Michelle McMurry-Heath

Michelle McMurry-Heath assumed the leadership of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) as President and CEO on June 1, 2020. A medical doctor and molecular immunologist by training, Dr. McMurry-Heath came to BIO from Johnson & Johnson where she served as Global Head of Evidence Generation for Medical Device Companies and then Vice President of Global External Innovation and Global Leader for Regulatory Sciences.

Prior to her time at J&J, Dr. McMurry-Heath was also a key science policy leader in government, having conducted a comprehensive analysis of the National Science Foundation’s policies, programs and personnel. President Obama then named her associate science director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Dr. McMurry-Heath was the founding director of the Aspen Institute’s Health, Biomedical Science, and Society Policy Program and received her early training in science policy from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Dr. McMurry-Heath also serves on the Board of Directors at Bioventus. She received her MD/PhD from Duke’s Medical Scientist Training Program, becoming the first African American to graduate from the prestigious program. She spent 12 years working at the research bench before taking policy and leadership roles in government and industry. Dr. McMurry-Heath brings to our board deep expertise in research and advocacy, gained from her experience in medical and research settings, public policy and government advisor roles, and innovation-focused leadership positions within pharma.