Jim Keeley Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Experienced strategic communications and media relations professional at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), one of the world’s premier biomedical research institutions. Develops communications strategies for HHMI’s world-class research programs and science education initiatives. Leads external communications, which encompasses media relations, reputation management, and social media strategy.

Chevy Chase, Md

• Plays the lead role in ensuring that the work of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute – particularly its comprehensive programs in scientific research and science education – is effectively communicated to key audiences. • Oversees the communication and dissemination of information about the biomedical research of HHMI’s 400 scientists -- including the HHMI investigator and early career scientists programs, as well as researchers based at HHMI’s Janelia Farm Research Campus -- and the… Show more • Plays the lead role in ensuring that the work of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute – particularly its comprehensive programs in scientific research and science education – is effectively communicated to key audiences. • Oversees the communication and dissemination of information about the biomedical research of HHMI’s 400 scientists -- including the HHMI investigator and early career scientists programs, as well as researchers based at HHMI’s Janelia Farm Research Campus -- and the Institute’s programs in science education.• Responsible for developing and executing HHMI's social media strategy on Twitter, Facebook and other platforms.• Manages Strategic Communications and News team.• Serves as principal media contact for HHMI. • Planned communications strategy and developed messaging for the launch of eLife, a new open access journal that HHMI is launching in partnership with the Wellcome Trust and the Max Planck Society. Continues to serve as lead HHMI communications contact for eLife. Show less

• Directed HHMI’s news and media relations operation. Responsibilities included budget oversight, managing internal staff and external consultants/freelancers. Served as spokesperson for issues related to HHMI research. Planned and developed content for HHMI publications and website.• Maintained close contact with and actively pitched story ideas to leading journalists who cover science and medicine. • Introduced and maintained HHMI’s Twitter account, @HHMINEWS.• Served as a member… Show more • Directed HHMI’s news and media relations operation. Responsibilities included budget oversight, managing internal staff and external consultants/freelancers. Served as spokesperson for issues related to HHMI research. Planned and developed content for HHMI publications and website.• Maintained close contact with and actively pitched story ideas to leading journalists who cover science and medicine. • Introduced and maintained HHMI’s Twitter account, @HHMINEWS.• Served as a member of the department’s management team; assisted in planning, managing and executing HHMI’s communications strategy; provided advice for crisis management related to HHMI research activities. Assisted in managing activities of outside public relations counsel. • Served as primary contact in Communications for the more than 300 HHMI researchers who are located at 60 universities, medical schools and hospitals throughout the United States. Coordinated major news announcements with news offices at the host institutions of HHMI researchers.• Developed communications strategy and managed research and news communications for HHMI’s Janelia Farm Research Campus. Launch communications consisted of land purchase announcements, architect selection, site design, groundbreaking, scientific program report, web-site development, identity/branding, and recruitment of scientists.• Planned and managed HHMI’s public policy programs, which encouraged discussion of policy issues, such as stem-cell research, access to genetic testing, and intellectual property rights. Developed the overall themes for these programs, which were presented on Capitol Hill. Show less

• Served as the main point person in the Communications office for all HHMI researchers and journalists; focused on raising HHMI’s national profile; developed, promoted and managed the HHMINEWS listserv, which had more than 9,000 subscribers.

• Managed all aspects of content planning and production of the HHMI Bulletin, the Institute’s quarterly magazine. • Transformed the Bulletin from a 12-16 page “internally focused” publication into an engaging, 40-plus-page, four-color magazine, with a circulation of 20,000.

• Handled all media relations relating to the HHMI research program; enhanced HHMI’s reputation as a trusted news source for journalists; maintained close contact with HHMI researchers; wrote science news releases and feature stories for HHMI publications and web site.

• Assisted in managing the day-to-day operations of the research communications staff.• Developed and managed production of news initiatives that raised the national visibility of the basic research enterprise at the School of Medicine. • Selected and edited the School of Medicine’s contributions to the monthly feature service, which was distributed to journalists nationwide.

• Developed story ideas and maintained contact with faculty in the areas of genetics, neurobiology, immunology, biochemistry and pharmacology.• Wrote feature articles about research that were distributed through the feature service. Responded to all media inquiries that were generated by the feature articles.

• Served as chief science reporter covering research developments in the departments of biochemistry, cell biology, molecular physiology and biophysics, and pharmacology.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), English Literature

Activities and Societies: Staff Writer, Vanderbilt Hustler, student newspaper

Education record