Leadership Profile

A Conversation with ASPET President-Elect Namandjé Bumpus, PhD

Dr. Namandjé Bumpus is the President-Elect for 2022-2023. She begins her term as ASPET President July 2023. She was named as the FDA’s Chief Scientist on June 30, 2022. As the Chief Scientist, Dr. Bumpus supports the research foundation, science, and innovation that underpins the FDA’s regulatory mission. Prior to her appointment as the FDA Chief Scientist, she served as an associate professor of medicine and the associate dean for institutional and student equity at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md. A recipient of ASPET’s John J. Abel Award in Pharmacology, Dr. Bumpus has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has previously served on the editorial board of ASPET’s journal Drug Metabolism and Disposition. She has been a member of ASPET since 2008.

How did you get started in pharmacology?

As an undergrad I participated in the University of Michigan Department of Pharmacology Charles R. Ross Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program.

I learned that Dr. Charles Richard Ross was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School. Participating in a fellowship program established to honor his legacy inspired me. During that summer, I worked in the lab of Dr. Rick Neubig. I had a very fulfilling and rewarding experience through having the opportunity to perform exciting research and work with an encouraging and supportive mentor in Rick Neubig. It was my first experience with pharmacology, and I knew from then that I wanted to pursue graduate training in pharmacology.

How did you first get involved with ASPET?

In graduate school I joined the laboratory of Dr. Paul Hollenberg at the University of Michigan. Paul had been president of ASPET and encouraged his students to attend the annual meeting and to become active in ASPET. I followed his example and continue to do so in all aspects of my career.

What do you want the ASPET membership to know about you and your ideas on how to move the organization forward during your term?

I would like people to know that I am accessible and always happy to talk with our members about how we can continue to strengthen ASPET. I would like to continue to widen our range of volunteer opportunities within ASPET and ensure that all of our members feel included and empowered.

What has been your proudest accomplishment in your career so far?

My proudest accomplishment is having contributed to the development of students/fellows/emerging scientists through various roles over my career including laboratory principal investigator, associate dean for graduate and institutional equity, associate dean for basic research, and chair of the Department of Pharmacology all at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In my current role as FDA Chief Scientist, I similarly work to cultivate an environment that enables our scientists to thrive, and it brings me great joy.

What advice would you give young scientists who are just starting out in their careers?

Identify and engage a team of mentors who will be honest with you, but always productive in helping you to determine what next steps are needed for you to achieve your goals including concrete guidance about skills to develop and areas to strengthen. Stay true to what you would like to contribute to the world through your life’s work, and lead with that. During the tough times, remember all that you have accomplished and where you are trying to go with your career.

What do you want your legacy to be as the first Black President for ASPET?

I would like for my legacy to be that I used my voice and platform to create opportunities for others, and widened the circle of people who view themselves as future leaders of ASPET.