For Immediate Release: September 4, 2024, 11:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time
Media Contact: Kara Flynn, (202) 257-8424, press@ashg.org
ROCKVILLE, MD – The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) announced today the election of Susan A. Slaugenhaupt, PhD as ASHG’s 2025 President-elect; and of Melinda C. Aldrich, PhD, MPH, Chester W. Brown, MD, PhD, and Beth A. Sullivan, PhD to the ASHG Board of Directors. Their three-year term will begin on January 1, 2025.
Susan A. Slaugenhaupt, PhD, is the Scientific Director of the Mass General Research Institute. She is also a professor in the Department of Neurology at Mass General and Harvard Medical School, and an investigator in the Center for Genomic Medicine. Dr. Slaugenhaupt’s research focuses on treatment development for two rare genetic disorders, familial dysautonomia and mucolipidosis type 4, as well as understanding the role of mRNA splicing in human neurologic disease. She served previously on ASHG’s Board of Directors from 2018-2023, including 2022-23 as Treasurer. She also served as an associate editor of the American Journal of Human Genetics, chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, and as a member of the Awards Committee and Investment Committee.
Melinda C. Aldrich PhD, MPH, is an associate professor in the Division of Genetic Medicine within the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Aldrich’s area of expertise is in understanding genetic and non-genetic mechanisms driving disparities in lung cancer risk and survival and addressing inequities in lung cancer screening, particularly for African Americans and rural populations. She served previously on ASHG’s Government & Public Advocacy Committee and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.
Chester W. Brown, MD, PhD is the chief of genetics at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, as well as a professor and the St. Jude Chair of Excellence in Genetics for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. His research focuses on studying how genes control lean and fat body composition. He has studied how host genomic factors influence HIV and tuberculosis progression in African children, and is principal investigator and co-director of the Biorepository and Integrative Genomics (BIG) initiative. He has served as a mentor for members of ASHG’s Human Genetics Scholars Initiative.
Beth A. Sullivan, PhD, is the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Duke University. She is also the associate dean of research training at the Duke University School of Medicine and faculty director of the Duke Sequencing and Genomic Technologies Core. Her research focuses on chromosome organization, with a specific emphasis on the genomics and epigenetics of the chromosomal locus called the centromere. She also studies formation and fate of chromosome abnormalities associated with birth defects, reproductive abnormalities, and cancer. Dr. Sullivan serves as the chair of ASHG’s Program Committee and also served as a member and former chair of the Society’s Awards Committee.
The new Board members were nominated by ASHG members and elected by members in a recent election, and will join the following individuals to serve the 2025 Board of Directors (institutions presented for identification only):
- Sarah Tishkoff, PhD, President, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Bruce D. Gelb, MD, 2024 Past President, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Wendy Chung, MD, PhD, Treasurer, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Heather C. Mefford, MD, PhD, Secretary, St. Jude’s Hospital, Memphis, TN
- Christine Eng, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Joseph Gleeson, MD, University of California, San Diego
- Chris Gunter, PhD, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD (serving in her individual capacity)
- Ophir Klein, MD, PhD, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA
- Bruce Korf, MD, PhD, AJHG Editor-in-Chief, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Rebecca Meyer-Schuman, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Krystal Tsosie, PhD, MPH, MA, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- Digna Velez Edwards, PhD, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Scott Williams, PhD, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Amanda Perl, CEO, American Society of Human Genetics, Ex-officio
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About the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG)
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Human Genetics is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide. Its community of nearly 8,000 members include researchers, academicians, clinicians, laboratory practice professionals, genetic counselors, nurses, and others with an interest in human genetics. The Society serves scientists, health professionals, and the public by providing forums to: (1) share research results through the ASHG Annual Meeting and in The American Journal of Human Genetics and Human Genetics and Genomics Advances; (2) advance genetic research by advocating for research support; (3) educate current and future genetics professionals, health care providers, advocates, policymakers, educators, students, and the public about all aspects of human genetics; and (4) promote genetic services and support responsible social and scientific policies. For more information, visit: http://www.ashg.org.
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