We are excited to announce that Noah Lancaster is the inaugural recipient of the Dahlberg-Klessig Distinguished Fellowship in Biomolecular Chemistry.
Noah Lancaster is currently a Chemistry PhD student in Dr. Josh Coon’s lab. 
Growing up in rural North Carolina, Noah fell in love with the beauty of the natural world from a young age. While attending the University of North Carolina, he began learning how to conduct scientific research and was especially curious as to how we can measure chemicals to learn about the world. In his graduate research, he focuses on developing mass spectrometry methodologies to improve proteome analysis. For Noah, focusing on the fundamental features of how analytical tools work enables creativity in solving scientific problems. In graduate school, he has been especially grateful to learn from world-leading experts in mass spectrometry and proteomics and to collaborate with excellent scientists in different areas.
Dr. Jim Dahlberg is an emeritus professor in the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry. He began his celebrated career in the Department in 1969 carrying out
cutting edge research focused on DNA and RNA structures and functions. Dr. Dahlberg served as a Trustee of the Morgridge Institute for Research at the UW and in 2012-2013 was Interim CEO of that institute. He was elected as a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and is a fellow of the European Molecular Biology Organization and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He authored over 150 research publications, was co-inventor of several dozen patents, and co-founder of two publicly traded biotechnology companies. He was recently recognized with the Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Award.
Dr. Dan Klessig is a Wisconsin native, who started his stellar research career in 
the laboratory of Dr. Dahlberg as an undergraduate biochemistry major. In addition to their mentor/mentee relationship, Dan and Jim became close friends and colleagues over their careers. With inspiration and assistance from Jim, Dan went on to become a highly accomplished scientist and academic leader. He recently retired as emeritus professor and former president of the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, leaving a legacy as a passionate scientist, an innovative leader and an inspiring mentor.
Together, Dr. Klessig and Dahlberg decided to recognize the importance of a successful Mentor/Mentee relationship by becoming major supporters of the Dahlberg-Klessig Distinguished Graduate Fellowship in Biomolecular Chemistry. The department faculty and staff also made significant donations.
The fellowship will be awarded on an annual basis to a dissertator PhD student, who is obtaining a PhD in the lab of a Department faculty member and who has displayed creativity, curiosity, collegiality and perseverance in pursuit of their PhD thesis research. The award will provide $3,000 directly to the student to defray educational expenses and $20,000 will be used to defray the cost of stipend, tuition remission and fringe benefits for the student for one year.
We expect next year’s competition to take place in Spring of 2025.