EMSL Researcher Named ASBMB Fellow, AAAS Representative

Mary Lipton, a bioanalytical chemist at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), was recently honored with two distinctions for her contributions and demonstrated expertise in the field of biological sciences.

She was named a fellow with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). Additionally, she was selected to serve as the non-academic representative on the steering committee for the Biological Sciences Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

As an ASBMB Fellow, Lipton is recognized for her history of exceptional and sustained service to the society, as well as for her distinguished record of professional accomplishments to advance the molecular life sciences. She is one of 16 members inducted into the 2026 class. Additionally, she serves as a member of the ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee.

Through her new role with AAAS, Lipton serves as a liaison between the association and non-academic professionals in the biological sciences. She and her fellow representatives advocate for the integration of a variety of career perspectives, foster collaboration across stakeholder groups, and promote advancements and educational outreach in biological research and its applications beyond academia.

Lipton said she is grateful to be named a fellow with ASBMB and looks forward to her contributions as a biological sciences non-academic representative for AAAS. 

"Having served on one of the society's advisory committees for several years, I have gained a profound appreciation for how ASBMB advocates for the biological sciences and supports scientists at every career stage, from students to senior investigators," she said. "To be recognized in this way and join such an accomplished group of current and past fellows is a tremendous honor." 

Through her new role with AAAS, Lipton said she looks forward to helping guide the section's strategic goals, fostering scientific excellence, helping form and plan the organization's annual meeting, and nominating and reviewing AAAS Fellow applicants.  

Lipton is internationally recognized for her research in omics-based characterization of natural systems, of which some include microbes, microbial communities, plants, algae, fungi, and complete ecosystems. She has won several PNNL awards, including the Emerging Health Innovators Performance award, Woman of Achievement award, and Outstanding Performance award. She was elected an AAAS Fellow in 2022. In addition to her role as a bioanalytical chemist with EMSL, she serves as an adjunct professor at Washington State University. 

Lipton said her inspiration for her field dates back to her time as an undergraduate. While she knew she loved chemistry and biology, she had a biochemistry professor who exemplified a path forward for women in science and gave her substantial encouragement. 

"She not only encouraged scientific curiosity, but as a woman in the department, showed by example that there is a place for women in science," Lipton said. 

In graduate school, Lipton developed a greater curiosity for how proteins function and operate. Now as a scientist at PNNL, she relishes collaborating with premier scientists in the omics field and helping to foster the next generation of scientists. 

"When I came to PNNL as a protein biochemist learning mass spectrometry, the newly emerging field of proteomics was a perfect fit," she said. "I am driven by the challenge of integrating diverse, advanced technologies to answer biological questions that cannot be addressed any other way. With this, we can push the frontiers of knowledge to enable new discoveries and inspire new questions." 

Lipton will be honored for her selection as an ASBMB Fellow as part of the ASBMB Annual Meeting that takes place March 7–10 in Maryland.