Dr John W. Pham
John Pham is a molecular biologist and the editor-in-chief of the journal Cell, known for his significant contributions to diversity and inclusion in science. Born in the U.S. shortly after his family arrived as refugees from Vietnam, Pham grew up in Florida. He earned a B.S. in music and biochemistry from Bates College and completed his Ph.D. at Northwestern University, focusing on RNA splicing and RNA interference.Since joining Cell Press in 2008 and eventually becoming editor-in-chief of Cell in 2018, Pham has been a driving force for inclusivity within the scientific community. Under his leadership, the representation of women on the Cell advisory board increased from 20% to 50%, and the proportion of women reviewers rose from 18% to 33%. Pham, a member of the LGBT community, advocates for diversity as a catalyst for better science, believing that inclusive environments foster innovative ideas and harness a broader range of talents. His commitment to diversity was highlighted when he spoke at an event organized by Elsevier Pride and 500 Queer Scientists during WorldPride NYC 2019.