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

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Heather Lash, Assistant Director of Controlled Environment Facilities for Plant Biology, named one of eight College of LAS award winners
Eight staff members and academic professionals are being honored by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences for outstanding professional contributions.Heather Lash, Kristi McDuffie, and Jamie Thomas-Ward have been selected to receive the LAS Academic Professional Award, which provides a cash...
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Top seven photosynthesis researchers include three Plant Biology faculty members
Plant biology professor Tracy Lawson, plant biology professor emeritus Govindjee Govindjee, and the late plant biology emeritus professor...
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Plant Biology Professor Andrew Leakey Featured in Chicago Tribune
Research by Plant Biology Professor Andrew Leakey was recently highlighted in the Chicago Tribune in a feature story examining the promise of miscanthus, a fast-growing perennial...
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Scientists make new progress in understanding how flowers are built
A team of plant biologists has made an exciting discovery about how flowers grow and organize themselves, and one of the key authors was Assistant Professor in Plant Biology Ya Min (Minya) from the University of Illinois. Their new study...
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Plants’ Sugar Transport Key to Growth Under Stress, Study Finds
A new study in the journal New Phytologist reveals how plants move sugar to get the energy they need to grow, even in challenging conditions. The research was led by the group of Li‑Qing Chen, Associate Professor of Plant...
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Three SIB scientists of twelve from Illinois rank among the world’s most influential
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Twelve scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have been named to the 2025 Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers list. The list recognizes researchers and social scientists who have demonstrated exceptional influence, as reflected through their publication...

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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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