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. 

Headshot of Supriya Prasanth, professor and head of the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology.

Congratulations to Supriya Prasanth, who has been named a University Scholar

Supriya G. Prasanth, professor and head of the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology in the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, has been chosen as a University Scholar. The University Scholars Program, established in 1985, aims to support outstanding University of Illinois faculty...
Headshot of Jana Radin

Jana Radin named LAS Honors Faculty Mentor of the Year

Congratulations to Jana Radin on being chosen as the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Honors Faculty Mentor of the Year!
Blue and orange confetti flies in the air.

Congratulations to the 2021 student award winners!

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to announce the winners of its 2020-2021 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....
Headshot of Jie Chen

Jie Chen receives campus award for graduate student mentoring

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...
LAS Impact Award: Recognizing inspiring efforts during COVID-19

MCB students, faculty, and staff recognized for their extraordinary 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...
Bust of Arnold Beckman.

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

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.
Headshot of Cari Vanderpool

Cari Vanderpool elected Fellow of American Academy of Microbiology

Congratulations to Cari Vanderpool, professor of microbiology, who was recently elected a fellow in the American Academy of Microbiology.
A tight shot of a microscope with a soft orange gradient layer.

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

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.
Rachel Whitaker sits at desk, smiling for camera.

Microbiology professor Rachel Whitaker named a University Scholar

Congratulations to Rachel Whitaker for being chosen as a University Scholar. Whitaker, a professor of microbiology...
Phillip Sharp

The lessons of a Nobel Laureate

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