News

Genetics, development and cell biology faculty served as mentors to three undergraduate students who each received an LAS High Impact Research Experience Award over summer 2026.

Three faculty in the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB) and one affiliated with GDCB are among the recipients of Iowa State University's most distinguished awards.

Joshua Strable, assistant professor in the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, received $1,035,762 from the National Science Foundation Plant Genome Research Program to investigate fundamental questions in plant biology concerni

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) recently featured genetics alumna Melissa Draves, '22, on its Career Services page. Visit the CALS Career Services page to learn more about the Young Alum of the Month: Melissa Draves.

An Iowa State University-led research team identified two essential components — a pervasive protein and a crucial cellular signaling pathway — needed to make some types of blood cells, a discovery that could lead to a new treatment for leukemia.

August 25
Speaker: Brian Kvitko — University of Georgia
Topic: Peeling back the layers of thiosulfate resistance in onion-pathogenic bacteria

Wes Wierson, genetics, development and cell biology alum, and his team at LEAH Labs have successfully put pet dogs with lymphoma into remission with a pioneering cell therapy. 

In her first year at Iowa State, Yingjia (Nina) Huang (’29 biology) quickly learned how to use a Nobel Prize-winning gene-editing technique she had only seen in textbooks.

Many Iowa State alumni trace their family’s Cyclone legacy back generations. Nearly 21% of Iowa State students have a different story, and are instead working to establish a new family legacy as first-generation students.

Effective June 1, Carly Manz of the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB) accepted the role of interim director of the interdepartmental Biology and Genetics Programs for a three-year period.

Dior Kelley, genetics, development and cell biology associate professor, recently received the 2026 American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) Excellence in Education Award.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recognizes the exceptional achievements of its faculty and staff.

Yanhai Yin, genetics, development and cell biology (GDCB) chair and professor, was named a 2025 Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher. 

Ella McGrath, an undergraduate student for the past three years in the lab of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Associate Professor Dior Kelley, received a 2026 Fulbright Internship. 

University leaders shared the names of 68 Iowa State faculty and staff — 61 individuals and two teams —who are receiving a 2026 university award, the highest recognitions available to employees.

The Iowa Board of Regents recently approved the promotions of three genetics, development and cell biology (GDCB) faculty. The Regents approved a total of 46 tenured faculty and 36 term faculty promotions. 

The latest story in the 2026 Innovation at Work series includes Karri Haen Whitmer, teaching professor and associate chair of genetics, development and cell biology, and associate director of integrated health sciences. 

The office of the senior vice president and provost has announced $2.4 million in funding across two years for 24 transformative initiatives to support new academic programs, student success and career readiness, and build additional capacity in a

Iowa State University undergraduate student Ella McGrath is one of 12 students who received a newly funded scholarship this semester, the Wentz-Griswold Agricultural Undergraduate Research Scholars Award.