Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

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Rijo-Ferreira named Freeman Hrabowski Scholar

Fri, 06/27/2025 - 11:33

Filipa Rijo-Ferreira named 2025 Freeman Hrabowski ScholarAssistant Professor (Affiliated) of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Filipa Rijo-Ferreira, was named a 2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholar. The five-year grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) supports "outstanding early career faculty who have the potential to become leaders in their research fields and to create lab environments in which everyone can thrive". Read more about the 2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars here.  

Three MCB postdocs selected as Jane Coffin Childs Fellows

Wed, 06/25/2025 - 10:59

2025 Jane Coffin Childs Fellows Aurora Alvarez-Buylla (Schepartz Lab), Grace Hibshman (Nogales Lab) and Heegwang Roh (Rapé Lab)Congratulations to MCB postdocs Aurora Alvarez-Buylla (Schepartz Lab), Grace Hibshman (Nogales Lab) and Heegwang Roh (Rapé Lab) who have been selected as 2025 Jane Coffin Childs Fellows!

Fisher receives McKnight Scholar Award

Mon, 06/23/2025 - 13:56

Yvette Fischer receives McKnight Scholar AwardAssistant Professor (Affiliated) of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology, Yvette Fisher, was selected as one of ten neuroscientists to receive the 2025 McKnight Scholar Award. Granted by the McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience (MEFN), recipients are early-career scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to neuroscience. Read more about the 2025 McNight Scholars here
 

Fisher named Freeman Hrabowski Scholar

Mon, 06/23/2025 - 11:46

Yvette Fisher named 2025 Freeman Hrabowski ScholarAssistant Professor (Affiliated) of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology, Yvette Fisher, was named a 2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholar. The five-year grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) supports "outstanding early career faculty who have the potential to become leaders in their research fields and to create lab environments in which everyone can thrive". Read more about the 2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars here.  

Brar promoted to professor

Wed, 06/18/2025 - 10:53

Gloria BrarCongratulations to Gloria Brar on her promotion to MCB Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology!

The Brar Lab aims to unravel the unconventional molecular circuitry that allows precursor cells to be remodeled into gametes. Read more about the Brar lab and their research.  

Hockemeyer promoted to professor

Wed, 06/18/2025 - 10:52

Dirk HockemeyerCongratulations to Dirk Hockemeyer on his promotion to MCB Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology!

The Hockemeyer Lab focuses on establishing reliable models of human diseases using genetically engineered human and stem cell and mouse models and functional genomics screening approaches. Read more about the Hockemeyer Lab and their research.  

New supercomputer named after Doudna

Fri, 06/13/2025 - 10:01

Doudna supercomputerThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a new contract with Dell Technologies to develop a supercomputer named after Jennifer Doudna at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). The new flagship computer, NERSC-10, will support large-scale high-performance computing workloads that make cutting-edge science possible. Read the announcement from the Berkeley Lab here

Ünal promoted to professor

Tue, 06/10/2025 - 17:32

Elçin ÜnalCongratulations to Elçin Ünal on her promotion to MCB Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development!

The Ünal Lab studies the principles that control the nuclear and cytoplasmic integrity of gametes. Read more about the Ünal lab and their research.  

Whiteman receives 2025 GSA Medal

Tue, 06/10/2025 - 08:00
Noah Whiteman

Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development Noah Whiteman has been awarded the 2025 Genetics Society of America medal for his "outstanding contributions to the field of genetics."  Read about the award and his research.  

Nuñez named Hellman Fellow

Tue, 06/03/2025 - 12:01

James NuñezAssistant Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology, James Nuñez, was named a 2025 Hellman Fellow. This award, from the Society of Hellman Fellows Fund, was designed to support early career faculty who have shown evidence of their promise for distinction in research. Read more about the Society of Hellman Fellows here.

Postdoc Erin Doherty named Leading Edge Fellow

Mon, 06/02/2025 - 15:18

Erin Doherty named Leading Edge FellowCongratulations to MCB postdoc Erin Doherty (Doudna Lab) on being named a 2025 Leading Edge Fellow for her pioneering research focused on the mechanism of viral immune evasion strategies. Read more about the Leading Edge Fellows here. 

Fu named Hellman Fellow

Mon, 06/02/2025 - 14:52

Meng-meng FuAssistant Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology, Meng-meng Fu, was named a 2025 Hellman Fellow. This award, from the Society of Hellman Fellows Fund, was designed to support early career faculty who have shown evidence of their promise for distinction in research. Read more about the Society of Hellman Fellows here.

Congratulations 2025 commencement award winners

Wed, 05/28/2025 - 16:14

commencement_cap_greek_noah_berger

Congratulations to our MCB PhD, MBT, and BA Class of 2025 graduates!

The MCB Department is proud of our newest graduates and all that they have accomplished! Please help us celebrate the 2025 MCB Commencement Honors awardees listed below.

 

2025 MCB PhD Commencement Honors
The following are the recipients of our annual PhD graduate awards for research, academic, and community achievement.

2025 MCB Postdocs Research Showcase: Amplifying Science Through Connection

Tue, 05/27/2025 - 12:03

On May 5, 2025, MCB held its 4th annual Postdocs Research Showcase at Sutardja Dai Hall, bringing together approximately 70 attendees for a day of scientific exchange, career development, and community building.
 

Nogales elected to the Royal Society

Fri, 05/23/2025 - 10:58

 Christopher MichelProfessor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Eva Nogales was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society. The Royal Society selects their fellows for their exceptional contributions to science. Read more about the researchers elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society here.  
 

The Spring 2025 Transcript newsletter is here!

Tue, 05/20/2025 - 12:25

Lung organoids (Ahmad Nabhan Lab)Learn about MCB's exciting research, master of biotech cohort, new faculty, youth STEM conference, alumni and more!

Read the Spring 2025 MCB Transcript.

Outstanding faculty awards

Thu, 05/15/2025 - 13:55

 Outstanding Teaching Awards

Congratulations to our faculty who received the departmental 2025 MCB Outstanding Faculty Awards!

Associate Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology Gloria Brar Outstanding Contribution to Teaching

Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology Meng-meng Fu – Outstanding Contribution to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Professor of Molecular Therapeutics Michael RapéOutstanding Contribution to Service

Collins elected to National Academy of Sciences

Tue, 04/29/2025 - 14:11

Kathleen Collins NAS electionProfessor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology, Kathleen Collins, was elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). NAS members are selected in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Read the National Academy of Sciences' announcement here

Dan and Rio elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 10:28

Dan and Rio elected to American Academy of Arts and SciencesProfessor of Molecular Therapeutics Yang Dan and Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Donald Rio have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS). The Academy selects members for their exceptional contributions with the aim to connect across disciplines to advance the common good. Read more about the individuals elected in 2025 here
 

MCB faculty and PhD candidate named MTI Innovator Awardees

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 10:56

2025 MTI Innovator AwardeesFive MCB faculty and one PhD candidate were recently named 2025 Molecular Therapeutics Initiative (MTI) Innovator Awardees: