At the annual College Connect Academic Year Kick-Off Event, the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics was recognized for its outstanding faculty and staff achievements, including new hires, recent promotions, and several award winners.

New Faculty:

Dr. Bo Zhou

Dr. Mingyuan Zhu

Dr. Gargi Sivaram

Dr. Pedro Monagas-Valentin

Promotions

Dr. Junjie Zhang — promoted to Professor

Dr. Miok Lee — promoted to Senior Lecturer

Awardees

Dr. Jean-Philippe Pellois — Association of Former Students Award in Teaching

and the Dean's Outstanding Achievement Awards to

Awardees

Dr. Jean-Philippe Pellois — Association of Former Students Award in Teaching

and the Dean's Outstanding Achievement Awards to

Dr. Mary Bryk — Service Award in Administration

Ms. Brianna Martin — Graduate Student Teaching Award

We are incredibly proud of these colleagues for their accomplishments and for representing the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

( Picture from L to R) Jeffrey W. Savell Ph.D., Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences and Mary Bryk Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Associate Professor, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Genetics.

Pictured: Ms. Brianna Martin Ph. D candidate in Dr. Straight's lab.

Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Patricia Klein, Ph.D., executive associate dean for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Dr. Jean-Phillipe Pellois, associate head for research at the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Kim Dooley, Ph.D., professor and associate dean for faculty affairs and Marty Holmes, vice president for marketing and programs at The Association of Former Students on Thursday, Aug 21, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Chris Swann/Texas A&M AgriLife)