Zhou Earns Dual Honors For Interdisciplinary Research

Scialog Fellowship

Zhou was among approximately 50 early-career scientists selected for the Neurobiology and Changing Ecosystems (NCE) Scialog Fellowship, awarded through the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.

• Fellows will explore how neural systems adapt to human-caused environmental changes including pollution, toxins and unpredictable environments.
• The three-year program's 2026 meeting takes place March 12–15, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona.
• The program brings together experts from neuroscience, biology, physiology, genetics, climate science, chemistry, physics, engineering and other fields.

Biophysical Society Travel Award

Zhou also received an Early Career Travel Award from the Biophysical Society to attend the 2026 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, themed “Biophysics by the Bay.”

• The meeting will highlight advances in science and technology brought forth by big data and AI.
• The program features symposia ranging from intrinsically disordered proteins to emerging frontiers in immunity, cancer and protein design.

“The BPS travel award allows me to share my group's latest research with leading experts in the biophysics community. As we develop novel biophysical tools leveraging innovations in polymers and optics, this award also gives me the opportunity to connect with potential collaborators who might be interested in using our tools.” — Assistant Professor Yuecheng "Peter" Zhou

Illinois Grainger Engineering Affiliations

Yuecheng "Peter" Zhou is an Illinois Grainger Engineering assistant professor of Materials Science and Engineering and is affiliated with the Department of Bioengineering, Materials Research Laboratory and the Beckman Institute.