Streck Award Lecture
Recognizing leading scientists whose work in chemical biology is advancing medicine and improving human health.
The innovation that defines Streck began with an academic researcher whose discoveries in cellular stabilization would later transform liquid biopsy diagnostics. Streck Award Lecture winners share this commitment to groundbreaking science. They push boundaries in their fields, ask bold questions and develop technologies that have real impact on health care. What sets these scientists apart is their ability to translate fundamental discoveries into practical solutions that improve lives. Alumni have gone on to garner additional awards (including a Nobel Prize!), expand their laboratories and found successful companies, demonstrating that rigorous science and innovative vision can create lasting impact.
2026 Streck Lecture Award Winner
Matthew D. Disney, Ph.D.
Institute Professor and Chair, Department of Chemistry
The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology
Dr. Disney is recognized internationally for his work in RNA-targeted therapeutics, an emerging field with significant potential for precision medicine. His research focuses on designing small molecules that bind and degrade disease-causing RNAs, offering new treatment strategies for neuromuscular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, certain cancers and infectious diseases. His innovations include Inforna, a platform that identifies druggable RNA structures, and RIBOTACs, which use cellular machinery to eliminate harmful RNAs. These approaches have shown promise in preclinical models and are opening new avenues for drug development.
Dr. Disney’s work embodies what the Streck Award Lecture recognizes:
Scientific Innovation: Developing new strategies to target RNA, molecules once considered impossible to drug with small molecules
Translational Impact: Building platforms that connect laboratory discoveries with therapeutic applications
Research Leadership: Advancing the field of RNA-based medicine and training the next generation of scientists
Celebrating a Decade of Innovation
For 10 years, the Streck Award Lecture has recognized scientists who exemplify the highest standards in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry. These researchers have introduced technologies that reshaped their fields, and several have founded companies that brought their discoveries to market — proof that innovative science can drive both knowledge and economic impact.
2025
Neil Kelleher, Ph.D.
Walter and Mary E. Glass Professor of Molecular Biosciences; Professor of Chemistry, Weinberg College of Arts Sciences Professor of Medicine (Hematology & Oncology), Feinberg School of Medicine; Director, Northwestern Proteomics; Director, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University
2024
Samuel H. Gellman, Ph.D.
Irving Shain Chair of Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Vilas Research Professor, Ralph F. Hirschmann Professor of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin – Madison
2023
Suzanne Walker, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard University
2022
Alanna Schepartz, Ph.D.
T.Z. and Irmgard Chu Distinguished Chair in Chemistry, Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology Faculty Affiliate, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley
2021
Carolyn Bertozzi, Ph.D.
Baker Family Director of Sarafan ChEM-H, Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences and Professor, by courtesy, of Chemical and Systems Biology and of Radiology, Stanford University
Dr. Bertozzi received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022.
2019
Benjamin F. Cravatt, Ph.D.
Professor, Norton B. Gilula Chair in Biology and Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute
2018
Tom W. Muir, Ph.D.
Van Zandt Williams Jr. Class of 1965 Professor of Chemistry, Princeton University
2017
James A. Wells, Ph.D.
Harry Wm. and Diana V. Hind Distinguished Professorship in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco; Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSF
2016
Kevan M. Shokat, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, UCSF; Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
About
A partnership between Streck and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Chemistry, the Streck Award Lecture serves a dual purpose: recognizing groundbreaking work in chemical biology and connecting Nebraska’s scientific community with world-class researchers who inspire new ideas and collaborations.
The award was established through the vision and collaboration of two leaders:
Bradford A. Hunsley
Vice President of Research and Development, Streck
“The Streck Award Lecture honors those who take bold ideas and turn them into technologies that improve lives, and that’s something we’re proud to champion.”
Brad joined Streck in 1989 as one of the first full-time scientists in Research and Development. Under the tutelage of Streck’s founder, Dr. Wayne Ryan, Brad contributed to the discoveries in cell stabilization that established Streck as a leader in the field and serve as the foundation for Streck products to this day.
With more than two decades of experience in Research and Development, Brad has contributed to the creation of over 20 commercial product applications and is listed as an inventor on more than 15 granted patents. To share his extensive scientific knowledge and expertise in Streck processes, he transitioned into executive leadership in 2014. In 2020, Brad was appointed Vice President of Research and Development.
Brad earned his B.S. in biology from Midland College. He is a member of the ACS American Chemical Society and AACC American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
David Berkowitz
Elmer H. and Ruby M. Cordes Professor of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
“This award has been on the cutting edge of innovation in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry. Bringing world leaders here to Lincoln and Omaha who are shaping the future of science is what makes it so special.”
At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), Dr. Berkowitz leads an active research group engaged in science at the chemistry/biology interface. He is co-founder of the ND3P, a research superstructure designed to foster collaborative research between UNL in Lincoln and UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center) in Omaha.
In his role at the NSF, Dr. Berkowitz oversees MPS, the largest of eight directorates at the agency; MPS includes the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI); Astronomical Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences and Physics. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Sub-Committee on Quantum Information Science (SC-QIS) at the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OTSP) at The White House.
Dr. Berkowitz studied at the University of Chicago (B.S.-Phi Beta Kappa), Harvard/ETH-Zürich (Ph.D.), and Yale (Postdoctoral Research) and is an ACS Fellow (2024), an AAAS Fellow (2015), a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellow (2008), and an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (1997).
