Media Contact:
Michael Dougherty
240.281.9507
mdougherty@ashg.org
PRESS RELEASE
BETHESDA, MD – February 7, 2013 – The Board of Directors of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) announced today that Joseph McInerney will join the organization as Executive Vice President. In this capacity, Mr. McInerney will be responsible for representing the Society on a day-to-day basis, for guiding and implementing the broad agenda of the Society in consultation with the President and the Board, and for interacting on an ongoing basis with Society committees.
Mr. McInerney previously served as Executive Director for 10 years of the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG), from which he retired in 2010. Prior to that, he was Director of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, a nonprofit curriculum development group, from 1985 to 1999. He has been an active ASHG member since 1980, serving on and chairing the Information and Education Committee (1988-1999; 2009-2011).
Dr. Jeff Murray, president of ASHG and professor of pediatrics at the University of Iowa said, “We are extremely fortunate to have hired Joe McInerney for this important position. He is a proven leader who will help guide the Society during this period of great change in genomic research, medicine, and education.”
Mr. McInerney is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has been honored with ASHG’s Excellence in Education award, NCHPEG’s Michael J. Scotti, Jr. Award, and the Director’s Award from the National Institutes of Health. In 1991, he served as President of the National Association of Biology Teachers, and he has been a public proponent for the teaching of genetics and evolution for decades. He has been very active on committees and review panels for both the National Institutes of Health and the National Academy of Sciences. He has a master’s degree in genetic counseling.
Mr. McInerney will begin his tenure March 1, and he replaces Joann Boughman, who left ASHG to become Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University System of Maryland.
For more information about ASHG, visit: http://new.ashg.org/
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HUMAN GENETICS
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide. The nearly 8,000 members of ASHG include researchers, academicians, clinicians, laboratory practice professionals, genetic counselors, nurses and others involved in or with a special interest in human genetics. The Society’s mission is to serve research scientists, health professionals and the public by providing forums to: (1) share research results through the Society’s Annual Meeting and in The American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG); (2) advance genetic research by advocating for research support; (3) educate current and future genetics professionals, health care providers, advocates, policymakers, educators, students and the public about all aspects of human genetics; and (4) promote genetic services and support responsible social and scientific policies. For more information about ASHG, visit: http://new.ashg.org.