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. 

Govindjee at work in his office.

Govindjee receives Lifetime Achievement Award for photosynthesis research

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign plant biology professor emeritus Govindjee is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Photosynthesis Research, an honor he shares with Eva-Mari Aro, a professor emeritus of molecular plant biology at the University of...
Photo of two rows of pink test tubes in an orange test tube holder.

MCB teachers ranked as excellent by students in Spring 2022

More than 30 MCB teachers and teaching assistants were recognized by their students in the Spring 2022 semester for excellence in instruction.
Exterior shot of IGB

Young Innovator program successfully concludes its second year

The Young Innovator program is designed to help trainees become innovative leaders in their fields. The students attended classes for ten weeks over the summer and, at the end of the program, participated in an idea competition, showcasing the projects.
Two headshots side by side of Sneha Das, Microbiology, and Nicole Godellas, Molecular and Integrative Physiology

Graduate College welcomes first cohort of career exploration fellows

The Graduate College is excited to announce the first cohort of fellows participating in its Career Exploration Fellowship Program. The program connects doctoral students with university administrative units for substantive, mentored work experiences where they can develop skills and explore new...
A graduate teaching assistant works in the lab with students looking over shoulder. She is silhouetted with a blue shadow.

School of MCB ranked in "Degrees of the Future 2022" list

Gizmodo released its list of top-ranked "Degrees of the Future 2022" in August. The news outlet partnered with the independent market research provider Statista to identify the top universities within 25 disciplinary areas. 
Tight shot of the head of Alma Mater statue on an overcast day

MCB student-athletes earn Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors

The 2021-22 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar list was announced Thursday (July 14) by the conference office. Fighting Illini student-athletes, including three molecular and cellular biology students, earned 93 honors.
Headshot of Nicholas Wu.

Biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu awarded Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award

Biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu has been awarded the Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award by the American Society for Virology. As a recipient of the award, Wu delivered a research talk at the 2022 ASV Annual Meeting. This year's conference is being held at UW-Madison from July 16-20. 
Wide exterior shot of the Beckman Institute on a summer day.

MCB students among Beckman Institute's 2022 fellowship, award recipients

Eleven students have been selected to receive 2022 Beckman Institute fellowships and awards. The awards, which fund interdisciplinary research that takes place over the summer, will be celebrated at a virtual gathering on July 29, 2022.
Govindjee stands next to a plaque outside titled "Understanding Photosynthesis."

Emeritus professor Govindjee delivers 2022 Anton Lang Lecture

Congratulations to Govindjee, University of Illinois professor emeritus of biophysics, biochemistry, and plant biology, who delivered the 2022 Anton Lang Lecture at Michigan State University this spring.
Text on photo: Congrats to MCB student award winners. Various pictures from May 2022 awards ceremony interspersed with squares and blocks filled solid with orange and blue.

Congratulations to student award winners!

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to announce the winners of its 2021-2022 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....