Awards and Honors

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology and its departments of Biochemistry, Cell & Developmental Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular & Integrative Physiology recognize outstanding undergraduate, graduate, faculty, staff, and alumni with several awards and fellowships. In addition to school and departmental honors, MCB is always thrilled to highlight awards from other campus units, and national/international organizations. Some of the most recent news stories spotlighting our community are listed below. 

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Congratulations to recipients of the 2024 School of MCB awards!

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology celebrated the achievements of its community during this year’s annual holiday celebration. On Dec. 4, 2024, Milan Bagchi, Deborah Paul Endowed Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Director of the School of MCB, honored several faculty,...
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Biochemistry's Nicholas Wu named Vallee Scholar

Nicholas Wu, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, is among the newest cohort of Vallee Scholars named Friday by the Vallee Foundation....
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Celebrating new School of MCB faculty scholars, distinguished promotions

Five faculty members from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology have been recognized for their excellence in research and teaching through named scholar positions and distinguished promotions. Congratulations to Sayee Anakk, Auinash Kalsotra, Paola Mera, Lori Raetzman, and Joe Sanfilippo...
Erik Nelson poses for photo in front of a bookshelf. Lori Raetzman stands outside near green plants.

Endocrine Society honors Raeztman and Nelson with 2025 Laureate Awards

The Endocrine Society today announced it has chosen 14 leading endocrinologists as winners of its prestigious...
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New training grant funded for researchers in reproductive sciences and engineering

The National Institutes of Health has approved the T32 grant, “Interdisciplinary Research Training at the Interface of Reproductive Sciences and Bioengineering." The training program is aimed at predoctoral students who want to work at the interface of reproductive sciences and engineering, two...
A smiling man next to a graphic of a gold medallion.

Nelson named 2024 Researcher to Know

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is proud to announce that Erik Nelson has been named a 2024 Researcher to Know by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition.  Researchers to Know are selected by university...
Six students sit on a white staircase in front of a blue sky.

2024 Toogun Award winner recognized for exceptional research

Established in 2015, the Oyetunji A. Toogun Memorial Award for Excellence in Research is an annual award named in honor of Tunji Toogun, a PhD student in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology who passed away in 2007. The annual award recognizes CDB graduate students for their...
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Congratulating the 2024 student award winners

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology honored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students at its annual award ceremony, held on May 2. These student awards, fellowships, and scholarships recognize academic achievement, research accomplishments, and excellence in teaching and are made...
Steve Sligar in green polo

Biochemist Steve Sligar elected to National Academy of Sciences

Three University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professors, including biochemist Steve Sligar, have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of a scientist's highest...
Emad Tajkhorshid poses by journal covers

Emad Tajkhorshid receives Beckman's Vision & Spirit Award

The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology honored three faculty and staff members who show visionary spirit and dedication on the 124th anniversary of founder Arnold Beckman’s birth. Congratulations to...