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. 

Stephen Sligar

Prof. Stephen Sligar receives the Christian B. Anfinsen Award

The Christian B. Anfinsen Award, sponsored by The Protein Society, recognizes technological achievement or significant methodological advances in the field of protein science. The recipient of this award in 2020 is Professor Stephen Sligar, professor of Biochemistry and former director of the...
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CDB Professor receives campus teaching award

David Rivier, Associate Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, has been selected as the recipient of the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.
Brenda Wilson

Brenda Wilson named Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology

Brenda Wilson, Professor of Microbiology and Associate Director for MCB Undergraduate Education has been elected to the 2020 Class of Academy Fellows.
Headshot of Erik Nelson

Erik Nelson named Gunsalus Scholar

Erik Nelson, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, has been named the 2020-2021 Gunsalus Scholar by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for his work on cholesterol metabolism and cancer.
A canopy of winter snow blankets the campus at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. Altgeld Hall. Alma Mater

School of MCB celebrates at winter holiday party

On December 12, 2019, the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology held its annual Winter Holiday Party. Faculty, staff, and graduate students came together in the Alice Campbell Alumni Center to celebrate and recognize our successes throughout the year. Coordinated by Shawna Smith and Holly...
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Biochemistry Professor David Kranz named an NAI Fellow

David Kranz, the Phillip A. Sharp Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Kranz will be formally inducted at the Ninth Annual Meeting of the National Academy of Inventors in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 10,...
Headshot of Catherine Christian-Hinman.

Catherine Christian Awarded a 2020-2021 Center for Advanced Study Fellowship

Catherine Christian (Molecular and Integrative Physiology) has been awarded a 2020-2021 Center for Advanced Study Fellowship. The Center for Advanced Study sheds light on interdisciplinary thought that starts conversation, inspires action, and transforms the world. Read more about the Center for...
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Prof. Emad Tajkhorshid has been awarded the 2020 Thomas E. Thompson award

Emad Tajkhorshid(Biochemistry) has been awarded the 2020 Thomas E. Thompson award for his seminal contributions to advancing our understanding of membrane structure and function.
Dan Llano sits at a desk with a computer in the background.

Daniel Llano Receives Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Daniel Llano (Molecular and Integrative Physiology) has been named a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers. The young scientists and...
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Multi-university Research Initiative (MURI) awarded to Rhanor Gillette's team

Rhanor Gillette (Molecular and Integrative Physiology) is part of a team that has received a Multi-university Research Initiative (MURI) award. According to the Coordinated Science Laboratory at Illinois, this $7.5 million award is for building a Cyberoctopus, a software equivalent to the marine...