At Nebraska’s premiere biochemistry program, we develop the world’s next great scientists and researchers, right here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Biochemists are fascinated by the inner workings of cells, whether human, animal, plant, or microbe. We are passionate explorers who discover how macromolecules function in fundamental biological processes like growth, signalling, and metabolism.
We offer a rigorous and comprehensive program that prepares our students and postdoctoral fellows for future success. We feature award-winning professional advisers and incomparable mentorship opportunities that get students into the lab.
Our students work hand-in-hand with internationally recognized scholars and researchers on projects that pose exciting questions and solve real-world problems.
Our mission is to provide exemplary education and training in biochemistry that prepares our community for tomorrow's challenges in agriculture, bioenergy, biomaterials, and human health.
The Biochemistry Department pursues excellence by promoting the following Core Values:
- Research excellence, integrity, and collaboration
- Foundational and innovative education
- Quality mentoring, professional development, and training
- Science literacy through outreach and community engagement
- Culture of equity, inclusion, and diversity
Follow your curiosity, and make a real impact in the following areas:
- Structural and Chemical Basis of Protein Function
- Metabolism and Metabolic Engineering
- Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
- Plant and Microbial Biochemistry and Biotechnology
- Computational and Systems Biology
Awards for Excellence
The Department of Biochemistry faculty is doing compelling, innovative work. Their instruction, mentorship and successes are integral to turning students’ curiosity into fruitful results. We boast 24 highly accomplished full-time faculty and 3 affiliated faculty members in both education and research as evidenced by local, national, and international awards for excellence. Recognition includes:
- North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, with Certificates of Recognition for Contributions to Students, University-wide Outstanding Research and Creative Activity Awards
- Awards by the Sigma Xi for Excellence in Research
- Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Fellow of the American Society for Plant Physiology
- Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
- Education Fellow of the American Association for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Jefferson Science Fellow
Find out more about our people and their expertise...
Chair
Dr. Donald Becker is the Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Director of the Center for Biological Chemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Dr. Becker’s research involves studies of proline metabolism, redox enzymology, redox regulation of proteins and gene expression and substrate channeling in enzymes. The overall goal of his research is to understand how proline metabolism impacts cellular processes that are critical in human health and disease. Dr. Becker joined the UNL faculty in 2003 and is a Charles Bessey Professor of Biological Chemistry and a member of the Redox Biology Center. He also directs the NIH T32 Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Predoctoral Training Program.
N202 Beadle Center
402-472-9652
Academic Advisor
Dr. Erin Sayer is an Associate Professor of Practice and the Academic Advisor and Recruiter for Biochemistry working with the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) students and a subset of our Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources students. Dr. Sayer has been at the university since 2002. She spent over a decade as the Coordinator for Pre-Professional Advising and most recently was in the School of Biological Sciences before she joined Biochemistry.
N208 Beadle Center
402-472-9090
Academic Advisor
Taylor Bockman is an Academic Advisor for Biochemistry working with College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) students. Taylor has been at the university since May, 2016 and spent four years as a Recruitment Associate in the CASNR Dean’s Office before she joined Biochemistry at Nebraska.
60B Filley Hall - East Campus
402-472-7852