Tom Cech

In 1989, Distinguished Professor Tom Cech became the first CU Boulder faculty member to receive the Nobel Prize. His Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for his discovery that RNA can act as a biological catalyst, not just a carrier of genetic information. This breakthrough reshaped molecular biology and opened new frontiers in genetic research. A faculty member since 1978, Cech also served as president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2000–2009) and as founding director of CU Boulder’s BioFrontiers Institute (2009–2020). His work continues to influence generations of scientists and students.

Source: BioFrontiers Institute