The acting director of environmental health and safety is at the forefront of researching and promoting safe science.
Sherry Bohn, PhD, MSL, CBSP (ABSA), acting director of environmental health and safety (EHS) in the Administration and Finance department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), has been elected president of ABSA (Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity) International.
A microbiologist by training, Bohn holds degrees in molecular biology, communication, and law, giving her a unique perspective on the research compliance landscape.
She has been a member of the University System of Maryland since October 2014. She joined UMB’s EHS team in 2021 and was named acting director of EHS in June 2023.
ABSA is an international organization with more than 800 members worldwide. The goal of the all-volunteer organization is to share best practices when it comes to performing safe science. Its goals are to provide a professional association that represents the interests and needs of practitioners of biological safety, and to provide a forum for the continued and timely exchange of biosafety information. ABSA is on the front lines of making it safe for researchers to do research.
Bohn is not the first UMB staff member to hold the title of ABSA president. Melissa Morland, currently the executive director of facilities operations and maintenance administration, held the post in 2016 and 2021. She notes that Bohn has all the traits needed to succeed in the position.
“Sherry is a natural-born leader. She’s an outstanding communicator, she’s organized, she sets goals and sees that they get accomplished. And, of course, she understands the science inside and out,” Morland said. “The president sets the tone for the organization, creates task forces, and then makes sure it all happens.”
Bohn will serve a three-year term.