All Researcher of the Year

Researchers Year collage April 2026

April 21, 2026

Meet UIC’s 2025-26 Rising Stars and Distinguished Researchers 

Annual awards honor 14 university researchers, staff for excellence, innovation and impact.

Salman Khetani headshot on UIC campus.

April 20, 2026

Salman Khetani: How can we safely test drugs and chemicals?

Distinguished Researcher in Natural Sciences and Engineering

Shannon Halloway posing in a classroom.

April 20, 2026

Shannon Halloway: Can physical activity delay cognitive decline?

Rising Star in Clinical Sciences

A'Lester Allen posing outside, while sitting on a stone ledge with greenery in the background.

April 20, 2026

A’Lester Allen: How can tiny molecules drive big innovation?

Postdoctoral Scholar of the Year

Researcher of the year Ruixuan Gao Rising Star Basic Life Sciences

April 20, 2026

Ruixuan Gao: What can molecules tell us about our brains?

Rising Star in Basic Life Sciences.

Matthew Daly posing.

April 20, 2026

Matthew Daly: What’s light as glass and strong as metal?

Rising Star in Natural Sciences and Engineering

Terrell Morton posing outside.
Jonathan Connolly Headshot in University Hall.

April 20, 2026

Jonathan Connolly: What does freedom look like after abolition?

Rising Star in Humanities, Arts, Design and Architecture

Timothy Koh headshot in University Hall.

April 20, 2026

Timothy Koh: How can inflammation improve wound healing in diabetes?

Distinguished Researcher in Basic Life Sciences

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