The University of Michigan’s Presidential Biosciences Initiative has announced the 2025 recipients of the Michigan Biosciences Faculty Award Recognition. This prestigious award honors three mid-career faculty members for their significant research contributions, academic excellence, and potential to drive scientific innovations.
This year’s awardees include:
Tim Cernak
Associate professor of medicinal chemistry at the College of Pharmacy and associate professor of chemistry in LSA.
Cynthia Chestek
Professor of biomedical engineering at the College of Engineering and Medical School, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and of robotics at CoE, and professor of neurosurgery at Medical School.
Wenjing Wang
Isabella Karle Collegiate Professor in the Life Sciences, William R. Roush Assistant Professor, research associate professor at the Life Sciences Institute, and associate professor of chemistry in LSA.
Established in 2018, MBioFAR supports “superstar” mid-career researchers at pivotal career stages, offering resources for bold, high-risk research. Each year, recipients undergo a thorough review by a faculty director and a subcommittee from U-M’s biosciences community. This year’s director, Liz Speliotes, remarked, “On behalf of the MBioFAR committee and BICC, I can say we loved reading about your work, and we hope you use the money to continue to innovate and lead your fields in new directions.”
Each recipient receives $500,000 in funding for high-impact, innovative research. Cernak, a drug hunter, uses AI and chemistry automation for synthesizing natural products and developing medicines, including for endangered species. Chestek’s lab focuses on neural control systems and implantable neural interfaces for motor prosthetics, aiming for comprehensive hand motion control. Wang’s lab develops genetically encoded sensors and tools for brain systems, advancing therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
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