The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to celebrate outstanding research conducted by our undergraduate students with an annual symposium. For Fall 2022, the symposium is planned for Friday, November 4 from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM CT in the MCB Learning Center (Room 101 Burrill Hall). We have 37 undergraduates who will be presenting work from biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, microbiology, molecular and integrative physiology, chemistry, pathobiology, bioengineering, psychology, mechanical science and engineering, and kinesiology and community health.

University of Illinois faculty are behind some of the most important discoveries in the last 150 years. Students are part of this inspiring tradition of innovation. MCB faculty conduct leading research programs in biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, microbiology, and molecular and integrative physiology. Being an undergraduate researcher provides valuable experience for students, who develop skills in conducting research, communication, leadership, project management, and more. The experience also prepares students for graduate school or a possible career in research.

Congratulations to winners of the 2022 symposium!

School of MCB Director's Award for Exceptional Research Presentation

Emma Ibanez, in Justin Rhodes' lab, with "Engineering the first transgenic clownfish for studying socially influenced sex change." This research was supported by a School of MCB Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

School of MCB Director's Award for Exceptional Research Presentation

Hunter Carrell, in Paul Hergenrother's lab, with "Derivatization of ErSO-TFPy, a Selective Killer of Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer." This research was supported by the School of MCB Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, supported in part by Frank Witney.

School of MCB Outstanding Research Presentation Award

Neha Ramachandran, in Milan Bachi’s lab, with "Analysis of the Role of Transcription Factor Runx1 in Uterine Angiogenesis." This research was supported by a Jenner Family Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

School of MCB Research Presentation Honorable Mention

Madeleine Meehan, in Marni Boppart's lab, with "Endurance trained extracellular vesicles as treatment to improve muscle recovery following disuse atrophy." This research was supported by a School of MCB Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

School of MCB Research Presentation Honorable Mention

Anastasiya Sushkova, in Anna Kukekova's lab, with "Bioinformatic Discovery of Haplotypes in Genomic Regions Differentiating Populations of Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes)."