Many proteins and nucleic acids can self-assemble into condensates with diverse material properties. Yet the breadth and implications of this behavior remain elusive across the lifespan. Aberrations in assembly properties can drive the spread of disease pathology within and, in extreme cases, between individuals. Yet how self-assembly differs in youth, age, and disease remains poorly understood, especially in vertebrates. Using ligand-controllable degrons, we created a versatile reporter system to quantify self-assembly and its transmissibility on a proteome-wide scale. Remarkably, both properties were widespread across all domains of life. In the human proteome, self-assembly was strongly enriched among proteins pivotal for early development, stress responses, and intercellular communication. Disease-associated mutations, particularly those linked to neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, frequently altered condensation and templating behaviors, suggesting a direct link to pathogenesis. Using both machine learning and biochemical reconstitution, we leveraged this large dataset to identify new molecular determinants of protein self-assembly into liquids, gels, and solids, as well as their capacity for prion-like templating over long biological timescales. Finally, employing the African turquoise killifish – a model vertebrate with a compressed lifespan – we extended our proteomic analysis to reveal parallels in aging tissues. With advancing age, the prion-like assembly of specific proteins increased substantially. In the same aged tissues, the molecular chaperones that act on these proteins also aggregated concomitantly, highlighting a negative feedback loop that may further impair proteostasis and intensify aggregation. Indeed, a segmental progeria model exhibited increased aggregation only in tissues with signatures of accelerated aging. Collectively, these lines of evidence establish that protein self-assembly and self-templating are far more common in vertebrate proteomes than previously appreciated and suggest that their advantages in youth may be inseparable from costs in aging and disease.
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The College of Sciences has named eight alumni as recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing those who have made a lasting impact in their professions, communities, and the world.
“This year’s honorees are incredible trailblazers who have built remarkable careers, demonstrated exceptional leadership, and continue to inspire those who follow in their footsteps,” says Susan Lozier, dean and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair of the College of Sciences and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “It is a privilege to recognize these extraordinary individuals and celebrate the many ways they reflect the strength and spirit of the College of Sciences.”
Honorees will be recognized at the second annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel.
Recognition categories include the Distinguished Alumni Awards, honoring one graduate from each school; the Distinguished Young Scientist Award, recognizing early-career excellence; and the College of Sciences Impact Award, honoring transformative contributions to the College’s mission and future.
“The large response to our call for nominations was a powerful reminder of how deeply our alumni contribute to their fields and communities,” says Director of Alumni Relations Leslie Roberts. “We are excited to recognize this year’s amazing honorees and celebrate the lasting influence they have had both within and beyond Georgia Tech.”
2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Tia Williams
B.S. Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 1996
School of Biological Sciences
Fred Levin, M.D.
B.S. Applied Biology 1972
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Belma Erdogan-Haug, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Chemistry 2003
School of Mathematics
Clemmie Whatley, Ph.D.
M.S. Applied Mathematics 1973
School of Physics
Gilbert (Gil) Amelio, Ph.D.
B.S. Physics 1965, M.S. Physics 1967, Ph.D. Physics 1969
School of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Tara Stoinski, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Psychology 2000
Distinguished Young Scientist Award Recipient
Austin Hope
B.S. Psychology 2014
College of Sciences Impact Award Recipient
Jeffrey Leddy
B.S. Physics 1978
This fall, Emily Weigel (Biology 2010) returned to the G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Scholars Program to serve as a faculty guide for the next generation of scholars. Weigel was one of the inaugural recipients of the scholarship when she was an undergraduate at the Institute.
The Tech Promise Scholarship, founded in 2007, makes it possible for Georgia students with family incomes below $55,500 to earn a debt-free degree from Georgia Tech. Weigel’s appointment as a faculty guide on the eve of the program’s 20th anniversary marks the first time a recipient of the scholarship has returned to the program in a mentorship capacity.
For Weigel, a senior academic professional in Georgia Tech’s School of Biological Sciences, the position is a full-circle moment:
Nobody gets to Tech by accident, but I know that for students who come from backgrounds similar to mine that it might not always feel that way. I’ve been keeping an eye out for this opportunity because I truly think it makes all the difference to have a broad support system and people who get where these students are coming.
Join us for an insider's guide to getting hired at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), one of the nation's leading applied research and development organizations.
Designed for College of Sciences undergraduate and graduate students, this Lunch & Learn will provide practical guidance on:
- Building a competitive application
- Standing out to GTRI recruiters
- Preparing for GTRI interviews
- Understanding and navigating GTRI’s hiring process
Bring your questions, enjoy lunch, and leave with a practical insight for navigating the GTRI hiring process.
Lunch & Learn: How to Get Hired at GTRI
Thursday, Sept. 3
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Rafael Bras Meeting Room, John Lewis Student Center
Lunch will be provided.
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Join College of Sciences students for a fireside chat featuring Georgia Tech alumni who have built successful careers at The Coca-Cola Company.
Learn about their career journeys, how they prepared for internships and full-time opportunities, and their advice for standing out as a Georgia Tech sciences student.
Whether you're exploring career options or preparing for your next internship or full-time role, this event offers an opportunity to ask questions, make connections, and hear directly from alumni who have successfully navigated the path.
Following the discussion, enjoy dinner while networking with alumni and fellow students.
College of Sciences Students and Alumni Fireside Chat (The Coca-Cola Company)
Sept. 23, 2026
6 – 8 p.m.
Cypress Theater, John Lewis Student Success Center
Dinner will be served.
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Join College of Sciences students for a fireside chat featuring Georgia Tech alumni who have built successful careers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Google, and Home Depot.
Learn about their career journeys, how they prepared for internships and full-time opportunities, and their advice for standing out as a Georgia Tech sciences student.
Whether you're exploring career options or preparing for your next internship or full-time role, this event offers an opportunity to ask questions, make connections, and hear directly from alumni who have successfully navigated the path.
Following the discussion, enjoy dinner while networking with alumni and fellow students.
College of Sciences Students and Alumni Fireside Chat (CDC, Google, and Home Depot)
Sept. 9, 2026
6 - 8 p.m.
Cypress Theater, John Lewis Student Center
Dinner will be served.
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SCENE is the College of Sciences' signature employer networking event, connecting students with employers across industry, government, healthcare, research, and technology.
Meet recruiters and hiring managers; explore internships, co-ops, research experiences, and full-time opportunities; and build meaningful professional connections with organizations seeking Georgia Tech talent.
College of Sciences Students-Careers-Employers Networking Expo (SCENE)
Oct. 7, 2026
3 – 7:00 p.m.
Georgia Tech Exhibition Hall
Business casual attire is encouraged.
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Networking is more than exchanging contact information. It is about knowing how to enter a conversation, create a connection, and communicate the value you bring.
Led by James Stringfellow, Career Education Program Manager for the College of Sciences, this interactive workshop will demystify networking and give you practical strategies you can use immediately.
Participants will learn how to:
- Start professional conversations with confidence
- Ask questions that create meaningful conversations
- Keep conversations flowing naturally
- Communicate your transferable skills effectively
- Describe your experiences in ways that demonstrate value to employers
- Approach networking as relationship-building rather than simply asking for a job
Come ready to participate, practice, and rethink what networking can look like for you.
Career Conversations: The Psychology of Networking
Sept. 10, 2026
11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
JS Coon Building, Room 250
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