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Keating Family BIO5 Professor

Michael Johnson and Jennifer Barton stand with the Keating Family

The 2026 - 2027 Keating Family BIO5 Professor application is now live and 

will close May 8, 2026. 

Apply Now

About

The Keating Family Endowed Professor for Interdisciplinary Research at the BIO5 Institute (Keating Professorship or Keating Family BIO5 Professorship) is awarded to a BIO5 faculty member who exemplifies the characteristics of interdisciplinary biosciences research excellence, collegiality, spirit of mentorship and engagement, and strong communication skills promoted by the Institute. 

All members of BIO5, regardless of rank or classification, are eligible for nomination, including self-nominations. The Keating Family BIO5 Professorship is awarded for one year, starting on July 1st, with the final selection made by the BIO5 director. As this is a rotating professorship, future recipients will be selected through a nomination and committee process. The associated funds can be used to explore new research areas, purchase equipment, and support students.

Professorship Overview

  • All active BIO5 members from all ranks and classifications are eligible.
  • Self-nominations allowed 

  • Nominations include (a) nominee’s CV, (b) a personal statement (no more than one page), and (c) one letter of nomination written by a different BIO5 member.
    • The personal statement should describe the nominee’s interdisciplinary efforts, history and/or examples of their engagement with BIO5, and ideas for their growth through this Professorship.
    • The letter should include information about how the nominee exemplifies the characteristics of interdisciplinary biosciences research excellence, collegiality, spirit of mentorship and engagement, and strong communication skills.
  • All nominees will be reviewed by a committee of at least three active BIO5 members, typically including past recipients, providing the director of the BIO5 institute with comments and a recommendation.
    • Selection will be based on review of interdisciplinary biosciences research excellence, collegiality, spirit of mentorship and engagement, and strong communication skills.
  • The holder of the Professorship is selected annually at the discretion of the director of the BIO5 Institute.
  • The funds are subject to payout of the endowment and are targeted at $20,000 annually.
    • The holder will receive funds to support the research or professional development of themselves or any member of their laboratory.

The Keating Family Professor will be expected to: 

  • Participate in any events honoring the holder and recognizing the Keating Family as funders
  • Contribute to activities that support sharing the impact of BIO5 Institute with multiple stakeholder groups, including developing and supporting programs
  • Participate in a leadership development opportunity within the context of a BIO5 initiative or program
  • Participating in committees to nominate, evaluate, and recommend future Professorship holders to the BIO5 director

  • April: Call for nominations to all BIO5 members.
    • Self-nominations allowable for the Keating Professorship.
    • All active BIO5 members from all ranks and classifications are eligible.
    • Nomination include (a) nominee’s CV, (b) a personal statement (no more than one page), and (c) one letter of nomination written by a different BIO5 member.
  • May: Deadline for nominations.
  • May: Nominees are reviewed by a BIO5 committee.
    • All nominees will be reviewed by a committee of at least three active BIO5 members, typically including past recipients.
  • May: Comments due from BIO5 committee.
    • The committee will provide the BIO5 Director with their comments on each nominee, plus a rating of “highly recommended,” “recommended,” or “not recommended.”
  • May/June: Keating Professor selected.
    • The final choice will be made by the BIO5 director, who will contact the selected candidate to assure their willingness to accept the award and responsibilities.
  • July 1st: Keating Professor appointment begins.
  • Fall: Installation ceremony.

History

Created by former BIO5 Institute director Jennifer Barton and made possible by the Thomas W. Keating family starting in 2023, the Keating Family Endowed Professor for Interdisciplinary Research at the BIO5 Institute is awarded to a BIO5 member who exemplifies the characteristics of interdisciplinary biosciences research excellence, collegiality, spirit of mentorship and engagement, and strong communication skills promoted by the Institute. 

Establishing a distinguished professorship at the BIO5 Institute had long been a goal for Barton as a way of recognizing extraordinary faculty. With more than 350 BIO5 members across a wide variety of colleges at the U of A, these researchers work together to advance the pace of scientific discovery while developing and commercializing new devices, diagnostics, and treatments.  

Beyond their research, BIO5 members embody the ability to communicate the positive impact of their work to the community, government, industry, students, and fellow researchers.   

Barton wanted to formally recognize and support a BIO5 member who best exemplifies these values every day, while also recognizing the transformative contributions of Thomas Keating and his family.  

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