THINC News
Dr. Steven Boeynams receives NIH Director's New Innovator Award
October 8, 2024 - Dr. Steven Boeynams, THINC faculty and assistant professor of molecular and human genetics, was awarded the NIH Director's New Innovator Award to study how neuropathology mimics infectious disease and how the innate immune system responds. As part of the High-Risk, High-Reward program, the award supports early career investigators of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative research projects with the potential to produce a major impact.
Successful First Annual THINC Retreat Held at Dynamic One in Helix Park
September 17, 2024 – THINC faculty, trainees and staff gathered to share recent work and new ideas in our first annual retreat. The event took place in our soon-to-be new home in Helix Park.
Congratulations to Ritwaka Bose, Joe Zoeller and Sophie Taylor for winning best talk awards and Josh Meehan, Kelsey Haggerty and Aishwarya Rajurkar for winning best poster awards!
Dr. Trey Westbrook and colleagues publish new work in Cancer Discovery
August 28, 2024 – Dr. Trey Westbrook, Executive Director of THINC and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, and Dr. Jitendra Meena published their work discovering RNA catabolic stress and mechanisms to therapeutically leverage this stress in Myc driven breast cancer. Check out their work in Cancer Discovery!
Dr. Furqan Fazal receives NIH/NIGMS Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award
August 1, 2024 – Dr. Furqan Fazal, THINC faculty and assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology, received an R35 Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) to fund his research into the role of cytoskeletal motor proteins in RNA localization. Congratulations!
Dr. Damian Young receives Welch Catalyst for Discovery Grant
August 1, 2024 - Dr. Damian Young, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology and THINC Scientific Founder, has received a $5 million Catalyst for Discovery Program Grant from the Welch Foundation to further develop the science of DNA-Encoded Libraries (DELs) to generate small molecules that can potentially treat a wide spectrum of diseases.
Dr. Jeffrey Rosen receives the 2024 Arthur L. Beaudet Outstanding Mentorship Award
July 16, 2024 - Dr. Jeffrey Rosen, Distinguished Service Professor in Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and THINC member, has been awarded the 2024 Arthur L. Beaudet Outstanding Mentorship Award, an award that recognizes mentorship at all levels.
Dr. Jeremy Wilusz publishes outlook on MALAT1
May 21, 2024 – Drs. Jeremy Wilusz, THINC faculty and associate professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology, and Dr. Brad Wright publish a review highlighting how Malat1 can traffic to the cytoplasm and be translated in cultured mouse neurons. Read about this exciting topic in Genes & Development!
Drs. Steven Boeynams and Furqan Fazal receive Welch Foundation grants
April 1, 2024 – Dr. Steven Boeynams, THINC faculty and assistant professor of molecular and human genetic, and Dr. Furqan Fazal, THINC faculty and assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology, received a Welch Foundation research grant for their respective research on the biochemical underpinnings of innate immune activation in disease and RNA localization.
Congratulations!
Dr. Furqan Fazal publishes review in RNA
March 6, 2024 – Dr. Furqan Fazal, THINC faculty and assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology, and Dr. Surbhi Sharma published a review covering the mechanisms and functions of localization of RNA to the mitochondria. Read about this interesting topic in RNA!
Dr. Margaret Goodell elected to the AACR 2024 Class of Fellows
Dr. Margaret Goodell elected to the AACR 2024 Class of Fellows January 12, 2024 - Dr. Margaret A. Goodell, professor and chair of molecular and cellular biology and Vivian L. Smith Chair in Regenerative Medicine and THINC member, was elected to the 2024 Class of Fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research Academy. The mission of the AACR Academy is to recognize and honor distinguished scientists whose scientific contributions have propelled significant innovation and progress against cancer.
Dr. Tony Mustoe publishes RNA secondary structure review
January 3, 2024 – Dr. Tony Mustoe, THINC faculty member and assistant professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, and team members Ritwika Bose and Irfana Saleem published a comprehensive review of the roles of RNA secondary structure in the normal RNA life cycle and how its dysregulation contributes to disease. Read about this exciting topic in Cell Chemical Biology.