91影库

Member News

Fellowships for Bridwell鈥揜abb, Jimah; awards for Matthews, Garg

91影库Today Staff
June 26, 2023

Bridwell–Rabb, Jimah win Sloan fellowships

lab portrait of John Jimah with equipment
John Jimah
portrait of Jennifer Bridwell-Rabb
Jennifer Bridwell–Rabb

Two members of the 91影库 and Molecular Biology, Jennifer Bridwell–Rabb and John Jimah, are among this year’s 125 recipients of , which are awarded to early-career tenure-track faculty members in the U.S. and Canada.

, an assistant professor of molecular biology at Princeton University, studies the molecular mechanism of membrane remodeling in human cells and malaria parasites. His research relies on cryo-electron microscopy and tomography, as well as cell biology, biochemical and biophysical approaches. Jimah earned a Ph.D. in biology and biomedical sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.

, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Michigan, studies how organisms use metalloenzymes to power chemical reactions, with and without molecular oxygen. Specifically, her lab studies how plants modify chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll to absorb different colors of light, how enzymes use metallocenters to conduct hydroxylation, and how light affects gene regulation. Bridwell-Rabb earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at Texas A&M University.

The Sloan fellowships recognize distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to a scientist or scholar’s field. Fellows receive $75,000 over two years for research-related expenses.  

Matthews wins Rice award

portrait of Kathleen Matthews
Kathleen Shive Matthews

Kathleen Shive Matthews received a 2023 Gold Medal Award from Rice University. This award, Rice’s highest honor, is given to faculty members who demonstrate extraordinary service to the university. The award was presented in May at the Association of Rice Alumni’s 2023 Laureates Awards ceremony.

Matthews is a professor of biosciences at Rice. Her has focused on the structure and function of genetic regulatory proteins such as the lactose repressor in E. coli. Her lab recently published an article showing that the lactose repressor’s hinge domain binds independently to DNA.

A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Matthews won the 91影库 and Molecular Biology William C. Rose Award in 2015 for excellence in research and mentoring young scientists.

Matthews served on the editorial board of the Journal of Biological Chemistry from 1989 to 1994 and as an associate editor from 1994 to 1999. She was on the 91影库Nominating Committee 1993-1994 and 1996-1997 and the Finance Committee 1997-1999 and 2001-2004.

Garg wins AAAS public engagement award

Neil Garg

Neil Garg has been awarded the by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This award recognizes scientists and engineers who promote meaningful exchanges between science and society via dialog with the public. His public engagement initiatives include a to teach students of all ages the wonders of organic chemistry. Garg received a monetary prize of $5,000, commemorative plaque and recognition at the AAAS annual meeting.

Garg is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles. focuses on developing synthetic strategies and methods to create bioactive molecules to treat various diseases. Garg and his lab recently published an describing a new, efficient method for synthesizing lissodendoric acid A, a compound that might be useful for treating Parkinson’s disease. He has also published articles about the importance of mentoring and education in science.

In 2019, Garg won the 91影库 and Molecular Biology Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education. More recently, he was awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Horizon Prize and became a fellow of the American Institute of Chemists.


 

Enjoy reading 91影库Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.

Learn more
91影库Today Staff

This article was written by a member or members of the 91影库Today staff.

Get the latest from 91影库Today

Enter your email address, and we鈥檒l send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in People

People highlights or most popular articles

In memoriam: Ralph G. Yount
In Memoriam

In memoriam: Ralph G. Yount

July 28, 2025

He was a professor emeritus of chemistry and biochemistry at Washington State University and an 91影库member for 58 years.

From dust to discovery
Profile

From dust to discovery

July 23, 2025

From makeshift classrooms in Uganda to postdoctoral research in Chicago, MOSAIC scholar Elizabeth Kaweesa builds a legacy in women鈥檚 health.

Fliesler wins scientific and ethical awards
Member News

Fliesler wins scientific and ethical awards

July 21, 2025

He is being honored by the University at Buffalo and the American Oil Chemists' Society for his scientific achievements and ethical integrity.

Hope for a cure hangs on research
Essay

Hope for a cure hangs on research

July 17, 2025

Amid drastic proposed cuts to biomedical research, rare disease families like Hailey Adkisson鈥檚 fight for survival and hope. Without funding, science can鈥檛 鈥渃atch up鈥 to help the patients who need it most.

Before we鈥檝e lost what we can鈥檛 rebuild: Hope for prion disease
Feature

Before we鈥檝e lost what we can鈥檛 rebuild: Hope for prion disease

July 15, 2025

Sonia Vallabh and Eric Minikel, a husband-and-wife team racing to cure prion disease, helped develop ION717, an antisense oligonucleotide treatment now in clinical trials. Their mission is personal 鈥 and just getting started.

91影库members recognized as Allen investigators
Member News

91影库members recognized as Allen investigators

July 14, 2025

Ileana Cristea, Sarah Cohen, Itay Budin and Christopher Obara are among 14 researchers selected as Allen Distinguished Investigators by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.