Ben Koleske awarded 2019 Sigler Prize

Ben Koleske, 2019 Sigler Prize recipient
July 5, 2019

Congratulations to Ben Koleske who is the 2019 recipient of the Sigler Prize! The Sigler Prize is awarded to a graduating Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry major who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship and research.  Ben distinguished himself in class, as collaborator, as a supporter of his peers and as an independent researcher.

Ben was notable in his proactive interest in biophysical and biochemical course material. Not content to enjoy these pursuits on his own, Ben served as a peer tutor in MB&B 300a for two years. In person, and online, Ben’s efforts as peer tutor drew praise from many. His online contributions were particularly noted for being thoughtful in scope, precision and clarity. 

Ben conducted his research in Professor Dan DiMaio’s laboratory. There, he worked on engineered transmembrane oncoproteins that work by modulating naturally occurring transmembrane protein targets. Ben made a fundamental discovery that opened up a new area in our understanding of transmembrane protein function.  Namely, that signal sequences can play a role in modulation of function, and not simply serve to direct protein localization.