Karolin Luger wins Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science

Jessica Helzer — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:22:13 +0000

Karolin Luger wins Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science Jessica Helzer Mon, 02/02/2026 - 08:22

The award recognizes CU Boulder biochemist’s career dedication to the study of nucleosomes and groundbreaking discoveries

Karolin Luger, a distinguished professor of biochemistry and the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Endowed Chair of Biochemistry, has been awarded the 2026 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science.

The $100,000 award recognizes her career dedication to the study of nucleosomes—research that led to the groundbreaking capture of a high-resolution image of chromatin and resulted in the development of novel drug treatments for diseases including cancer.

The Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science honor immigrants who are leading advancements in biomedical research in the United States. Prize co-founder Jan Vilcek—whose research led to the development of the drug Remicade—established prizes to support distinct ingenuity in scientific inquiry.

Karolin Luger, a distinguished professor of biochemistry and the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Endowed Chair of Biochemistry, has been awarded the 2026 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science. (Photo: Vilcek Foundation)

Presented annually since 2006, the Vilcek Foundation prizes honor immigrant contributions to societal advancement in the United States and recognize excellence in the arts and sciences. Since the prizes program began 20 years ago, the Vilcek Foundation has awarded $9.6 million to individuals “whose perspectives, creativity and vision have enriched the United States.”

Full Article from Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

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CU Boulder Announces Dr. Akhil Khanal as 2026 Recipient of "The Best Should Teach" Award

Jessica Helzer — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:28:45 +0000

CU Boulder Announces Dr. Akhil Khanal as 2026 Recipient of "The Best Should Teach" Award Jessica Helzer Mon, 01/26/2026 - 12:28

Dr. Akhil Khanal has been announced as a 2025-2026 recipient of "The Best Should Teach" Gold Award.

The Best Should Teach Initiative strives to acknowledge excellence in teaching and academic leadership. The initiative is managed by the Center for Teaching & Learning in coordination with the School of Education, and the College of Arts and Sciences at the �Թ�� of Colorado Boulder. Lindley and Marguerite Stiles established the initiative in 1996 to promulgate the message that “The Best Should Teach.”

Dr. Khanal joins an elite group of dedicated scholars who demonstrate exceptional teaching and academic leadership, exemplifying award founders Lindley and Marguerite Stiles’ message, “The Best Should Teach.” Dr. Khanal is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the CU Boulder Department of Biochemistry.

Two students, including Callum Eager, nominated Dr. Khanal for the award and they noted:

The best teachers embrace the role they play in student’s lives, which is one that can be impactful to one’s personhood as well as academic growth. Dr. Khanal embraces genuine academic curiosity in his teaching style, setting an example for lifelong learning. For example, at the start of our discussion on reaction mechanisms, something he prefaced would be challenging, he showed us a brief video a colleague took of SN2 reactions happening in a cell as telomerase extended the telomeres of DNA. While not necessarily key to our success with the topic on a test, it ignited my excitement to see how this topic expands beyond o-chem. You could tell Dr. Khanal was equally passionate about showing these connections.

Taking small moments to include facts or connections about o-chem in medicine, biotech, etc. all make the class far more fruitful and complete. He maintains high standards but makes them all achievable in my opinion, something I’ve always valued in teachers. Finally, one can tell he genuinely cares about his students and wants us to become future lifelong academics who continue to remain curious, show consistency and dedication to our work, and enjoy learning for the privilege it is. Dr. Khanal has made me not only interested in o-chem but also more interested in every scientific discipline at play in the world around me, an often hard to achieve outcome of teaching.

All are welcome to join us in the �Թ��’s Auditorium in CASE for an award ceremony on Thursday, March 5.

Primary Invitees: CU faculty, graduate students, and K-12 teachers from local school districts

Awards Ceremony: 6 pm-7:30 pm

Reception: 7:30 pm to 9 pm

The Department of Biochemistry congratulates Dr. Khanal in receipt of this student nominated and faculty committee selected award!

�Թ�� "The Best Should Teach"

The Best Should Teach Initiative celebrates excellence in teaching at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. It supports the preparation of college and university faculty, as well as public school teachers, in their disciplinary fields. Best Should Teach Gold and Silver Awards are presented at the event each year. The Best Should Teach event and awards are co-funded by the Ira and Ineva Baldwin Fund in the CU Foundation and Brian Good's private Best Should Teach Fund, with additional support from the Center for Teaching & Learning, the School of Education, and the College of Arts and Sciences.

More Details on "The Best Should Teach"

Dr. Akhil Khanal, Teaching Assistant Professor, CU Boulder Department of Biochemistry

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