Professor Michelle West has been Honorary Meetings Secretary since January 2022, following involvement with the Society’s committees and panels since 2012, helping to shape our support and offerings to our community. We thank Michelle for her dedication to the Society over the last 12 years.

Michelle first joined the Society, as part of Research Area I – Genes, and in 2013 took over as Chair. From 2017, as Chair of the new Basic Biosciences Theme Panel, Michelle was instrumental in the success of the new committee and governance structure, ensuring good communication and collaboration between Research Areas. In 2022, as Honorary Meetings Secretary, Michelle chaired Conferences Committee and helped to drive our events strategy and success.

Over the last 12 years, Michelle has played a vital role in increasing the diversity and inclusivity of our meetings, introducing anonymised abstract review to remove unconscious bias, aiding in increasing the number of female speakers from 22% to 47% since 2012, and developing positions on Research Areas and other events-related committees for Early Career Researchers and industry representatives.

Of her time at the Society, Michelle said:

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work in various roles within the Society for the last 12 years. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated society staff and academics from across the UK and beyond, sharing a common enthusiasm for the key role the Biochemical Society plays in providing opportunities to share and disseminate key scientific findings, build collaborative networks and to support the molecular biosciences community through multiple training opportunities and support and recognition schemes. I am grateful to have played a role in developing and supporting the Society’s broad range of activities. I look forward to seeing the work develop in the future and I am sure the Society will continue to go from strength to strength."

Professor Julia Goodfellow, president of the Society said: 

"Michelle has played a vital role in shaping our activities in support of our community for many years. We are hugely grateful to her, and she will be missed by all at the Society. I thank Michelle for her hard work and commitment."