ASBMB taps 8 scientists and 1 politician for top awards

The Honorable Michael N. Castle, (R-DE), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, will receive the Howard K. Schachman Public Service Award. The Award recognizes an individual who best demonstrates dedication to public service in support of biomedical science. Castle was selected as this year's recipient of the Schachman Award in recognition of his repeated efforts to boost the budget of the National Institutes of Health since 2003, and for his efforts to promote a more rational Federal policy regarding use of Human embryonic stem cells.

Scott A. Strobel (Yale University, New Haven, Conn.) will receive the Schering-Plough Research Institute Award. The Schering Plough Award was established to recognize young investigators for outstanding research at an early stage of their careers. During his short career, Strobel has become a major leader in the study of the structure, function and mechanism of RNA molecules involved in catalytic processes.

John D. Scott (Oregon Health & Science University, Portland) will be honored with the William C. Rose Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to biochemical and molecular biological research and a demonstrated commitment to the training of younger scientists. Scott’s work on the AKAP family of scaffold proteins has transformed the field of intracellular signaling. He has also been an exemplary trainer of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to make their own contributions to the field of signal transduction.

Michael F. Summers (University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore) will receive the ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education. Summers has pioneered efforts to recruit and retain students traditionally lost to science and aided in broadening the diversity of students engaged in science. The award, administered annually by the ASBMB Education & Professional Development Committee, is given to a scientist who encourages effective teaching and learning of biochemistry and molecular biology through his or her own teaching, leadership in education, writing, educational research, mentoring or public enlightenment.

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization with over 11,900 members in the United States and internationally. Most members teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. Others conduct research in various government laboratories, nonprofit research institutions and industry. The Society’s student members attend undergraduate or graduate institutions.

Founded in 1906, the Society is based in Bethesda, Maryland, on the campus of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The Society's purpose is to advance the science of biochemistry and molecular biology through publication of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Journal of Lipid Research, and Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, organization of scientific meetings, advocacy for funding of basic research and education, support of science education at all levels, and promoting the diversity of individuals entering the scientific work force.

For more information about ASBMB, see the Society's Web site at www.asbmb.org