Sandra Murray has two passions in life: cell biology and diversity in scientific research.

“If you have more people coming from different backgrounds, they ask different questions and look for different solutions,” said the professor in the School of Medicine’s Department of Cell Biology. “You use a strength in science that way by having different thought processes.”

The American Society for Cell Biology recently awarded Murray a Lifetime Fellow Recognition for distinguished contributions to the advancement of cell biology. She is the first African American woman to be named a society fellow. 

“There will be more to follow,” she said with a smile. “The door has been opened.”

Sandra A. Murray, a professor in Pitt’s Department of Cell Biology in the School of Medicine, was elected president of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) for 2024. She will serve as president-elect on the executive committee in 2023. Murray is the first person of color to lead the organization, which was started in 1961.