Professor of Biochemistry Pam Mertz served as the lead organizer of the 2023 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) summer education meeting, Transforming Undergraduate Education in the Molecular Life Sciences, held at Suffolk University in Boston, July 27-30. She worked with co-organizers Odutayo Odunuga, Stephen F. Austin University; Celeste Peterson, Suffolk University; and Joseph Provost, University of San Diego to develop a program around the themes of teaching in a diverse and equitable environment; leadership development; discipline-based education research; preparing students for jobs in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries; and supporting mid-career and shifting careers. In addition, seven National Science Foundation-funded education communities were showcased at the conference.
Professor Mertz gave a talk at the conference, “Leadership Opportunities with ASBMB: Professional Development and Community” and led a leadership session on negotiation. She served as a moderator for a spotlight talk session and helped facilitate breakout discussion groups on diversity, equity and inclusion and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat analysis of biochemistry and molecular biology programs. Mertz also serves as a co-principal investigator with the other three organizers on a $49,650 NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education grant (award number 2310451) that provided registration, travel, and parental care funds to increase access to the conference.
More info on the conference can be found in an interview in ASBMB Today: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/careers/040723/i-wish-i-had-this-when…