Congratulations to winners of the MCB Undergraduate Research Symposium

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is proud to announce the winners of our 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium, held on November 12, 2025. Sixty-five students presented posters of their research to attendees of the event, which was held at the Illini Union.

This annual event showcases the scholarly efforts of our undergraduate researchers, who contribute to advancing knowledge in biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, microbiology, and molecular and integrative physiology. Research experience in faculty labs across campus equips students with valuable skills in leadership, communication, and project management while preparing them for graduate school or careers in research. 

School of MCB Director’s Award for Exceptional Research Presentation

• Anne-Louise Anstey, Microbiology (P.I. Rachel Whitaker)
  mexY, a Multi-Drug Efflux Pump Component, Effects Population Structure in a Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection
• Devina Joshi, Comparative Biosciences (P.I. Indrani Bagchi)
  Phthalate-induced disruption of uterine homeostasis and integrity
• Karla Ybanez, Microbiology (P.I. Paola Mera)
  What Did ParA Say to TipN? Exploring Protein Interactions Involved in Chromosome Segregation

School of MCB Outstanding Research Presentation Award

• Simon Kruczak, Microbiology (P.I. Paola Mera)
  Driver Roll Up the Partition Please: Examining the Interactions Between a Polar Protein and Chromosome Partitioning Regulator to Properly Maintain Chromosome Partitioning
• Vraj Patel, Molecular & Integrative Physiology (P.I. Patrick Sweeney)
  The Role of the Paraventricular Thalamus in Encoding Energy States and Food Consumption
• Benjamin Wang, Molecular & Integrative Physiology (P.I. Patrick Sweeney)
  Effects of High Fat Diet Exposure on Chow Devaluation during Pregnancy and Lactation

School of MCB Research Presentation Honorable Mention

• Anuprova Bhowmik, Biochemistry (P.I. Auinash Kalsotra)
  Computational Pathology Analysis Links ESRP2 Dysregulation to Injury Patterns in MetALD
• Hayley Bossard, Molecular & Integrative Physiology (P.I. Lori Raetzman)
  Epigenetic factor Jarid2 contributes to corticotrope differentiation
• Murad Khamis, Biochemistry (P.I. Auinash Kalsotra)
  ESRP2: Linking Circadian Control to Murine Hepatic Chronotherapy
• Marko Ortiz, Biochemistry (P.I. Samy Meroueh)
  Small-Molecule Stabilization of 14-3-3 Interactions with YAP1/TAZ