The College of Medicine at Illinois recognized Emeritus Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology Byron Kemper and Arends Professor Emerita of Microbiology Abigail A. Salyers for their excellence in research and teaching.

The College of Medicine at Illinois recognized Emeritus Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology Byron Kemper and Arends Professor Emerita of Microbiology Abigail A. Salyers for their excellence in research and teaching.

Kemper has published over 100 papers about cytochromes P450, a superfamily of enzymes that catalyze the oxidative metabolism of many compounds and play important roles as activators and inactivators of drugs and carcinogens. He currently studies the role of nuclear receptors in the regulation of liver metabolism with his wife, Associate Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology Jongsook Kim Kemper. Kemper has taught physiology, cell biology, and ethics courses in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and has also served as the Head of the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology.

Salyers has published over 150 papers about the normally occurring bacteria of the human intestinal tract, which can cause infection after surgery and have become antibiotic-resistant over time. She received the G. William Arends endowed appointment in 2004 for her research achievements. Salyers has served on multiple federal advisory panels and as the President of the American Society for Microbiology. She has also been recognized for her valuable instruction to students, being awarded the Golden Apple Award, as well as appearing on the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students.