Theresa M. Koehler, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair, Dept. of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, Univ. of Texas - Houston

Candidate Statement

I have honed my administrative skills as chair of a medical school microbiology department and as a leader in multiple professional groups at national and international levels. As President-elect, I will apply my leadership experience and passion for microbiology to promote the microbial sciences across a large arena. I am enthused by strategies of the current ASM leadership to support the diverse activities of the society. I will work to (1) strengthen public confidence in our ability to improve the human condition through the advancement of scientific knowledge, (2) employ creative approaches to enhance and embrace membership of diverse backgrounds, and (3) capitalize on increased interest in infectious disease to engage scientists who are not formally trained in microbiology to join in our efforts to respond to emerging threats. My goal is to continue our trajectory toward making the ASM the most impactful professional organization for scientists in the country.

ASM-Related Activities

• Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students (ABRCMS), Student Travel Award Review Task Group, Reviewer, 2017.
• American Academy of Microbiology Fellow, elected 2008.
• ASM Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Meeting, Co-Chair, 2008–2010.
• ASM Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Meeting, Program Committee, 2006-2007.
• Reviewer, Book Proposals for American Society for Microbiology Press.

Robin Patel, M.D.

Elizabeth P. and Robert E. Allen Professor of Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Candidate Statement

As an ASM member for 3 decades, I have participated in and contributed to ASM’s journals (author, reviewer, associate editor), meetings (member and vice chair/co-chair of the ICAAC and ASM Microbe planning committees) and leadership [member and chair of the Board of Directors; ASM president (2019-2020)]. I am a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM), am currently chairing ASM's Governance Committee and serving on ASM's Finance Committee and the AAM Subcommittee on Elections. My goal in running for the position of Secretary is to continue to give back to ASM by providing leadership, mentorship, oversight and direction to the Society, assisting the President, and serving as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. I value responsiveness and transparency in leadership. ASM has a unique position among microbiology societies and one that must be nurtured to best support its members in a changing world.

ASM-Related Activities

• Governance Committee, Chair, 2022-2023.
• American Academy of Microbiology—Sub-Committee on Elections, Member, 2021-2025.
• ASM Council of Past Presidents, Member, 2020-2030.
• ASM Finance Committee, 2020-2023.
• Nominating Committee, Chair, 2020-2021.
• ASM President, 2019-2020.
• Governance Committee, Chair, 2019-2020.
• Appointments Committee, Chair, 2018-2019.
• Meetings Board, Member, 2017-2018.
• Microbe Program Committee, Member 2016-2018.
• American Academy of Microbiology Fellow, elected 2012.
• Editor, Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2009-2019.

Victor DiRita, Ph.D.

, Michigan State University

Candidate Statement

It is a privilege to run for ASM Treasurer. This is an extraordinary time in our field and for our Society, with new challenges and opportunities that we must confront and adapt to, as they will impact ASM finances and thus our ability to achieve our simple, profound mission of promoting and advancing microbial science. Our venerable Society can do anything, but cannot do everything, so we must set and communicate priorities. Working with the Board, ASM membership, and our professional staff, these are major functions of Treasurer. Service as ASM Treasurer also benefits from broad and deep knowledge of the Society, which I bring through previous service as an Editor for 2 of our journals, Membership Board Chair, COMS Chair and COMS-elected Board Member, interim inaugural member of the IDEAA committee and President. Further, as a department Chair my job heavily involves working with budgets and setting financial priorities.

ASM-Related Activities

• ASM Council of Past Presidents, Member 2021–2031.
• ASM Inclusive Diversity with Equity, Access and Accountability (IDEAA) Committee, Interim Member, 2021.
• Governance Committee, 2021-2025.
• Nominating Committee, Chair, 2021-2022.
• ASM President, 2020-2021.
• Scientific Writing and Publishing Course Task Group, Member, 2018-2019.
• ASM Board of Directors, 2017-2021.
• Appointments Committee, Member, 2017-2020.
• Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS), At-large Member, 2017-2020.
• Microbe Program Committee, 2016-2020.
• ASM Conferences Committee, Member, 2012-2016.
• ASM Membership Board, Chair, 2012 – 2016.
• ASM Microbe Planning Committee, Host-Microbe Biology Track Hub, Chair, 2016.
• ASM Professions of Microbiology Committee, Member, 2015.
• ASM Microbe meeting Steering Committee, Member, 2015.

Michael S. Gilmore, Ph.D.

Chief Scientific Officer, Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Massachusetts General Brigham

Candidate Statement

What is the future of ASM? Since my days as a graduate student, ASM has played an important role in broadening my horizons and building a wonderful network of connections. How we can best do this for the next generation of microbiologists is the central question. Since starting out as an assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, through leadership positions in the Harvard Medical School, Harvard University and Mass General Brigham systems, I have helped steer departments and institutions through good times, challenging times and changes.

This is a time of change for ASM. As a microbiologist, the focus of my interest is on multidrug resistant gram positive pathogens enterococci, staphylococci and streptococci. Our work uses genetic and genomic tools to understand these microbes through their ecology, pathogenesis and evolution, with a view toward devising new ways to treat and prevent infection.

As Co-Director of the Harvard University-wide Microbial Sciences Initiative, I encounter students and microbiologists in fields ranging from engineering to origins of life, and work with them to build a synergistic community. This is a microcosm of what ASM leadership does, and this experience may be of value. As former chair of NIH study sections and review panels, I also have experience working toward consensus, often from disparate starting points.

With imagination and creativity, I believe ASM can evolve as new means for communication and collaboration develop, and continue to play an important role in the career development of the next generation of microbiologists. I would be happy to contribute what I can to achieve that. Michael S. Gilmore, PhD; Sir William Osler Professor, Harvard Medical School; Co-Director, Microbial Sciences Initiative Harvard University; Chief Scientific Officer, Mass Eye and Ear/Mass General Brigham.

ASM-Related Activities

• Editor, mBio, 2013-Present.
• ASM Division D (Microbes of Medical Importance), Chair, 2008-2009.
• American Academy of Microbiology Fellow, elected 1998.

Christina Kellogg, Ph.D.

, U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Statement

It would be my honor to serve you as an At-Large Director. I bring a decade of experience (2007-2017) in ASM leadership from a major transition period (onboarding new CEO and some director-level positions, first implementation of open-access publishing, roll out of new communication plan and online platform, restructuring of governance). This experience provides me with institutional knowledge and a deep appreciation for the many ASM programs. I see the Society positioned to innovate new tools and services that facilitate the changing world of open access publishing, data-sharing requirements and data infrastructure improvement. These key areas are critical to support a vast array of microbial sciences, both clinical and environmental. How available, accessible and cost-effective these processes become heavily influences the equitability of those activities for our global membership.

ASM-Related Activities

• American Academy of Microbiology Fellow, elected 2021.
• ASM Communications Committee Strategic Planning Retreat, 2014.
• ASM Finance Committee, Member, 2013–2016.
• Council Policy Committee, At-Large Branch Representative, 2011–2017.
• ASM Florida Branch, Officer (Councilor, Secretary, President-elect, President, National Councilor), 2001–2011.

Lindsey Price Burbank, Ph.D.

Research Scientist, USDA Agricultural Research Service

Candidate Statement

ASM-Related Activities

• ASM Future Leaders Mentoring Fellowship mentor, 2022-2024.
• Microbiology Spectrum Data Policy Working Group, 2022.
• Editor, Microbiology Spectrum, 2021-2024.
• Editorial Board, AEM, 2019-2024.
• ABRCMS abstract reviewer, 2019, 2022.
• ABRCMS judge, 2019, 2022.

Brian Conlon, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Candidate Statement

ASM-Related Activities

• Editor, Microbiology Spectrum, 2022-2025.
• Editorial Board, Infection and Immunity, 2021-2023.

Amy Mathers, M.D., D(ABMM)

Associate Professor of Medicine and Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Candidate Statement

Shannon McQuaig Ulrich, Ph.D.

Professor, St. Petersburg College

Candidates Statement

It is my honor to be considered for this position. I am currently a full professor at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, FL. My research interests focus in environmental microbiology and astrobiology. I believe my position at a community college as a ‘teaching’ faculty member who has found time and resources to pursue research may lend a helpful perspective. Community colleges are educational sites for many first-generation students as well as minorities and/or low-income students. I would like to advocate for increased accessibility to research projects at these schools. Moreover, we are in a changing landscape of education, with undergraduate institutions increasing online course offerings. I believe ASM should lead discussions on the challenges of online education as it relates to students developing tactile laboratory skills and provide guidance and recommendations for online education. Inclusion of these topics in future planning discussions would be my priority as a COMS member.

ASM-Related Activities

• Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS), At-large Member, 2020-2023.
• ASM Florida Branch, Board Member, 2019 - present.
• ASM Florida Branch, President, 2017-2019.
• ASM Florida Branch, Vice President, 2015-2017.
• ASM Florida Branch, Secretary, 2013-2015.

Heidi B. Kaplan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Candidate Statement

I am strongly committed to promoting the COMS and ASM missions, which include supporting the microbial sciences and the ensuring the future of the society. Throughout my academic career I have had extensive involvement with ASM and the Texas Branch. My interest in serving as COMS Vice-Chair and then Chair is to have an impact on the COMS mission by overseeing and facilitating the activities of all 8 communities. I am especially interested in helping guide the subset of communities that will prepare and hold their retreats and develop their recommendations for the ASM Leadership in the next 2 years. I would like to implement an on-boarding program for new COMS members, to enhance their understanding of their role in COMS and the society before they attend their first meeting. I am also interested in strengthening the COMS charge to serve as the connection between ASM's members and ASM's leaders.

ASM-Related Activities

• Council on Microbial Science (COMS), Texas Branch Councilor, 2021-2024.
• Nominating Committee, 2021-2022 (Stepped down when nominated for COMS Vice-Chair).
• Membership Committee, 2015-2021.
• ASM Distinguished Lecturers Committee, Chair, 2015-2021.
• Career Development Grants for Postdoctoral Women, Committee Member, 2014-2023.
• ASM General Microbiology Division, National Chair, 1997-1998.

Vaughn Cooper, Ph.D.

Professor, The University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine

Candidate Statement

There’s never been a better time to be a microbiologist. We live in a microbial world of continuously evolving microbiomes, relentlessly emerging pathogens and the promise of microbial solutions to climate, food and health challenges. Microbial sciences are today’s priorities. I would be thrilled to continue serving on the Board to empower our leadership of these diverse fields and to help you advance your contributions. I represent the breadth of our membership as an evolutionary biologist and educator, having published research in all 8 scientific tracks in ASM journals. I am focused on our transition to open access publishing and continue advocating for focused, topical meetings that build communities and engage new members. My experience as COMS Chair and on the Board provided practical understanding of our financial landscape, history, and countless exciting opportunities. I’m eager to help direct and provide stewardship for your society and celebrate your discoveries.

ASM-Related Activities

• American Academy of Microbiology Fellow, elected 2022.
• Board of Directors Programmatic Committee (BDPC), Member, Nov.-Dec. 2021.
• Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS), Division Councilor, 2021-2024.
• ASM COVID-19 Research Registry, Assistant Curator-in-Chief, 2020-2022.
• Editor, mBio, 2019-2025.
• ASM Board of Directors, Council on Microbial Sciences, (COMS) Elected Board Director, 2019-2023.
• Division R (Evolutionary and Genomic Microbiology) Representative, Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS), 2018-2024.
• Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS), Chair, 2018-2019.

Vincent Young, Ph.D.

William Henry Fitzbutler Collegiate Professor in Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases Division and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School

Candidate Statement

It is my honor to be nominated as a candidate for the COMS-elected member of the Board of Directors of ASM. As a physician-scientist studying host-microbe interactions, the ASM played a key role in my training and development. My ASM related activities, ranging from attending ASM Microbe, publishing in and reviewing for ASM journals, traveling to branches as an ASM Distinguished Lecturer and as a member of COMS have all fostered my career as an infectious diseases physician, studying microbiology as it relates to human health and disease. As the “think tank” for the Society, COMS helps shape the future of the ASM. Having served as a COMS interdisciplinary counselor and now the chair of COMS, I am in the position to represent the broad perspective of a significant portion of the Society as a member of the Board. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the ASM.

ASM-Related Activities

• Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS), Chair, 2022-2023.
• Nominating Committee, 2021–2023 (stepped down when nominated for COMS-Elected Board Director).
• Senior Editor, mSphere, 2019-2024.
• Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS), Division Interdisciplinary Councilor, 2018-2022.
• American Academy of Microbiology Fellow, elected 2017.
• Associate Editor, Infection and Immunity, 2014-2019.
• Editorial Board, Infection and Immunity, 2011-2014.
• American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM), Committee Member, 2006-2009.