Honors for Arvidson, Kennelly and Studier

Arvidson wins teaching award

Ryan Arvidson

Ryan Arvidson has been awarded the Carl F. Wittke Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching by Case Western Reserve University. Wittke was a faculty member, dean and vice president of the university.

Arvidson is an assistant professor of biochemistry at the CWRU School of Medicine. His research combines bioinformatics, molecular modeling and cell biology techniques to understand the structure–function relationships of G-protein coupled receptors. He is also interested in using wasp toxins to control apoptosis and is studying their effects on neurotoxicology, pharmacology, aging and neuronal degeneration. Arvidson teaches the introductory biochemistry course in addition to the metabolism-track classes within the biochemistry major program. Prior to his time at CWRU, Arvidson worked with Michael Adams, a professor of entomology, cell biology and neuroscience at the University of California Riverside.

“It’s humbling,” Arvidson said of receiving the award in a CWRU press release. “This award is student-driven so it makes it a tremendous honor. It also gives me confidence that I’m doing the right thing; and to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Kennelly honored with emeritus status

Peter Kennelly

Peter Kennelly has been conferred the title of professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. This honor is awarded in recognition of exemplary service to the university.

Kennelly is a professor of biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. His lab uses archaea to dissect the development and evolution of protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. He previously served as head of biochemistry. In this role, he expanded the research portfolio, recruited nine new faculty, grew the undergraduate program and secured American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology accreditation of the biochemistry program.

Kennelly has been a member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology since 1986. He served on both the Education and Professional Development Committee and the Membership Committee for many years, and he chaired each. He also has been a member of the Journal of Biological Chemistry’s editorial board. Kennelly won the 2024 William C. Rose Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education, and he contributed to the Inclusive Community for the Assessment of Biochemistry and Molecular Learning. In addition, he contributed to the development of programs that are now pillars of the ASBMB education portfolio — the accreditation program and the ASBMB exam. He has authored multiple articles for ASBMB Today. He is a 2024 ASBMB fellow.

Studier receives Merkin Prize

F. William Studier

F. William Studier won the second annual Richard N. Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology in May for his development of an efficient, scalable method of producing RNA and proteins in the laboratory. The Merkin Prize recognizes novel technologies that have improved human health. Studier will be awarded a $400,000 cash award. 

Studier is a senior biophysicist emeritus at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory. He pioneered the development of the T7 expression system, which uses the T7 bacteriophage RNA polymerase and T7 promoter to induce high-level gene expression in E. coli. This system revolutionized molecular biology by enabling the efficient production of recombinant proteins. Studier's work has allowed for the mass production of RNA and proteins used in various scientific and medical applications, including the COVID-19 vaccine. He has been elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Inventors. 

"F. William Studier's brilliant work on the T7 system transformed biomedicine, saving millions of lives globally and improving the chances for further research that will change healthcare delivery," Richard Merkin, CEO and founder of the Heritage Provider Network, a physician-owned health care system, said in a press release. "His work exemplifies why I created this prize initiative that honors and showcases amazing innovators like Bill. I'm honored to be celebrating his remarkable achievements."