Awards and Honors | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

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.

Microbiology alumna wins the 2018 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences

2017-12-11

La Jolla—Salk Institute scientist Joanne Chory, one of the world’s preeminent plant biologists who is now leading the charge to combat global warming with plant-based solutions, has been awarded a 2018 Breakthrough Prize for her pioneering work deciphering how plants optimize their growth,...

Dr. Brenda Wilson honored with the Dr. Larine Y. Cowen Leadership in Diversity Award

2018-07-24

The Celebration of Diversity program is an annual event that brings together campus and community leaders to affirm their collective support for an inclusive society and community. This event celebrates the achievements of faculty, academic professionals and civil service employees who make...

Biology Alumnus Receives Illini Comeback Award

2017-10-25

Robert Gaynes, a distinguished doctor known for his effective teaching and mentorship of medical students, has been chosen as a 2017 Illini Comeback Guest by the University of Illinois Alumni Association.

Alumnus Thomas Cycyota Receives American Association of Tissue Banks Award

2017-10-23

Cycyota received the Jeanne C. Mowe Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution in tissue banking or transplantation, whether in research, education, or laboratory improvement, or who has served the Association or the field of tissue banking.

Dr. Susan Martinis, Head of biochemistry, named interim vice chancellor for research

2017-09-29

Dr. Susan Martinis, head of biochemistry, started her new role as interim vice chancellor for research on Oct. 16, 2017. “Professor Martinis has earned a reputation here at Illinois as a collaborative scholar and consultative leader who gets work done. These qualities make her an ideal fit for...

Dr. Thomas Kehl-Fie Named 2017 Vallee Scholar

2017-09-13

The Vallee Foundation supports original, innovative, and pioneering work by early career scientists. Kehl-Fie is one of five scientists chosen from an international pool of candidates.

Satish Nair named I.C. Gunsalus Professor in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

2017-09-07

Nair, a professor of biochemistry in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and director of the Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, is a leader in studying how bacteria can make antibiotics and other medicinally relevant molecules.

Auinash Kalsotra Awarded MDA Grant for Studying Myotonic Dystrophy

2017-08-03

The grant to Prof. Kalsotra provides $300,000 over a three-year period to study the molecular basis for cardiac arrhythmias in Myotonic Dystrophy, a multi-systemic disease that affects about 1 in 8000 people with no cure.

Rachel Whitaker Receives Allen Distinguished Investigator Award from The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group

2017-06-20

The Allen Distinguished Investigator program supports early-stage research with the potential to reinvent entire fields.

The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology recognizes professor's dedication, talent, and effectiveness in teaching.

2017-05-25

Dr. Prasanth’s primary teaching responsibility has been the creation and delivery of MCB 400 Cancer Cell Biology, one of the most popular undergraduate elective courses. She is consistently ranked as excellent by her students each semester.