Alumni & Friends

Welcome back SIB Alumni!

We’re thrilled to reconnect with our vibrant community of SIB graduates—your achievements, insights, and continued engagement are what make our legacy of discovery and impact so meaningful. Whether you’re here to share your story, mentor the next generation, or stay updated on the latest news and opportunities, we’re glad you’re part of the SIB family.

SIB News

A man working at a microscope
Splitting hairs to keep the public safe
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Counting the marginal dorsal hairs on blacklegged tick larvae would probably be a tedious affair for most people. But it is a normal day for me in the Medical Entomology Laboratory of the...
A woman in a lab coat looking at plants growing with fluorescent lights
Tuning in to fluorescence to farm smarter: monitoring plant light use saves indoor farm energy costs
Plant owners with a so-called green thumb often seem to have a more finely tuned sense of what their plants need than the rest of us. A new “smart lighting” system for indoor vertical farms grants this ability on a facility-wide scale, responsively meeting plants’ needs while reducing energy...
A poster with a beetle that has a human face on it, the rest of the poster gives the Insect Fear Film Festival information
43rd Annual Insect Fear Film Festival
Press ReleaseDate: Feb 11, 2025Contact: Joseph Spina or Ember Clodfelterjmspina2@illinois.edu or enc3@illinois.eduWebsite: https://publish.illinois.edu/...
A woman in glasses with a black blazer and white and black flowery shirt smiling in front of a window
Academic Advisor Christina Swanson named 2026 Student Success Champion Award Winner
SIB is proud to announce that Christina Swanson has been honored with the 2026 Student Success Champion Award. This distinguished...
A closeup of young corn growing outside on a cloudy day
Genes from corn's wild ancestor change soil microbial community, improve sustainability
Corn bred with genes from wild relatives can reshape soil microbial communities and reduce nitrogen loss — with no yield reduction — according to new research from the University of Illinois Urbana-...
A side by side photo with an older man in a blue shirt and glasses and a younger man in a gray suit with a red tie on the right
EEB scientists reveal how fish skin helps protect against fast attacks
Scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have helped uncover how fish skin protects fish from sharp, fast attacks in the wild, and the research highlights how curiosity, creativity, and mentorship can come together to drive discovery. The study was co-authored by...

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Please help us continue guiding the next generation of scientists.

You and your investment play an invaluable role in the success of our students, faculty, and staff. Your impact is evident in the cutting-edge discoveries and transformative educational experiences that have emerged from our school. 

As we continue to push the boundaries of scientific understanding, we would like to convey our gratitude to you for being instrumental in shaping the future of biological sciences and fostering a community committed to excellence by supporting our School through fellowships, scholarships, and essential upgrades to laboratories, classrooms, and technologies. 

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Celebrate excellence — nominate a fellow alumni for a distinguished alumni award!

Help us honor the remarkable achievements of School of Integrative Biology alumni! We’re seeking nominations for the Achievement Award and the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award. Both are a chance to spotlight a fellow SIB grad whose professional success or exceptional contributions reflect the value of their Illinois education.

Know someone who inspires, leads, or makes an impact in their field? Submit your nomination by the deadline and give them the recognition they deserve within the SIB community!

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