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. 

Jie Chen receives campus award for graduate student mentoring

Headshot of Jie Chen
Congratulations to Jie Chen, professor of cell and developmental biology, who was honored with the Campus Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring. The award recognizes faculty members for their sustained excellence in graduate student mentoring, innovative approaches to graduate advising...

MCB students, faculty, and staff recognized for their extraordinary efforts during COVID-19

LAS Impact Award: Recognizing inspiring efforts during COVID-19
We’re proud to share the news that many School of Molecular & Cellular Biology students, faculty, and staff members have received College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Impact Awards. The awards, announced this week, recognize inspiring efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. So many in our...

Martha Gillette wins Beckman Institute's 2021 Vision and Spirit Award

Bust of Arnold Beckman.
Congratulations to Martha Gillette, who has been named the Beckman Institute’s 2021 winner of the Vision and Spirit Award. Gillette is director of the Neuroscience Program, Alumni Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, and a professor of molecular and integrative physiology.

Cari Vanderpool elected Fellow of American Academy of Microbiology

Headshot of Cari Vanderpool
Congratulations to Cari Vanderpool, professor of microbiology, who was recently elected a fellow in the American Academy of Microbiology.

New study: MCB faculty among world's most influential researchers

A tight shot of a microscope with a soft orange gradient layer.
Several faculty from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology were among the most-cited researchers in the world in a new, widely hailed analysis designed to provide a clearer view of scientific and scholarly impact.

Microbiology professor Rachel Whitaker named a University Scholar

Rachel Whitaker sits at desk, smiling for camera.
Congratulations to Rachel Whitaker for being chosen as a University Scholar. Whitaker, a professor of microbiology...

The lessons of a Nobel Laureate

Phillip Sharp
Phillip Sharp recalls a key moment on campus as he renews support for the U of I.

Erik Nelson receives $4.5M grant to study prevention and treatment of metastatic breast cancer

Headshot of Erik Nelson
Erik Nelson, professor of molecular and integrative physiology, has won a $4.5 million Era of Hope Scholar Award from the United States Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.This prestigious award supports individuals early in their careers who have demonstrated significant potential...

Four MCB alumni honored with 2020 LAS alumni awards

Water fountain next to Alice Campbell Alumni Center.
The winners are being honored during LAS Impact 2020, a weeklong celebration of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences starting on Oct. 26.

Brian Freeman named a fellow of Cell Stress Society International

Brian Freeman poses for headshot, smiling, outside.
Congratulations to Brian Freeman, professor of cell and developmental biology at the University of Illinois who has been selected as a fellow of the Cell Stress Society International.