Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Neena Grover is being recognized by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) for being a leader in her field. Grover has received the organization’s William C. Rose Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education through teaching and supporting emerging scientists.

Grover's Lab at CC studies the role of sequence on small RNA motif stability. She and her students are particularly interested in the interactions between RNA and metal ions. Grover is a founding member of the ASBMB Undergraduate Student Chapters program and serves as the adviser for the K-12 science outreach program at CC.

“It’s a true honor to be recognized by the national society,” said Grover. “None of us achieves this alone; we’re supported by our communities – students, fellow faculty (both at CC and nationally), staff, and family. I’m incredibly grateful to be teaching at CC, where the Block Plan and our amazing students create an environment that makes experimenting with teaching and learning so rewarding.”

Grover is also a former member of the ASBMB steering committee that designed, created, and developed course materials and assessment tools to teach the core concepts in biochemistry and molecular biology effectively and consistently. She has also organized workshops and interest groups at the ASBMB annual meetings focused on education and research at primarily undergraduate institutions. She will present a lecture entitled “Embracing collaborations: Loving what we do and doing what we love” at the society’s 2025 annual meeting slated for April 12–15 in Chicago.

In addition to cash prizes ranging from $2,000 to $35,000, each awardee will receive a plaque and transportation expenses to the annual meeting.