Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 11, 2008|Volume 36, Number 25

Scott A. Strobel

Scott Strobel wins prestigious award for his multidisciplinary research on RNA

Scott A. Strobel, professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, has been awarded the prestigious Schering-Plough Research Institute Award.

The award is given by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to recognize outstanding scientific contributions made by young researchers early in their careers.

Strobel gave the award lecture, titled “Three Views of RNA Catalysis: Ribozymes, Ribosomes and Riboswitches,” at the society’s annual meeting in San Diego on April 6.

Strobel is a leader at the interface between chemical and structural biology and is an expert on the function of RNA. His lab uses insights from several disciplines, including biochemistry and molecular biology, and employs such technologies as organic synthesis and X-ray crystallography to study reactions catalyzed by RNA. Many scientists now use techniques that he developed to study RNA activity.

“Scott Strobel has made seminal contributions to our understanding of the structure and functions of RNA in nature,” said Provost Andrew D. Hamilton. “He has provided not only detailed mechanistic insights into the chemistry of RNA but has revealed the beauty in the complexity of its catalytic role.”

Strobel has been at Yale for the past 12 years and has served as chair of the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry for the past two years. Prior to coming to Yale, Strobel did his postdoctoral work with Nobel Prize winner Thomas R. Cech at the University of Colorado.

With the support of a $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Strobel has designed an innovative new course to engage students in science and to “give them control of scientific decisions and inspire them to see science as something they can do.” As part of the course, students travel to the rainforest to search for plants and analyze endophytes for novel biological chemicals.

Strobel says the support of organizations such as the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is crucial for the development of professional scientists.

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