- Jeremy Berg (2016 - Present)
- Marcia McNutt (2013 - 2016)
- Bruce Alberts (2008 - 2013)
- Donald Kennedy (2000 - 2008)
- Floyd E. Bloom (1995 - 2000)
- Daniel E. Koshland Jr. (1985 - 1995)
- Philip Hauge Abelson (1962 - 1984)
- Graham DuShane (1956 - 1962)
- Duane Roller (1954)
- Hiram Bentley Glass (acting; 1953)
- Howard A. Meyerhoff (1949 - 1953)
- George A. Baitsell (1948 - 1949)
- Mildred Atwood (acting; 1947 - 1948)
- Willard L. Valentine (1946 - 1947)
- Josephine Owen Cattell (1944 - 1945)
- Jacques Cattell (1944 - 1945)
- James McKeen Cattell (1895 - 1944)
- N. D. C. Hodges (1885 - 1894)
- Samuel H. Scudder (1883 - 1884)
- John Michels (1880 - 1882)