Biochemistry and Cell Biology Annual Newsletter

Dear Alumni and Friends,

It is my pleasure to share with you the latest updates from the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. This past year has been a period of renewal, accomplishment, and forward momentum for the BCB community.

Welcome to Our New Faculty:

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Julia Rogers and Dr. Vish Chandrasekaran, who joined the BCB faculty in September 2025, and Dr. Subhrajit (Subhra) Banerjee, who joined the BCB faculty in September.

• • Rogers' laboratory employs molecular and biochemical approaches to investigate regulatory mechanisms that control gene expression during development and in response to disease‑associated signaling pathways.
  • Chandrasekaran’s laboratory uses biochemical and structural approaches to define the mechanistic principles underlying eukaryotic protein synthesis.
  • Banerjee’s laboratory uses biochemical and molecular approaches to explore mechanistic details of lipid transfer, homeostasis, and organelle quality control.

Welcome to Our New Administrative Staff:

We are delighted to welcome Patricia Sanna, human resources administrator who joined us in April 2026 and Melissa Thornton, faculty affairs and grants management administrator, who joined us in July 2026.

Celebrating Distinguished Careers

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Bernadette Holdener, Dr. Keith Shepard, Dr. Paul Bingham and Dr. Zuzana Zachara for their dedicated service to the department. We wish them all a fulfilling and well‑earned retirement.

iGEM Team Earns Gold

Congratulations to the Stony Brook iGEM team—mentored by Dr. Peter Gergen, Dr. Kathryn Gunn, and BCB graduate student Melanie Cragan—on achieving a gold medal at this year’s international competition. Their accomplishment highlights the creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit of our  students and faculty.

Gratitude for Alumni and Supporters

We extend our sincere thanks to our alumni and friends for their generous support of the BCB Endowment for Excellence. We offer special recognition to Dr. Amy Liao for her exceptional contribution. Your support enhances opportunities for students and faculty alike and strengthens the future of our department.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming academic year promises continued growth as we resume two faculty searches at the assistant professor level. Our mission remains centered on advancing excellence in Biochemistry and Cell Biology while cultivating a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic academic community.

Sincerely,

Wali Karzai

Professor and Chair

Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Please check out the rest of our newsletter to learn more about the department!

Check out BCB newsletters from previous years: 2025 BCB Newsletter