Current Contributors
Former Contributors
Rashada Alexander
Before her departure, Rashada, a chemist by training, managed a portfolio spanning basic science to American Indian/Alaska Native-focused health research partnerships to scientific infrastructure and research capacity.
Richard Anderson
Before his retirement in June 2010, Richard administered research grants focused on the mechanisms that control cell growth and differentiation. He also oversaw the NIGMS Human Genetic Cell Repository.
Jim Anderson
Before his retirement in May 2012, Jim had a long-standing interest in systems biology, promoting its approaches to study cell and molecular biology. He also fostered the development of bacterial informatics, including the establishment of an online genomic resource for the E. coli K12 bacterium.
Vernon Anderson
Vernon, a former biochemistry and chemistry professor, managed grant portfolios spanning the areas of bioinorganic chemistry, bioenergetics and mitochondrial physiology, oxidative stress, and enzymology prior to his retirement in October 2020.
Julia Barthold
Before leaving NIGMS in December 2020, Julie was the project coordinator for the Institutional Development Award Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR) program, and managed Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE).
Ravi Basavappa
Before transferring to the NIH Office of the Director in October 2010, Ravi administered grants in the Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics and was the Institute’s AIDS-related research coordinator. He also was involved in several NIH Common Fund programs, including the NIH Director’s Pioneer and New Innovator Awards and the nanomedicine initiative.
Michael Bender
Before his retirement in June 2024, Michael handled grants in the areas of RNA processing, protein synthesis, mRNA metabolism and translational control, and regulatory RNAs as well as grants for the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program. He also oversaw the NIGMS Human Genetic Cell Repository.
Jeremy Berg
As former NIGMS director, Jeremy oversaw the Institute’s programs to fund biomedical research and to train the next generation of scientists. He was a leader in many NIH-wide activities and also found time to study a variety of molecular recognition processes in his NIH lab.
Rosalina Bray
Before transferring to NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in January 2012, Bray contributed her expertise in program development, strategic planning, and evaluation to the NIGMS Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation.
Paul Brazhnik
Before his retirement in December 2021, Paul oversaw grants in the areas of bioinformatics, computational biology, systems biology, biostatistics, and biological network modeling. In addition, he directed the Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences.
Jeremy Brown
Jeremy, an emergency medicine physician with a clinical research background, directs the NIH Office of Emergency Care Research, which was transferred from NIGMS to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in January 2018.
Patrick H. Brown
A protein chemist and former teacher, Patrick administered diversity-focused institutional research training grants, individual fellowships and administrative supplements before transferring to NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences in December 2022.
Sheila Caldwell
Before leaving for NIH OD in 2023, Sheila managed the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program, as well as components of the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program.
Emily Carlson
Before transferring to the NIH Office of the Director in October 2017, Emily oversaw the Feedback Loop and other efforts to inform and engage different audiences on NIGMS’ goals, activities, and results.
Jean Chin
Before her retirement in March 2017, Jean managed research grants in membrane biochemistry and biophysics, transport and lipid metabolism, and she served as the NIGMS contact for Academic Research Enhancement Awards (R15). Her other activities included supporting the development and maintenance of research resources, such as the Lipidomics Gateway 
and the PSI:Biology Materials Repository.
Alison Cole
Before her retirement in December 2019, Alison handled research and training grants in anesthesiology and peri-operative pain as well as predoctoral training grants on molecular medicine.
Stephanie Constant
Before moving to the NIH Office of the Director in April 2023, Stephanie was chief of the NIGMS Scientific Review Branch. She oversaw the peer review of a broad range of research, training, education, and center grant applications assigned to NIGMS.
Bob Coyne
Before his retirement in 2023, Bob managed grants in the areas of chromosome structure and the microbiome, as well as postdoctoral fellowships and the Bridges to the Doctorate training program.
Luis Cubano
Before his departure in October 2019, Luis administered the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC), Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) and Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE), and the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP). He also managed the Diversity Program Consortium’s Sponsored Programs Administration Development (SPAD) and Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) initiatives, as well as research grants in protein folding and degradation.
Behrous Davani
Behrous managed Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA), and the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) programs prior to moving to the National Cancer Institute in April 2022.
James Deatherage
Before his retirement in May 2019, Jim managed grants on cell division, motility, and organization, and on technology development of light microscopy.
Travis Dorsey
Travis, an economist by training, was a program analyst in the NIGMS Division of Data Integration, Modeling, and Analytics before leaving for the Small Business Administration in July 2022.
Régine Douthard
Before transferring to the NIH Office of the Director in January 2017, Régine, who trained in family care and environmental and occupational medicine, managed grants supported through the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program as well as the dual-degree predoctoral F30 fellowship program.
Jilliene Mitchell Drayton
Jilliene wrote about NIGMS diversity programs and also disseminated information about NIGMS-funded research and programs through a number of outreach activities, events, and meetings.
Sarah Dunsmore
Prior to her transfer to the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences in September 2020, Sarah managed a variety of grants involving innate immunity, inflammation, and sepsis. She was the primary contact for information about NIGMS-funded sepsis research.
Irene Eckstrand
Before her retirement in December 2014, Irene was our expert on evolutionary biology and managed scientific programs to develop models of disease spread as well as models of scientific workforce dynamics.
Charles G. Edmonds
Before his retirement in August 2017, Charles managed research grants in the development and application of proteomic and structural biology methods and techniques.
Jessica Faupel-Badger
Before transferring to NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences in January 2018, Jessica managed the Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards (IRACDA) and the Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRAT) Program, an intramural training program at NIH.
Barbara Gerratana
Before transferring to NIH’s Office of the Director in January 2017, Barbara handled research grants in enzymology and biotechnology, including natural products biosynthesis, as well as institutional predoctoral training grants in biotechnology and NIH Pathway to Independence Awards in pharmacology, physiology, and biological chemistry. Barbara played an active role in the International Cooperative Biodiversity Group program, which is co-funded by NIH.
Joe Gindhart
Before transferring to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in February 2023, Joe managed grants involving cytoskeletal motor proteins, cell motility, intracellular transport, and protein quality control. He also managed the Medical Scientist Training Program.
J. Rafael Gorospé
Before transferring to OD/DPCPSI in February 2020, Raffy, a geneticist by training, has conducted and published research on a number of childhood genetic disorders of brain and skeletal muscle. While at NIGMS, he managed multicomponent grants supported through the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program.
Susan Gregurick
Before transferring to the NIH’s Office of Data Science Strategy, Susan directed the NIGMS division that supports a range of research and training activities, including in the fields of computational biology, bioinformatics, mathematical and statistical biology, and biomedical technology development.
Judith Greenberg
Before her retirement in October 2020, Judith was the deputy director of NIGMS and the acting director of the Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences. In the past, she also served as the acting director of the Institute and as the director of the former Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology. She led the development of the NIGMS strategic plan issued in 2008 and the development and implementation of the NIGMS strategic plan for training issued in 2011.
Ann Hagan
Until her retirement in early 2019, Ann was director of extramural activities. In this position, she set and coordinated grant funding policies and procedures, and advised staff on the best grants management practices.
Alison Hall
Before leaving NIGMS in July 2017, Alison was deputy director of the Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity. She has 30 years of experience in academia, including conducting research, overseeing graduate education at a medical school, serving on and chairing T32 study sections, and directing NIH-funded diversity programs.
Sue Haynes
Before her retirement in August 2017, Sue specialized in reproductive biology and embryonic development, including the basic biology of embryonic and adult stem cells. She started her career studying the fruit fly’s genetic control of early embryonic and reproductive development.
Lisa Hechtman
Lisa, who was trained in psychology and neuroscience, worked as a program analyst in the NIGMS Division of Data Integration, Modeling, and Analytics before moving to the Small Business Administration in June 2020. She used data analysis techniques and behavioral science knowledge to examine NIGMS’ training, research, and funding efforts.
Tanya Hoodbhoy
A developmental and reproductive biologist, Tanya managed developmental genetics research grants before moving to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in February 2022.
Daniel Janes
Prior to moving to NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health in November 2021, Dan managed the NIGMS portfolio on population genetics and evolution as well as K99 postdoctoral awards and the MIDAS modeling network.
Warren Jones
Before his retirement in May 2012, Warren handled research grants in enzymology, particularly those concerned with the chemical and structural basis of catalysis, and he had a long-standing interest in metabolic engineering. He also managed post-award aspects of the NIH Director’s Pioneer Awards program and served as the NIGMS liaison for legislative affairs.
Irina Krasnova
Irina is a neuroscientist by training. She managed grants supported through the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program and was also program lead for the Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) program prior to moving to NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences in May 2024.
Story Landis
Before her retirement in September 2014, Story directed the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and co-chaired the search committee for a new NIGMS director.
Bob Lees
Before his retirement in December 2019, Bob, who is trained in synthetic and bioorganic chemistry, managed research grants in organic chemistry. Prior to joining the Institute, he served as a scientific review officer in the NIH Center for Scientific Review and as a program director at the National Cancer Institute.
Ming Lei
Before leaving NIGMS in 2023, Ming served as the director of the Division for Research Capacity Building. He oversaw the Institutional Development Award (IDeA), Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH), Science Education Partnerships Awards (SEPA), and Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) programs.
Cathy Lewis
Until her retirement in January 2017, Cathy directed the NIGMS division that supports basic research and training in cell biology and biophysics. She played an active role in developing new NIH initiatives in single molecule biophysics and live cell imaging.
Christina Liu
Christina, who trained in chemical engineering and medical imaging, was the chief of the Biomedical Technology Branch. She oversaw a portfolio of biomedical technology development and dissemination, national and regional resources, and technology development grants prior to moving to the National Institute of Mental Health in May 2024.
Peter Lyster
Before his retirement in 2022, Peter managed grants in biological modeling and bioinformatics, and he played an active role in the NIH Biomedical Information Science and Technology Initiative.
Stefan Maas
Before moving to the National Cancer Institute in November 2020, Stefan managed research grants in the areas of cell growth, differentiation, homeostasis, and cell death. He also oversaw small business grants in genetics and developmental biology and institutional training grants in systems and integrative biology.
Alisa Zapp Machalek
Originally trained in biochemistry, Alisa wrote about the full range of NIGMS-supported research before transferring to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in April 2020. She managed the NIGMS image and video gallery, and helped foster science education at NIH.
Stephen Marcus
Before transferring to the Department of Veterans Affairs in May 2018, Stephen managed scientific programs in basic behavioral and social science research and in modeling social behavior at multiple scales.
Pamela A. Marino
Before her retirement in December 2019, Pamela handled grant portfolios in glycobiology and molecular immunology, served as a project team leader for the NIH Common Fund Glycoscience Program, and was a steering committee member for the NIH Alliance of Glycobiologists for Cancer Research. She chaired the NIH Intramural Glycobiology Scientific Interest Group Steering Committee and the glycobiology interagency working group.
Michele McGuirl
Before moving to NIDCR in 2024, Michele was the acting director of the Division for Research Capacity Building (DRCB). Before taking on this role, she was chief of DRCB’s Research Advancement Programs Branch, where she oversaw IDeA Clinical and Translational Research programs and managed grants for the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence.
Richard Nakamura
Before his retirement in April 2018, Richard was director of the NIH Center for Scientific Review, which oversees the receipt and referral of about 80,000 NIH grant applications a year.
Emerald Nguyen
Emerald was a data scientist in the NIGMS Division of Data Integration, Modeling, and Analytics before moving to the National Institute on Aging in December 2021.
Chris Palmer
Before leaving NIGMS in August 2018, Chris communicated about funded research through blog posts and videos.
Brian Pike
Brian was a scientific review officer in the NIGMS Scientific Review Branch. He oversaw the review of a broad range of basic and clinical research applications, research education and training programs, and various NIGMS special initiatives.
Clifton Poodry
Until his retirement in January 2014, Clif oversaw the NIGMS Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD).
Matt Portnoy
Before transferring to the NIH Office of the Director, Office of Extramural Research, in February 2011, Matt was responsible for grants related to DNA repair and recombination and also coordinated SBIR and STTR small business grants for NIGMS.
Peter Preusch
Until his retirement in December 2020, Peter handled grants on the biophysics of nucleic acids and nucleoprotein complexes and on the biophysics of membranes and membrane proteins. He also managed other programs in the BBCB division and served as the point of contact for the NIGMS Collaborative Program Award for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1) and NIGMS National and Regional Resources (R24).
Veerasamy “Ravi” Ravichandran
Ravi managed research, resource, and training grants related to bioinformatics and computational biology and coordinated trans-NIH activities related to big data prior to moving to NIH’s National Library of Medicine in August 2022.
Karin Remington
Until May 2012, Karin directed the Division of Biomedical Technology, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology. She also chaired the trans-NIH Biomedical Informatics Science and Technology Initiative and represented NIH in interagency coordination efforts in Networking and Information Technology Research and Development .
Haluk Resat
Haluk handled research and training grants in the areas of computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, mathematical biology, big data, and biomedical technology research resources. He also directed the Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences before leaving NIGMS for a position with the NIH Common Fund.
Christa Reynolds
Christa worked on expanding the Diversity Program Consortium’s outreach through social media, blogs, and other communication approaches.
Alberto Rivera-Rentas
Before transferring to NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health in February 2012, Alberto managed research training programs that increase the participation of underrepresented students in biomedical research. He represented NIGMS on the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research.
Sally Rockey
Until September 2015, Sally was NIH’s deputy director for extramural research. She oversaw the development and implementation of NIH research funding policies, which she discussed on her blog Rock Talk.
Mike Rogers
Until his retirement in May 2015, Mike was a division director with his hands in several research and training pots: chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, pharmacology, anesthesiology, and the physiological response to trauma and burns. He also had a major interest in fostering both drug discovery and development and cooperation between NIH and industry.
Desirée Salazar
Before moving to NIH’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in November 2021, Desirée directed the Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) program. She also managed the Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards (IRACDA); the Supplement Program for Continuity of Research During Critical Life Events; predoctoral research training grants in Cellular, Biochemical, and Molecular Sciences (T32); and research grants in the area of stem cell biology and regeneration.
Before moving to the Department of Energy in May 2021, Paul managed grants in technology development and collaborative science. His interest in interdisciplinary research was developed through his academic background in physics, cell biology, and pharmacology, and work in the biotech industry.
John Schwab
Before his retirement in May 2011, John handled grants in synthetic organic chemistry, natural products chemistry, and high-throughput chemistry. He was heavily involved in chemical methodologies and library development, including a related NIH Roadmap initiative.
Paul Sheehy
Before transferring to NIH’s National Eye Institute in May 2016, Paul worked on various aspects of grants policy. One of his major interests was in IT systems for grant application and administration, including Grants.gov and the eRA Commons.
Douglas Sheeley
Before transferring to NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in October 2017, Doug co-lead the Biomedical Technology Research Resources program and served as the program director for the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study. He also was the project team leader for the NIH Common Fund Technology Centers for Networks and Pathways program.
Shiva Singh
Before leaving NIGMS in January of 2022, Shiva, a microbiologist with extensive experience in scientific administration, managed predoctoral T32 training programs, predoctoral F30 and F31 fellowships, as well as a broad array of other undergraduate and graduate student training and development programs.
Darren Sledjeski
Before leaving NIGMS in March 2023, Darren was deputy director of the Division of Extramural Activities. He assisted the director in overseeing the grant-related activities of the Institute, including grants policies and procedures; the development of funding opportunities; and the receipt, referral, review, and fiscal management of grants. Additionally, he advised senior staff on the planning, development, and administration of Institute grant activities.
Ward Smith
Ward, a structural biologist, managed grants in biophysics. He directed the Protein Structure Initiative and guided the scientific course of several protein databases as well as biomedical research at NIH-supported synchrotron facilities.
Scott Somers
Before his retirement in December 2019, Scott managed grants that examine the body’s responses to burns, traumatic injuries, and surgery at all levels—from molecular and cellular changes to the body-wide reactions seen in critically ill patients.
Helen Sunshine
Until her retirement in April 2016, Helen oversaw the review of a broad range of research, research training, research education, and center grant applications assigned to NIGMS. She also sat on the NIH committee that develops, implements, and evaluates review policies and procedures for all types of grant applications.
Amy Swain
Before leaving NIGMS in January 2016, Amy oversaw a portfolio of biomedical technology programs. With a background in crystallography, she specifically managed technology grants for structural biology and for informatics, and she was a key contact for NIH synchrotron activities.
Fred Taylor
Until his retirement in July 2018, Fred oversaw the NIGMS division that manages a variety of research, research training, faculty development, and research infrastructure improvement grants, including the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program.
Laurie Tompkins
Before her retirement in December 2012, Laurie was our expert on the genetics and genomics of behavior and circadian clocks in a wide variety of model organisms. She also managed grants on transcription mechanisms.
Nancy Vess
As former chief of the financial management branch, Nancy oversaw the NIGMS budget and led a team responsible for developing the Institute’s fiscal management plans, preparing Congressional budget justifications, and coordinating the support of all NIGMS research and training grants.
Jennifer Villani
Before transferring to the NIH Office of Disease Prevention in April 2014, Jen contributed her expertise in program planning, management, and evaluation to scientific programs in bioinformatics and computational biology.
Sarah Wallen
Sarah, the 2015 summer intern in the NIGMS Office of Program Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation, is a math major at James Madison University who collected data for a variety of projects.
Fei Wang
Fei managed the Biophysics Branch in the Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences and oversaw grants in the biophysics of membranes and membrane proteins before moving to the National Institute on Aging in March 2023.
Janna Wehrle
Before her retirement in December 2018, Janna managed both experimental and computational projects studying how proteins fold, survive stress, form complex cellular machines, and are removed from cells—and what happens when these processes go awry.
Peggy Weidman
Before her retirement in April 2017, Peggy organized the scientific review of grant applications for programs that seek to increase the diversity of the biomedical research workforce.
Kristine Willis
Before transferring to the National Cancer Institute in August 2019, Kris oversaw grants in the areas of mutagenesis and the repair of DNA damage. She was also involved in several NIGMS initiatives to promote rigor and reproducibility in biomedical research.
Mary Ann Wu
Mary Ann administered structural biology grants in support of research resources and biomedical technology development until leaving NIGMS for the NIH Office of the Director in November 2023.
Marion Zatz
Before her retirement in January 2015, Marion managed grants involving research on cell cycle control, programmed cell death, and stem cells as well as predoctoral training grants in cellular, molecular, and biochemical sciences and molecular medicine. She also administered NIGMS’ Diversity and Career Re-entry Supplements program.
Hinda Zlotnik
Before her retirement in December 2018, Hinda led efforts to increase the participation of underrepresented students and faculty in biomedical research.