Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Greg Barton, has received the 2026 Lupus Insight Prize (LIP) from the Lupus Research Alliance. Barton, along with Associate Professor at Cincinnati Children’s Olivia Majer, were recognized for their discoveries defining how UNC93B1 regulates TLR7 signaling in lupus. Their LIP Lectureship will take place at the ACR Convergence on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM ET. Learn more about the Lupus Research Alliance 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 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.

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.  

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 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.

Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology, Andreas Martin, has received the 2026 Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award from The Protein Society. This award, sponsored by the Rigaku Corporation, honors outstanding achievements in protein science that significantly advance our understanding of biological systems. Read more about the 2026 Protein Society Award recipients here. 
 

We sadly announce that MCB Professor Emeritus Fred Wilt died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 91, after 62 years on the faculty at UC Berkeley. Fred was born December 12, 1934, in Nappanee, Indiana. Some of Fred’s ancestors had come to this continent well before the American Revolution, while others came from Germany in the 19th century. Fred was a third generation (or so) Hoosier. His father and maternal grandmother ran the Huffman Bakery in Nappanee, where Fred also worked as a youth. Notwithstanding this artisanal background, academics also ran strong in the Wilt family. Fred’s younger brother Alan F. Wilt was a distinguished World War II historian at the University of Iowa, and after moving to Arizona, their father Lisle taught at Arizona State University.

Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology Abby Dernburg, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Edward Penhoet and Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development Noah Whiteman have been elected as 2025 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 
 

Thank you to our incredible community for helping support our fundraising goals during Big Give! Your generosity, dedication, and participation were truly inspiring and are making a meaningful impact.

Because of you, we can continue to advance scientific discovery, broaden research opportunities for students, and support the wellbeing of our community.

This year was a great success — together, we raised $34,505 from more than 111 donors! Your support means so much and has made a lasting difference. On behalf of the entire Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, thank you for being part of this effort.

Go Bears!