Faculty Highlights

Quiescent or Senescent? Cancer Center Research Helps Identify Cancer That is More Likely to Recur

Jessica Helzer — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:27:53 +0000

Quiescent or Senescent? Cancer Center Research Helps Identify Cancer That is More Likely to Recur Jessica Helzer Mon, 02/16/2026 - 06:27

Associate professor Sabrina Spencer, PhD, and PhD candidate Brianna Fernandez led the study published in Nature Communications.

In a study that could have implications for more effective cancer therapies and preventing cancer recurrence, University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center member Sabrina Spencer, PhD, working with graduate student Brianna Fernandez, used single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate the cell-cycle state of cells following chemotherapy.

Specifically, the researchers were looking to characterize cells in one of two arrested states: quiescence, a reversible state of cell-cycle arrest, and senescence, an irreversible state of cell-cycle arrest. Their research was published in January 2026 in the journal Nature Communications.

The Department of Biochemistry at 91��ý looks forward to the ongoing Spencer/Fernandez research and what the duo will continue to discover.

Read Full Article Here

Associate professor Sabrina Spencer, PhD, and PhD candidate Brianna Fernandez

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Nobel Laureate Tom Cech to give distinguished lecture March 11

Jessica Helzer — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:43:38 +0000

Nobel Laureate Tom Cech to give distinguished lecture March 11 Jessica Helzer Fri, 02/13/2026 - 07:43

Attend the 2026 Arts and Sciences Honors Program Distinguished Lecture Series on March 11.

The College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program is thrilled to welcome Tom Cech, distinguished professor of biochemistry and Nobel Laureate in chemistry, as this spring's featured speaker. In his presentation, "The Magic of RNA: New Medicines, Immortality, and the Power to Control Evolution", Cech will discuss the extraordinary power of RNA.

Since the 1960’s, RNA has been understood as the messenger for the code of life stored in the DNA double helix. Decades of research on messenger RNA allowed the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to be developed in record time in 2020, putting the brakes on the viral pandemic. But RNA is so much more than a simple messenger—it is an active participant in the chemistry of life.

In his talk, Cech will explore some of RNA’s magical powers and stories that are recounted in his recent book "The Catalyst."

If you go
Who: Open to the public
What: "The Magic of RNA: New Medicines, Immortality, and the Power to Control Evolution"
When: Wednesday, March 11, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Gold Biosciences Building, Gold Auditorium (A2B70)

More Details Here

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Karolin Luger wins Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science

Jessica Helzer — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:22:13 +0000

Karolin Luger wins Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science Jessica Helzer Mon, 02/02/2026 - 08:22

The award recognizes 91��ý biochemist’s career dedication to the study of nucleosomes and groundbreaking discoveries

Karolin Luger, a distinguished professor of biochemistry and the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Endowed Chair of Biochemistry, has been awarded the 2026 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science.

The $100,000 award recognizes her career dedication to the study of nucleosomes—research that led to the groundbreaking capture of a high-resolution image of chromatin and resulted in the development of novel drug treatments for diseases including cancer.

The Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science honor immigrants who are leading advancements in biomedical research in the United States. Prize co-founder Jan Vilcek—whose research led to the development of the drug Remicade—established prizes to support distinct ingenuity in scientific inquiry.

Karolin Luger, a distinguished professor of biochemistry and the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Endowed Chair of Biochemistry, has been awarded the 2026 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science. (Photo: Vilcek Foundation)

Presented annually since 2006, the Vilcek Foundation prizes honor immigrant contributions to societal advancement in the United States and recognize excellence in the arts and sciences. Since the prizes program began 20 years ago, the Vilcek Foundation has awarded $9.6 million to individuals “whose perspectives, creativity and vision have enriched the United States.”

Full Article from Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

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91��ý Announces Dr. Akhil Khanal as 2026 Recipient of "The Best Should Teach" Award

Jessica Helzer — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:28:45 +0000

91��ý Announces Dr. Akhil Khanal as 2026 Recipient of "The Best Should Teach" Award Jessica Helzer Mon, 01/26/2026 - 12:28

Dr. Akhil Khanal has been announced as a 2025-2026 recipient of "The Best Should Teach" Gold Award.

The Best Should Teach Initiative strives to acknowledge excellence in teaching and academic leadership. The initiative is managed by the Center for Teaching & Learning in coordination with the School of Education, and the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. Lindley and Marguerite Stiles established the initiative in 1996 to promulgate the message that “The Best Should Teach.”

Dr. Khanal joins an elite group of dedicated scholars who demonstrate exceptional teaching and academic leadership, exemplifying award founders Lindley and Marguerite Stiles’ message, “The Best Should Teach.” Dr. Khanal is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the 91��ý Department of Biochemistry.

Two students, including Callum Eager, nominated Dr. Khanal for the award and they noted:

The best teachers embrace the role they play in student’s lives, which is one that can be impactful to one’s personhood as well as academic growth. Dr. Khanal embraces genuine academic curiosity in his teaching style, setting an example for lifelong learning. For example, at the start of our discussion on reaction mechanisms, something he prefaced would be challenging, he showed us a brief video a colleague took of SN2 reactions happening in a cell as telomerase extended the telomeres of DNA. While not necessarily key to our success with the topic on a test, it ignited my excitement to see how this topic expands beyond o-chem. You could tell Dr. Khanal was equally passionate about showing these connections.

Taking small moments to include facts or connections about o-chem in medicine, biotech, etc. all make the class far more fruitful and complete. He maintains high standards but makes them all achievable in my opinion, something I’ve always valued in teachers. Finally, one can tell he genuinely cares about his students and wants us to become future lifelong academics who continue to remain curious, show consistency and dedication to our work, and enjoy learning for the privilege it is. Dr. Khanal has made me not only interested in o-chem but also more interested in every scientific discipline at play in the world around me, an often hard to achieve outcome of teaching.

All are welcome to join us in the Chancellor’s Auditorium in CASE for an award ceremony on Thursday, March 5.

Primary Invitees: CU faculty, graduate students, and K-12 teachers from local school districts

Awards Ceremony: 6 pm-7:30 pm

Reception: 7:30 pm to 9 pm

The Department of Biochemistry congratulates Dr. Khanal in receipt of this student nominated and faculty committee selected award!

About "The Best Should Teach"

The Best Should Teach Initiative celebrates excellence in teaching at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. It supports the preparation of college and university faculty, as well as public school teachers, in their disciplinary fields. Best Should Teach Gold and Silver Awards are presented at the event each year. The Best Should Teach event and awards are co-funded by the Ira and Ineva Baldwin Fund in the CU Foundation and Brian Good's private Best Should Teach Fund, with additional support from the Center for Teaching & Learning, the School of Education, and the College of Arts and Sciences.

More Details on "The Best Should Teach"

Dr. Akhil Khanal, Teaching Assistant Professor, 91��ý Department of Biochemistry

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Tom Cech to Davos: RNA research is 'still a big deal'

Jessica Helzer — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:56:27 +0000

Tom Cech to Davos: RNA research is 'still a big deal' Jessica Helzer Wed, 01/21/2026 - 11:56

Nobel laureate Tom Cech will address political leaders, CEOs and tech pioneers from around the globe at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland this week. His message: RNA research is critical for human health and good for the global economy.

“The potential of RNA therapeutics right now is phenomenal,” said Cech, a distinguished professor of biochemistry at 91��ý who won the 1989 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his RNA research. “But unfortunately, we are living at a time when RNA has become politicized.”

Cech will join RNA researcher and 2024 Nobel Prize winner Victor Ambros for a Wednesday morning talk titled “RNA: Why it is still a big deal.” He’ll also participate in a luncheon titled “Stories of Courage and Discovery.”

His visit comes as misinformation about the molecule abounds on social media, and public funding for some RNA-related research is under threat. In August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human services moved to cancel nearly $500 million in contracts that funded mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccine development.

This week’s WEF meeting is expected to draw 3,000 leaders from 130 countries, including 400 top political leaders—President Donald Trump among them—and 850 top CEOS.

Cech said he hopes his visit can help shed light on the rich history and great promise of the long-overlooked molecule that has inspired 11 Nobel prizes and nearly 400 new drugs.

“This is not a new-fangled invention to be frightened of,” said Cech. “These are proven technologies built through science over the course of six decades and they have the potential to save millions of lives.”

Full Article 91��ý Today

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New NAI Fellow and Biochemistry Professor Xuedong Liu Leads in Research and Medical Innovation

Jessica Helzer — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:36:07 +0000

New NAI Fellow and Biochemistry Professor Xuedong Liu Leads in Research and Medical Innovation Jessica Helzer Fri, 11/14/2025 - 10:36

University of Colorado Boulder biochemistry professor Xuedong Liu was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors this year, recognizing a career of pioneering discoveries and real-world impact. His research on cellular communication has fueled four startups advancing novel treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Since he was in grade school, Xuedong Liu (91��ý Biochemistry) has been intrigued by ‘how the world works.’ But becoming a biologist mostly involved memorizing, classifying and observing–all important skills—and Liu was curious about how organisms are put together, their inner workings and how they progress in a predetermined manner. So he looked to chemistry and physics for laws and rules and ways to predict activity. Ultimately, by combining the disciplines, he saw the best chance to advance science and discovery in a meaningful way. Liu thought, “There’s so much unknown and there’s so much promise–and there’s great opportunity there.”

Fast forward to Atlanta, Georgia in June 2025 when Liu—whose innovations have now led to the creation of four startup companies bringing novel disease therapies to the world—received a medal for being inducted into the elite ranks of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). NAI fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors.

“These academic inventors have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation, and their inventions have made a tangible impact on the quality of life, economic development and welfare of our society,” said Coke Stewart, acting undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and acting director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, who presided over the ceremony.

The NAI chooses “people that have really done something of huge value with their patents,” said Hannah Nelson, associate director of licensing at Venture Partners at 91��ý and biosciences team lead. “You are not recognized by the NAI unless you are in the very top tier of inventors,” she said. “It’s a prestigious designation that shows that you have contributed again and again in a really substantial way to innovation.”

While Liu knew he had been nominated for the distinction, “it was a very nice surprise,” he said. Liu was deeply honored by the recognition and credited his colleagues and collaborators, who have contributed to a collective effort to solve tough problems in fighting disease. The honor has fanned the flames of Liu’s work. “It’s motivated me even more to do things that change the world,” he said.

More Details from CU Venture Partners

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Welcome to Assistant Professor Nathan Belliveau, Ph.D.

Jessica Helzer — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:45:35 +0000

Welcome to Assistant Professor Nathan Belliveau, Ph.D. Jessica Helzer Fri, 08/29/2025 - 18:45

BioFrontiers Institute welcomed Nathan Belliveau in Fall 2025 as an Assistant Professor − Marvin H. Caruthers Endowed Chair for Early-Career Faculty. The Belliveau Lab combines bioengineering, biophysics, cell biology, and genomics to uncover mechanisms of electric field-directed cell migration.

91��ý Biochemistry welcomes Nathan Belliveau, Ph.D., as one of its departmental faculty.

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CU Biochemistry Distinguished Professor Karolin Luger Receives 2025 AB Nexus Award in Partnership with Anschutz Collaborator

Jessica Helzer — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:31:53 +0000

CU Biochemistry Distinguished Professor Karolin Luger Receives 2025 AB Nexus Award in Partnership with Anschutz Collaborator Jessica Helzer Tue, 08/19/2025 - 09:31

AB Nexus Announces 2025 Grant Awards with an Emphasis on Quantum-Focused Research Collaborations

Program supports multidisciplinary research partnerships between CU Anschutz and 91��ý

The 2025 AB Nexus awardees include two quantum-focused teams, each receiving a $300,000 seed grant, and two teams of early career scientists, each receiving $75,000 in funding. More details on the teams and their research focus areas can be found below.

Harnessing AI-Quantum Computing for Colorectal Cancer Therapies

🔬 Principal Investigators: Daniel LaBarbera, PhD (CU Anschutz), and Karolin Luger, PhD (91��ý)

This project uses cutting-edge quantum computing technologies, AI and the resources of the CU Anschutz Center for Drug Discovery to accelerate new treatments for colorectal cancer. By optimizing a promising class of drugs that target a key protein involved in tumor progression, the team aims to improve chemotherapy effectiveness and bring a new therapy closer to clinical trials—all while positioning Colorado as a leader in quantum-powered health innovation.

Complete Details on 2025 AB Nexus Awards

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CU Biochemistry Assistant Professor Vignesh Kasinath Receives Pew Biomedical Science Grant

Jessica Helzer — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 03:57:01 +0000

CU Biochemistry Assistant Professor Vignesh Kasinath Receives Pew Biomedical Science Grant Jessica Helzer Tue, 08/12/2025 - 21:57

Biochemist Vignesh Kasinath will receive four years of funding ‘to uncover fundamental insights about human health and disease

Vignesh Kasinath, a University of Colorado Boulder assistant professor of biochemistry, has been named a 2025 Pew Biomedical Scholar.

Kasinath is among a cohort of 22 early-career scholars who will receive four years of funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts “to uncover fundamental insights about human health and disease.” Dr. Kasinath will study how cells “silence” transposons, genetic elements whose movement within the genome can disrupt the function of genes.

The Pew Charitable Trusts today announced the 22 researchers joining the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences. These early-career scientists will receive four years of funding to uncover fundamental insights about human health and disease.

“For 40 years, Pew has supported young, talented researchers as they take creative approaches to solving big scientific questions,” said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Pew’s senior vice president for Philadelphia and scientific advancement. “This new class continues that legacy, and we look forward to seeing where their discoveries lead.”

The 2025 class—all early-career, junior faculty—marks the 40th group of Pew scholars to be awarded funding since the program’s founding in 1985. They join a rich network of more than 1,000 Pew-funded scientists and will have opportunities to meet annually to exchange ideas and form collaborations across disciplines.

“Pew-funded scientists have long contributed to biomedical research discoveries that have improved human health,” said Lee Niswander, Ph.D., a 1995 Pew scholar and chair of the program’s national advisory committee. “I’m confident this new class of scholars, with their innovative and creative approaches to scientific research, will continue this tradition.” Niswander is currently the 91��ý Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCDB) Chair, Principal Investigator, and Distinguished Professor.

91��ý Arts and Sciences Magazine Feature

Pew Charitable Trusts 2025 Pew Scholars Awards

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CU Biochemistry Aaron Whiteley Lab: Pursuing the link between bacteria, amyloid proteins, and human health

Jessica Helzer — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:29:49 +0000

CU Biochemistry Aaron Whiteley Lab: Pursuing the link between bacteria, amyloid proteins, and human health Jessica Helzer Fri, 08/01/2025 - 11:29

In microbial wars, bacteria suit up with a protein linked to Alzheimer’s

Amyloids are perhaps best known as a key driver of Alzheimer’s disease.

The amorphous proteins, found throughout the human body, stick to nerve cells like plaque, choking off their function and contributing to a host of neurodegenerative diseases.

According to new University of Colorado Boulder research published this month in the journal Nature, these oft-maligned proteins also serve a critical role for bacteria in our environment, enabling them to fight off other “predatory bacteria.”

“We discovered that bacteria all around us are using amyloids as a molecular suit of armor,” said senior author Aaron Whiteley, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry.

By better understanding how bacteria defend themselves against threats, scientists could ultimately develop new tools to kill microbes growing out of control in places like hospitals and food processing facilities, he said. Such research can also offer new insight into how the human immune system works.

“A lot of the cellular machinery that makes up our own immune system actually originated in bacteria a billion-plus years ago,” said Whiteley. “If we can understand how bacteria are using those genes, we can better understand how humans use them too and possibly turn that knowledge into new therapies.”

Click here for the full article in 91��ý Today

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