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.

MCB student-athletes earn Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors

2022-07-18

Tight shot of the head of Alma Mater statue on an overcast day

The 2021-22 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar list was announced Thursday (July 14) by the conference office. Fighting Illini student-athletes, including three molecular and cellular biology students, earned 93 honors.

Biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu awarded Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award

2022-07-18

Biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu has been awarded the Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award by the American Society for Virology. As a recipient of the award, Wu delivered a research talk at the 2022 ASV Annual Meeting. This year's conference is being held at UW-Madison from July 16-...

MCB students among Beckman Institute's 2022 fellowship, award recipients

2022-05-18

Wide exterior shot of the Beckman Institute on a summer day.

Eleven students have been selected to receive 2022 Beckman Institute fellowships and awards. The awards, which fund interdisciplinary research that takes place over the summer, will be celebrated at a virtual gathering on July 29, 2022.

Emeritus professor Govindjee delivers 2022 Anton Lang Lecture

2022-05-23

Govindjee stands next to a plaque outside titled "Understanding Photosynthesis."

Congratulations to Govindjee, University of Illinois professor emeritus of biophysics, biochemistry, and plant biology, who delivered the 2022 Anton Lang Lecture at Michigan State University this spring.

Congratulations to student award winners!

2022-05-10

Text on photo: Congrats to MCB student award winners. Various pictures from May 2022 awards ceremony interspersed with squares and blocks filled solid with orange and blue.

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to announce the winners of its 2021-2022 student awards, fellowships, and scholarships.These awards recognize academic achievement, research accomplishments, and excellence in teaching. We’re proud to have so many outstanding students....

Dozens of MCB teachers ranked as excellent by students in Fall 2021

2022-03-29

Exterior shot of the School of MCB's Chemical & Life Sciences Building during summertime.

Nearly 40 MCB teachers and teaching assistants were recognized by their students in the Fall 2021 semester for excellence in instruction.

MCB student-athletes named to the Big Ten Conference's Academic All-Big Ten team.

2022-03-24

Members of U of I's Swim & Dive team swim in lanes.

Several student-athletes majoring in molecular and cellular biology have been named to the Big Ten Conference’s Academic All-Big Ten team.

MCB course instructor named "Most Valuable Professor" of Women's Gymnastics athletes

2022-03-25

Jennifer Joesting holds up award certificate that says "Most Valuable Professor" while sitting in stands at UIUC women's gymnastics meet.

MCB course instructor and coordinator Jennifer Joesting was celebrated by the Women's Gymnastics team for her leadership during the Fall 2021 semester.

Brian Freeman elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

2022-01-26

Fourteen University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty members, including Brian Freeman, professor of cell and developmental biology, have been elected 2021 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu awarded Michelson Prize to advance vaccine, immunology research

2022-01-25

The Michelson Medical Research Foundation and Human Vaccines Project on Tuesday recognized three outstanding early career researchers, including University of Illinois biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu, with the Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants. Each winner will be awarded $150,000 to...

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