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Life Inspiring

At the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

We seek answers to fundamental questions about how organisms work and the many implications for life. Through a rich culture of collaboration, we drive new discoveries in human health and empower students with the critical and analytical skills needed for successful careers.

News from the School of MCB

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Meet Kristie Stramaski, new career advisor in the School of MCB
Please welcome Kristie Stramaski, Senior Coordinator of Career Advising, to the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology. This is a new position for the school and we are thrilled to have her join us!She spoke with us about the...
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MCB senior receives Boren Scholarship to study in Tanzania this summer
The School of Molecular and Cellular Biology is pleased to announce that MCB senior Sameer Abbasi has been awarded a federal Boren Scholarship to study Swahili in Tanzania this summer. ...
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College of LAS honors MCB faculty
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has honored multiple professors, researchers, and research staff members with named scholar positions and research awards in recognition of their contributions to education and learning at the University of Illinois.Congratulations to the School of...
Graduates attend School of MCB convocation in Krannert Center
Congratulations, graduates!
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology held its spring convocation on May 17, 2026, at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.Over 400 students walked across the stage of Foellinger Great Hall to receive their diplomas. The school awarded bachelor...
Wearing a blue blazer, Nash Kalsotra stands in a biochemistry lab between two benches while two graduate students behind him
Auinash Kalsotra named Phillip A. Sharp Professor of Biochemistry
The School of Molecular and Cellular Biology is honored to announce that Auinash Kalsotra has been named the Phillip A. Sharp Professor in Biochemistry.Dr. Kalsotra is one of the world’s pre-eminent RNA researchers and has also been...
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Congratulations to School of MCB undergraduate award recipients!
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology honored exceptional undergraduate students at its annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 7, at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.School and department leaders recognized students for academic achievements, research achievements, and more. They also...
Pallob Barai and Reean Abdullah at the lab bench
MCB researchers uncover a novel mechanism of STAT3 activation in cancer
One day, on assignment researching non-canonical functions of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases — housekeeping enzymes essential for protein synthesis — Pallob Barai noticed an intriguing pattern.“A particular AARS enzyme, TARS1, was found to be correlated with poor patient survival in different cancers,...
Song and Prasanth
MCB scientists’ discovery begets new insights into cancer tumor growth
New research from the K.V. Prasanth lab, in collaboration with scientists across the University of Illinois and other institutions, has revealed that gene positioning near nuclear speckles — key nuclear domains that promote gene expression — along with the mechanistic functions of the non-coding...

School of MCB Convocation

9 a.m. Sunday, May 17, 2026
MCB students put arms around each other at a welcome event

Innovative education

How will you change the world?

Our mission is to empower students. In MCB you will receive a rigorous education and you can tailor a curriculum according to your passions. Our alumni have become physicians, researchers at top-tier institutions, and business leaders. They've launched biotechnology start-ups and founded free healthcare clinics. They are changing the world. You can, too.

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A community of collaborators

Impactful research

We are at the forefront of life-changing biomedical research. Combatting infectious diseases like influenza. Uncovering insights into neurological and metabolic disorders. Developing new treatments for diseases such as breast cancer. New and exciting research programs are being developed in neuroscience, immunology, microbial sciences, developmental biology, mechanobiology, and much more. Faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates are all part of the MCB research community.

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