Michelle McMurry-Heath is a medical doctor, immunologist, and from June 2020 until October 2022 served as chief executive officer for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

[1] She is the first Black graduate of the Duke University combined MD / Ph.D. Medical Scientist Training Program, and completed her Ph.D. in immunology.

[3] After training from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, she shifted to science policy, which included work from 2001 to 2004 as a legislative aide for Senator Joe Lieberman and drafting a bioterrorism preparedness bill in 2002.

[13] At BIO, she led the Coronavirus Collaboration Initiative, a group focused on developing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

[15][16][17] McMurry-Heath resigned from her role as CEO of BIO effective October 11, 2022, and she continues to serve as an advisor to the board.