Laura Alexander, IB PhD 2025, made the cover of Nature Health as a co-first author on her major study entitled "Ecological and demographic drivers of Oropouche virus transmission". Read the full article here. 

Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology, Ahmad Nabhan, has been named a 2026 Pew-Stewart Scholar for Cancer Research. The Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research is a national initiative that recognizes outstanding early-career scientists whose work has the potential to accelerate discoveries and advance progress toward cancer cures. Nabhan is one of five researchers selected for the 2026 class, with each scholar receiving a four-year grant to support innovative research aimed at improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

The Division of Biological Sciences recently announced the recruitment of five new faculty members who “represent the best and brightest from across the country.” Among the new hires are Tycho Mevissen and Michael Ward, who are joining the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. Read more in the Letters & Science news article here. 

Assistant Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development, Megan Martik, and Assistant Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Molly Ohainle, were named 2026-27 Hellman Fellows. 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 to PhD students Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna and Maria Astolfi, both named to the 2026-27 cohort of CEND Fellows.

Congratulations to Michel DuPage on his promotion to MCB Associate Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine!

The DuPage Lab focuses on epigenetic control of the functional plasticity of T cells in disease. Read more about the DuPage Lab and their research here. 

Congratulations to our MCB PhD, MBT, and BA Class of 2026 graduates!

The MCB Department is proud of our newest graduates and all that they have accomplished! Please help us celebrate the 2026 MCB Commencement Honors awardees listed below.

 

2026 MCB PhD Commencement Honors
The following are the recipients of our annual PhD graduate awards for research, academic, and community achievement.

Congratulations to undergraduate bioengineers Arul Banerjea and Devon Krish, both new recipients of the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. Banerjea is a double major in Bioengineering and Molecular & Cellular Biology, works in the Tjian-Darzacq lab on single-molecule imaging and live-cell assays for Rett syndrome, and devotes time to raising funds for children affected by…

Our researchers have received a new grant from the Biohub non-profit research organization, looking to advance the field of Spatiotemporal omics - the ability to sample biomolecules at different locations and times to watch disease processes unfold. Amy Herr and her UCSF partners Jennifer Rosenbluth and Amrita Basu will be studying integrated organoid systems for immunotherapy toxicity.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology, Jeremy Thorner, will serve on the Editorial Board of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal. Thorner's three-year term with PNAS, one of the nation's most prestigious scientific journals, will commence on July 1, 2026 and end on June 30, 2029. Learn more about the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) here.  

 

A new study co-led by IB Professor Rauri Bowie utilizes advanced genomics to split the gentoo penguin into four separate species—marking the first new penguin species identified in over 100 years. Read the full article in Berkeley News.

Bioengineer Emma Berman is one of four finalists for the 2026 University Medal, Berkeley's highest honor for a graduating senior who has achieved academic excellence while making a positive impact on others.

The MCB Department is pleased to welcome ​​​​​​​Michael Ward, Professor of Molecular Therapeutics, as our newest faculty member effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Ward is an internationally recognized scientist and physician with expertise in age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Read more about Dr. Ward's research and appointment to UC Berkeley here.   

 

Congratulations to our faculty who received the departmental 2026 MCB Outstanding Faculty Awards!

Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Nicholas Ingolia – Outstanding Contribution to Teaching

Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology Kunxin Luo – Outstanding Contribution to Service

Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology, Rebecca Heald, has been elected to serve as the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) President in 2028. In her new role, Heald's priorities include "advancing dynamic, interdisciplinary scientific programming; expanding career development and mentoring opportunities; and reinforcing ASCB’s commitment to broadening participation in the life sciences." Read the ASCB press release to learn more here. 

Professor Rasmus Nielsen is a winner of the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship this year. His laboratory works on the development and application of statistical and computational methods for analyzing genomic data in the context of evolutionary genetics, population genetics and medical genetics. Read the announcement in the Berkeley News.

Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology, Gary Karpen and Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Russell Vance are among six UC Berkeley faculty newly elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). NAS members are selected in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

the Ontogen Medtech Biomedical Innovation Scholarship is intended to support promising biomedical engineering students who are passionate about building real-world medical devices and contributing to patient impact—especially students pursuing hands-on product development, manufacturing, and commercialization pathways. Applications due August 31