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Scientists from the Walsh Lab have uncovered new details about how poxvirus hijacks its host’s protein synthesis machinery to multiply and spread, according to a study published in Nature Microbiology.
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The Parisiadou Lab has identified the molecular mechanisms that cause a commonly prescribed antipsychotic drug to produce harmful side effects similar to Parkinson’s disease symptoms, per findings published in Molecular Psychiatry.
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In an effort to uphold its commitment to transparency and public trust, the National Institutes of Health has accelerated its implementation of its revised Public Access Policy, which will take effect July 1.
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Wilton Snead, PhD, joined Feinberg as an assistant professor of Cell and Developmental Biology in May 2025. Snead investigates how cells sort and transport messenger RNA (mRNA) to precise subcellular locations, focusing on the role of biomolecular condensates in mediating mRNA localization. His lab integrates quantitative microscopy, biophysics and biochemical reconstitution to uncover how disruptions in this process contribute to diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. As a PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin, Snead developed tools to study protein-membrane interactions and discovered two mechanisms of membrane remodeling during endocytosis, earning an NIH F31 fellowship. He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, where he uncovered cellular mechanisms that control biomolecular condensation and secured NIH F32 and K99 awards for his work.
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Lillian Eichner, PhD, assistant professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, was recognized during the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in Chicago, where she received the Early Career Researcher of the Year Award for her excellence in research, leadership and community impact.
Al George, Jr., MD, chair and the Alfred Newton Richards Professor of Pharmacology, was recognized during Feinberg’s Honors Day on May 16 with the George H. Joost Teaching Award, which honors exceptional teaching in a large-group setting during the medical students' M1 year.
Ali Shilatifard, PhD, the Robert Francis Furchgott Professor and chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Read the story.
Feng Yue, PhD, the Duane and Susan Burnham Professor of Molecular Medicine and professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and of Pathology, was elected to the 2025 American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows. Read the story. Yue was also the recipient of the Mark Brothers Award, presented by Indiana University School of Medicine.
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Three Faculty Appointed as Endowed Professors
Three faculty members were recently appointed with endowed professorships – one of the highest honors bestowed on our faculty – and will be formally recognized at a group investiture ceremony in the fall:
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SciENcv Pause
The NIH has postponed the implementation date for SciENcv, the online profile system for researchers involved with federal research funding, specifically for the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support. The previously scheduled date of May 25, 2025, has been delayed, and a new date has not yet been announced. This means NIH applicants should continue to use the current NIH Biosketch and Other Support format pages for applications, JIT reports, and RPPRs.
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Research Security Training via myHR Learn
The federal government now requires research security training, based on guidance from President Trump’s National Security Presidential Memo-33 (2021) and the CHIPs and Science Act (2022). Researchers have two training options to fulfill this requirement:
- A one-hour, Northwestern-developed training that meets specific criteria, or
- A four-hour course developed by the NSF.
To minimize administrative burden, Northwestern’s Research Security team has created the one-hour NU-training available here.
This training is currently required for all DOE applications and will be required by other federal agencies in the future.
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New Funding Exception Request Process
Per Dr. Rex Chisholm’s message on May 19, new interim research funding guidance is in place, intended to address research impacted by funding freezes. This guidance applies to qualifying federally funded projects that:
- Have not passed their end date and are under a stop-work order,
- Are pending a notice of non-competing renewal for the next year, or
- Are not currently receiving reimbursement from the federal government (which includes all NIH funding at this time).
To request an exception for an unallowable expense, PIs must use Feinberg’s Research Transaction Exception Request Form. Click on the link to access, complete and submit the form. Requests will be reviewed by the Dean’s Administration, and only submissions through the form will be considered.
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Updated Bridge Funding Request Process
In certain circumstances, where PIs have received a fundable score on a grant proposal but are awaiting a new notice of grant award, limited support for research expenses and existing staff may be available. If awarded, bridge funding will be reviewed monthly.
Bridge funding requests must be endorsed by the relevant department chairs and submitted using the Temporary Bridge Funding Request Form. Individual PIs should work with their Research Administrator to compile the required financial data, proposal submission status and essential resource needs.
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Delays in Expense Reimbursements and Procurement Purchases Over $25k
Due to staffing shortages in ASRSP and Northwestern Accounts Payable, we are currently experiencing significant delays in processing expense reimbursements and procurement purchases over $25K. Please note that all expenses exceeding $25K now require CFO approval, which adds to the overall requisition timeline.
To help mitigate delays:
- Submit orders over $25K as early as possible.
- For travel, consider using Key Travel and charging expenses directly to the chartstring.
- Expense reports may auto-return after 30 days in workflow. If this occurs, save a screenshot of prior approvals, reattach it upon resubmission, and include a note indicating the approval level reached.
For urgent matters or questions, please reach out directly to Alice Camacho.
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Lab Website Updates: New Policy Requirements
Feinberg’s updated Web Development Policy (effective June 2, 2025) introduces key changes affecting lab websites:
- Cascade-hosted sites must be updated at least once annually. Sites considered "orphaned or outdated" may be taken down at the discretion of the Feinberg Web Team following a remediation period (see Section V).
- NUsites and third-party platforms (e.g., Squarespace, Weebly) are no longer recommended — Feinberg IT and the Office of Communications will not approve or support new sites built on either NUsites or third-party platforms.
- Legacy third-party sites do not need to be phased out immediately, but those hosted on outdated Feinberg or Northwestern servers may be removed or migrated to Cascade if they pose imminent security or maintenance risks.
To ask questions or plan a transition to Cascade, contact BSA communications specialist Yesenia Navarro.
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19th Annual Lewis Landsberg Research Day
Abstract Submissions Open July 24 - August 7
Mark your calendar to submit an abstract for Feinberg's annual Research Day. The submission portal will open on July 24. Submissions will be accepted until August 7 at midnight, or until capacity is reached. An email will soon be sent out by the Research Day Planning Committee with the link to submit.
Only one submission per presenter will be accepted.
Research Day will be held on Thursday, September 11. For more information about the event and abstract guidelines, please visit the Research Day website.
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iMentor Off-to-College Supply Drive
Help support the Class of 2025 who are headed off to college this fall by donating to iMentor Chicago's "Trunk Full of Possibilities" Drive.
Scan the QR code or click the link below for students' college wish list. Purchase in the wish list to have items sent directly to iMentor Chicago.
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