Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry Chris Rohlman was recently named a 2024 Fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). He and 16 fellow honorees will be recognized at ASBMB’s annual conference this spring.

“I am honored that my colleagues in the society included me amongst some very remarkable scientists,” Rohlman remarked. “It is very inspiring to be among this diverse group from a range of colleges and universities, doing different kinds of teaching and research.”

Rohlman joined Albion College in 2001 to build a biochemistry and molecular biology learning community and has worked with student researchers to explore RNA structure and function, with a focus on the role of transcription, aptamers and ribozymes in health and disease. He co-organized ACBMB’s first undergraduate poster competition (which he continues to organize and judge), and is a past member of the ASBMB Education and Professional Development Committee.

“Although I only had one class from Chris, it was enough to inspire my imagination, and the skills and independence I gained in his class gave me what I needed to advance to professor of biochemistry some 20 years later,” said Albion professor Craig Streu ’04, who focused on organic chemistry as an undergraduate. “I am not even the only biochemistry faculty member that Chris trained in my graduating class. There are dozens and dozens of faculty members and industry leaders for whom Chris was the chief mentor.”

The honor of ASBMB Fellow recognizes outstanding commitment to the ASBMB through participation in the society as well as accomplishments in research, education, mentorship, diversity and inclusion, advocacy, and service to the scientific community. The 17 new Fellows include several National Academy of Science members, a director of molecular medicine at the University of Maryland, the biology department chair at Stanford University, and a gastroenterology disease researcher at Washington University, along with teachers and researchers at medical schools, public universities, and liberal arts colleges.

“ASBMB has been a community that valued and supported my role as a teacher and scholar,” said Rohlman, whose passion for undergraduate education has helped lead ASBMB’ efforts on behalf of young researchers.

“I feel I get far more than I give through my work with ASBMB, with friendships that have formed and grown over the past 30 years,” he said. “It is great to share that community with Albion students, to help them pursue their passions and life goals, including careers in medicine, industry, academia, and biomedical research.”