The Biophysical Society recently awarded the 2026 Subgroup Awards at the Society’s 70th Annual Meeting, held in San Francisco, California from February 21-25, 2026. These awards recognize the research of members in specialized research Subgroups. 20 awards are given each year to researchers around the world.
The Motility & Cytoskeleton Subgroup Early Career Award was given to MCDB Assistant Professor Morgan DeSantis for "outstanding scientific accomplishment in the early stages of independence."
DeSantis' research is focused on understanding how microtubule-associated motor proteins work. These fascinating proteins transport all kinds of cellular cargo including organelles, mRNA, viruses, and protein aggregates. Because the interior of cells is so crowded, diffusion is an unreliable mechanism for cargo movement. Motor proteins overcome the diffusion barrier by coupling ATP hydrolysis with force-generating movement that drives the motors to walk along microtubules, transporting bound cargo with them as they walk. The entire process is highly regulated and essential, evidenced by the fact that a number of human diseases are caused by or associated with impaired motor protein function. Our lab aims to understand how motor proteins assemble, how they function, and the mechanisms of regulation that dictate how and when they interact with cargos.
The Biophysical Society, founded in 1958, is a professional, scientific society established to lead an innovative global community working at the interface of the physical and life sciences, across all levels of complexity, and to foster the dissemination of that knowledge. The Society promotes growth in this expanding field through its Annual Meeting, publications, and outreach activities. Its 6,500 members are located throughout the world, where they teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, laboratories, government agencies, and industry.
