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MCB Student Natalie Rawlings Earns National Recognition, Founds Undergraduate Journal Club

Jan. 23, 2026
MCB undergraduate students gathered around a conference table in a modern classroom setting during a journal club meeting. A student stands at the head of the table presenting scientific figures displayed on a screen showing microscopy images, while other students listen and take notes on laptops and tablets.

Natalie Rawlings, center, leads a discussion in the undergraduate journal club she founded within the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Courtesy Natalie Rawlings

Natalie Rawlings, a senior pursuing dual degrees in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Biochemistry in the Franke Honors College, exemplifies undergraduate research excellence in MCB. Working in Professor Andrew Capaldi's lab, she studies TORC1/mTOR signaling pathways in yeast to identify potential drug targets for cancer and epilepsy. Beyond her research contributions, Rawlings founded the MCB undergraduate journal club in 2024 to build scientific literacy and communication skills among peers, helping other students develop confidence in research. Her achievements have earned national recognition as both a Goldwater Scholar and an Astronaut Scholar. Graduating this May, Rawlings will pursue an MD-PhD to become a physician-scientist, building on the strong foundation she established through MCB research and mentorship.

Read the full story here.