Noah Reynolds, associate professor of biology at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been named University Scholar for 2026. This prestigious award, the highest faculty honor from the University of Illinois System, recognizes outstanding teaching and scholarship. Only one faculty member receives the award annually at UIS.

“I am honored and extremely grateful to have been selected for the University Scholar award,” Reynolds said. “I have benefited immensely from the support of my colleagues and the exceptional students who have worked along with me in the laboratory.”

Reynolds joined UIS in 2018 and earned tenure and was promoted to associate professor in 2024. His research focuses on molecular microbiology, particularly the regulation of protein synthesis and how cells respond to errors in the process. His work uses yeast and bacteria to better understand molecular processes with potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.

A significant part of Reynolds’ scholarship involves mentoring students through hands-on research. He has mentored 37 students, including 26 UIS undergraduates, 11 Lincoln Land Community College students and four high school students. Their work has resulted in presentations at local, regional and international conferences, and Reynolds received UIS Research Faculty Mentor Awards in 2022 and 2023.

Reynolds has authored or co-authored 21 peer-reviewed research publications, including work published in Nucleic Acids Research, Journal of Biological Chemistry and IUBMB Life. He also incorporates his research into the classroom, where he has taught courses ranging from introductory biology and applied microbiology to cell biology and biochemistry. Reynolds received the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching in 2022.

Reynolds earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from UIS in 2001, a master’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2004 and a doctorate in microbiology from The Ohio State University in 2011. He completed postdoctoral research in molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale University before returning to UIS as a faculty member.

As University Scholar, Reynolds will receive $15,000 annually for three years to support his research and other scholarly activities. Faculty members are nominated by their peers, and a committee of senior faculty makes the final selection.