Blackwell recognized for cutting-edge research with STAR Award

By Caroline Cole
Department Communications

Helen Blackwell
Helen Blackwell

Helen Blackwell, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Chemistry, received the 2020 Cottrell Science Teaching and Research (STAR) Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) on March 3, 2020.

The award is gifted to the exceptional Cottrell Scholars at RCSA. Cottrell Scholars are science educators distinguished for their academic and research excellence. The recognition is named after Frederick Gardener Cottrell, who founded RCSA in 1912.

Blackwell, known for her work in the organic chemistry field, has been researching chemical signaling pathways in bacteria. These actions can enable behaviors that can impact human health, such as spreading deadly infections. Blackwell’s research addresses the global need for the interception in these processes so that the spread of infection is stopped in a timely manner.

“This award recognizes both my research and teaching- two parts of my life that mean a tremendous amount to me,” Blackwell said.

Blackwell’s innovation extends beyond her research, as she created a path to the Ph.D. in the UW-Madison’s Department of Chemistry in 2010. She also transformed one of the advanced undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory courses at UW-Madison.

To read more about Helen’s research click here>>