Dr. Stefano Bertuzzi is the CEO of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). The mission of ASM is to promote and advance the microbial sciences. ASM is the oldest and largest single life science membership organization in the world, counting over 40,000 members. It is a global organization with about 50% of its members located outside the United States, in 122 countries. Members represent all aspects of the microbial sciences. Previously, Executive Director of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) a society of ~9,000 members and to promote the field of cellular biology and basic science. Before joining the non-profit sector, Dr. Bertuzzi was a senior scientific executive in the U.S. Government where he was Director of the Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications (OSPPC) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). In this capacity, he advised the NIMH Director in planning and implementing a comprehensive agenda for national mental health research. He represented the Institute’s principal resource for mental health policy analysis, strategic planning, program evaluation, and communications. He directed and implemented the Institute's communication efforts. Previously, Dr. Bertuzzi was responsible for return on investment analyses in the Office of Science Policy, Office of the NIH Director. Dr. Bertuzzi has contributed to reforms of biomedical research systems in foreign countries. He was the NIH lead in the bilateral working group with the European Commission (Directorate of Research-Health Theme) to achieve a funding reciprocity policy between the EC and the NIH. He has authored numerous research publications in molecular biology, neurobiology ,and science policy, published in top scientific journals. His research activities led to the discovery of a novel family of homeobox genes involved in the regulation of neuronal axon guidance in the visual system.