Former Department of Biochemistry Chair Named 2024 ASBMB Fellow

Bettie Sue Masters, PhD, Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry at Duke University Medical Center, was named one of 17 fellows for 2024 by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The distinction of ASBMB Fellow is bestowed on members with a history of exceptional and sustained service to the society, as well as a distinguished record of professional accomplishment to advance molecular life sciences.

This is the fourth year the ASBMB has named fellows. The society will recognize the 2024 class at its annual meeting, Discover BMB, in San Antonio in March.

Dr. Masters served as Chair and Professor of Biochemistry at MCW from 1982-1990, the first female department Chair in MCW's history, and has a conference room in the Hub named in her honor.

Masters is best known for her research on the structure–function relationships of the nitric oxide synthase and characterization of cytochrome P450 reductase. She served as president of the ASBMB from 2002 to 2004 and is a past member of the ASBMB Membership Committee. In addition, she has served on the Journal of Biological Chemistry editorial board, as well as the ASBMB Publications Committee and chaired the Public Affairs Advisory Committee following her tenure as president of the society. She was the 1992 recipient of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Excellence in Science Award, is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.