) Enhance DEI of ASM meetings by increasing underrepresented minority speakers and attendees; (2) increase DEI of AAM committees and fellows, editors and board members of ASM journals; (3) connect with the ASM Branches and Student Chapters to promote DEI activities through fellowships, professional development and awards. 


Download Full Biosketches for Governor Division Group 4 Candidates.

Candidates for Academy Governors Representing International Fellow
Rup Lal, Ph.D.

Rup Lal, Ph.D.

INSA Senior Scientist, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi

Candidate Statement

If elected, I will prioritize aligning with the Academy’s mission by advancing impactful programs and enhancing fellowship engagement initiatives, particularly in underdeveloped countries, in line with the ASM Strategic Plan. 

  • Program Innovation: I will develop initiatives that address pressing microbial science challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance, environmental health and climate change. These programs will align with the Academy’s vision to respond to the evolving needs of science and society. 

  • Fellowship Engagement: By promoting a more inclusive nomination and election process, I aim to expand the Fellowship, amplifying diverse voices in microbial research and ensuring broad representation. 

  • Educational Outreach and Microbial Literacy: I plan to enhance the Academy’s educational outreach by introducing new colloquia, training programs and resources. These efforts will connect research to practical applications, promote microbial literacy and empower the next generation of scientists. 

  • Strengthening Collaborations in India: I will work to strengthen ties between ASM and Indian microbiological societies, such as AMI and MBSI, aligning their goals with ASM’s objectives. Additionally, by partnering with ASM’s Scientific Partnership Manager in India and IMiLI-SAC, I will provide significant momentum to ASM’s activities in the region. 


Christopher Rensing, Ph.D.

Christopher Rensing, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor , Fujian Agriculture & Forestry University

Candidate Statement

I’m dedicated to promoting and advancing microbial sciences around the world. I have lived and worked in 3 different continents, Asia, Europe and North America. This helped me to gain insights into different perspectives regarding teaching, doing effective research and fostering a collaborative atmosphere especially for young scientists. 

I have encouraged the next generation of microbiologists and contributed to the resolution of the most pressing global health challenges. I have mentored numerous postdocs, doctoral students, master students and undergraduates. Many have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. For example, Yang Zhang is the owner and founder of Wuhan Hongren Biomedicine Co., Ltd., employing more than 500 people. Others have become faculty members at Skidmore College, University of Arkansas, Huazhong Agricultural University and Bundeswehr Hochschule in Germany to name a few.  

I have strived to make the microbial sciences the most diverse field in STEM. My own experiences as a disabled scientist from a racially diverse family have given me the opportunity to appreciate the necessity for diversity in the workplace. It is my hope that due to my background I will present fresh experiences and viewpoints while simultaneously promoting broad inclusion those with experiences different than mine. Therefore, building up trusting and encouraging relationship as a mentor is also vital for future success in microbiology for my students. I believe this is an important steppingstone to decrease bias and inequality in microbial sciences and increase resilience necessary for young scientists to succeed. 


Download Full Biosketches for Governor reserved for international fellow.

Subcommittee on Elections

Candidates for Academy Subcommittee on Elections Representing Division 1
Esther Babady, Ph.D., D (ABMM), FIDSA, F(AAM)

Esther Babady, Ph.D., D (ABMM), FIDSA, F(AAM)

Director of the Clinical Microbiology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer

Candidate Statement

I am honored to stand for election to the Academy Subcommittee on Elections (SoE). Like many of you, election into the Academy was one of the greatest highlights of my career. I am a clinical microbiologist and passionate about improving patients’ health through my knowledge and expertise in developing and implementing novel diagnostic methods for rapid detection of infectious diseases. I have been an active member of ASM for over 15 years and a member of other related professional societies and organizations including the Pan-American Society for Clinical Virology, the Association for Molecular Pathology, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Through my various roles and committees, I have developed an appreciation and great understanding for the many ways scientists achieve excellence. From service, academic output, publications, training and advocacy, I believe that selecting a group of fellows with diverse experiences and backgrounds will strengthen the ability of the Academy to achieve its strategic initiative and support the mission of ASM. As a member of the SoE, my plan would be to use my knowledge and experience and contribute my time and efforts to help bring a diverse group of nominees for selection by the Governors.


Kasturi Haldar, Ph.D.

Kasturi Haldar, Ph.D.

Rev. Julius A. Nieuwland CSC Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame

Candidate Statement

I am recognized for my scientific accomplishments in pathogenic eukaryotes, as well as lipid trafficking in bacteriology, and immune dysfunction in genetic disorders. As co-Editor-in-Chief of PLOS Pathogens for 18 years, I also gained a broad understanding of innovative research across microbial pathogenesis, including viruses, plant pathogens and evolutionary biology. Consequently, I can judge research contributions in my area of pathogenic eukaryotes in context of wide range of disciplines across microbiology and host-pathogen interactions. As a woman of color, I will support ASM and the Academy Strategic Plan to strengthen representation of eukaryotic microbes and global diversity (because of my work with many DEI trainees and international settings). In my 4-year term, I will be an active member of the Fellowship nomination review process, attend the subcommittee conference call to discuss the nominees, participate in the annual review of Academy Fellowship nominations, provide comments and scores and vote on the final recommendations of the nominees to the Governors, provide feedback to the Governors about the annual fellowship nomination and review process and respond in a timely manner to requests by the Chair and staff related to SoE activities. 

I am an elected fellow of the American Academy of the Microbiology, with dues paid (lifetime). I commit to serve and advance the mission of the ASM. 


Randall Hayden, M.D.

Randall Hayden, M.D.

Director of Clinical Pathology and Global Pathology and Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Candidate Statement

Maintaining leadership and identity in the setting of widely disparate technologies in Clinical Microbiology will continue to be a challenge for ASM and the Academy. As workforce and institutions transition to increasingly mechanized, automated and AI-driven testing paradigms both of these groups must take a key leadership role in driving the best use and adaptation of these methods for clinical care (ASM's new Strategic Roadmap and structure are well-suited to this effort). I will bring my own perspective from the care of pediatric immunocompromised patients in an institution that has moved quickly to investigate and adapt new scientific and treatment paradigms. 
 
The continued global engagement of ASM is critical to its mission and intersects with my own interests and experience in helping to enable patient care in resource-limited settings. Bringing my own experiences and perspectives, gained over roughly 15 years of work in global medicine, is an opportunity to help shape this important area of growth and value for the organization. This includes not only a recognition of the deep and varied practice needs and gaps across the globe, but also experience in various ways of partnering with global collaborators so that each may find maximum added value from the resources and expertise that are hall marks of ASM. 


Yi-Wei Tang, M.B., Ph.D.

Yi-Wei Tang, M.B., Ph.D.

Academic Dean, College of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University

Candidate Statement

If elected to the Subcommittee on Elections, Yi-Wei Tang plans to leverage his extensive experience in clinical and molecular microbiology to enhance the Academy’s efforts in fostering scientific excellence, collaboration, and global engagement. The key objectives include: 

  • Strengthening the Selection Process: By applying rigorous evaluation criteria and his expertise in identifying innovative leaders, he aims to ensure the inclusion of diverse, qualified members who align with the Academy's mission of advancing microbiological science. 

  • Promoting Diversity and Equity: As former Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Society for Microbiology and a global researcher, he will advocate for equitable representation, fostering international collaboration and inclusivity within ASM. 

  • Expanding Thought Leadership: With editorial roles and over 20 years of contributions to the field, he will prioritize identifying candidates who bring transformative ideas, thus supporting ASM's strategic goals of scientific advancement and societal impact. 

These plans align closely with ASM's mission to inspire innovation, advance knowledge, and support a global microbiological community.


Download Full Biosketches for Subcommitee on Elections Division Group 1 Candidates.

Candidates for Academy Subcommittee on Elections Representing Division 2
Garth D. Ehrlich, Ph.D.

Garth D. Ehrlich, Ph.D.

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Otolaryngology, Drexel University College of Medicine Microbiology and Immunology

Candidate Statement

I will bring a lifetime of experience as a successful team builder to evaluating nominees for AAM fellowship. Using my ability to judiciously evaluate talent, a significant aspect of my career has been constructing teams of highly innovative scientists that collectively have broken down traditional academic silos, both scientific and clinical. I have learned that many true thought leaders are not necessarily those with the loudest voices or the grandest platforms, but rather are often the quiet folks who have thought long and deeply about a problem. I see the Subcommittee on Elections role, in part, is to promote these contemplative folk along with their more charismatic counterparts. Thus, if elected to this position, I would use my skills to fairly evaluate scientists and scientist/educators from multiple backgrounds and career paths to participate within the academy and to share their passion and expertise. We need to enhance our pipeline of future microbiologists, and this means elevating scientist/educators who engage and recruit students to the field of microbiology. There are scores of tremendous educator scientists, tackling profoundly difficult problems with nothing more than undergraduate research interns. We need them to teach us and perhaps more important our policy makers what resources are needed for us as a society to be able to recruit, retain, and develop our future generations of microbiologists to support public health and agricultural efforts to combat an ever-increasing number (and frequency) of agricultural, zoonotic and vector-borne infectious diseases driven by climate change and global homogenization. 


Yiping W. Han, Ph.D.

Yiping W. Han, Ph.D.

Professor, Columbia University

Candidate Statement

If elected to join the Subcommittee on Elections, I will uphold the high standard of AAM in selection of new fellows, while advocating for inclusion and diversity of the fellowship. 

Furthermore, as President-Elect of Sino-Micro Group, I will work closely with ASM leadership to promote ASM presence and increase membership among Chinese communities. 


Download Full Biosketches for Subcommittee on Elections Division 2 Candidates.

Candidates for Academy Subcommittee on Elections Representing Division 3
Samantha Joye, Ph.D.

Samantha Joye, Ph.D.

Regents' Professor and Athletic Association Distinguished Professorship of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia

Candidate Statement

I am happy to be considered for a position on the Subcommittee on Elections (SoE) of the American Academy for Microbiology. With a deep commitment to advancing microbial sciences and fostering inclusive excellence, I want to contribute to the Academy’s mission by promoting transparent, equitable, and rigorous election processes for Fellowship. 

As a proponent of the Academy’s IDEAA (inclusive diversity with equity, access and accountability) framework, I am dedicated to ensuring that the Fellowship nomination and election processes reflect these principles. I will work diligently to evaluate nominees fairly and thoroughly, recognizing diverse contributions to the microbial sciences and reducing barriers to participation. By promoting inclusivity, I want to help ensure that the Academy continues to serve as a role model and leader in advancing equity within the scientific community. 

Furthermore, I am passionate about upholding excellence in microbial sciences through concrete actions. This includes maintaining the Academy’s high standards for Fellowship while embracing innovative ways to recognize outstanding scientific achievements across subfields of microbiology. I will approach this responsibility with fairness, transparency and an unwavering commitment to excellence. 


Anwar Huq, Ph.D

Anwar Huq, Ph.D

Research Professor, University of Maryland

Candidate Statement

ASM is the largest microbiology society in the world, and it is known everywhere in the world. I came to know about ASM in the late '60s and early '70s when I was studying microbiology for my undergraduate degree, as ASM journals were frequently cited in all microbiology books. Several years later, I remember the day when the first hard copy of an Applied and Environmental Microbiology journal I received in the mail, after becoming a member first time of ASM in 1980. It was a very especial feeling that I cherish even today.   

Since 1980, I have been attending ASM general meetings every year except for a few, as I put on my calendar the meeting dates as soon as it is announced. My personal perspective about ASM broadened as I began traveling to other countries and realized how important ASM had been to them. Attending and presenting at the ASM meeting is a dream for most microbiologists in the world. Then, after becoming a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology in 1999, perhaps the highest level of recognition for a microbiologist, gave me different level of feeling which I later found from others is a dream of many accomplished microbiologists around the world. So, one of my agendas will be to find ways to make ASM and AAM more familiar to all microbiologists internationally and give the brightest of the brights an opportunity to be recognized paving a way for them contribute to the Academy. 


Download Full Biosketches for Subcommittee on Elections Division 3 Candidates.
 

Candidates for Academy Subcommittee on Elections representing Division 4
Dirk Dittmer, Ph.D.

Dirk Dittmer, Ph.D.

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Candidate Statement

In addition to researching the basic aspects of viral pathogenesis, I direct UNC’s global oncology program, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the past 15 years, this role allowed me to connect with microbiologists worldwide, as part of pandemic preparedness and also with regard to some of the less glamorous infections, that nevertheless place an enormous burden on societies. The microbiology community can learn from our international colleagues who treat microbial infections every day, which many of us have only read about in textbooks. I hope my experience in putting together global basic research and clinical endeavors will be helpful in recognizing leaders in the field and their impact. Good people are around us; they need to be recognized and given a voice.  


Wade Winkler, Ph.D.

Wade Winkler, Ph.D.

Professor of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics and Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland

Candidate Statement

I am committed to supporting AAM’s strategic priorities in advancing scientific knowledge, policy, and leadership. I plan to contribute to AAM’s focus on fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in microbiology, ensuring that diverse perspectives on microbiology are heard and supported. Additionally, I am eager to promote the integration of microbiology into policy decisions that influence public health and environmental stewardship, ensuring that scientific insights can provide effective solutions. The overarching goal of AAM and ASM is to ensure that the next generation of scientists is well prepared to tackle the challenges ahead. Therefore, if chosen for the Subcommittee on Elections, I would strive to select scientists that represent broad microbiological perspectives and are high-impact leaders in their fields. 


Download Full Biosketches for Subcommittee on Elections Division 4 Candidates.