Academia Europaea Recognizes Gene Yeo with the Inaugural Sydney Brenner Medal

Congratulations, Professor Yeo!

November 15, 2023

Gene Yeo, PhD, MBA, professor of cellular and molecular medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine, has been awarded the Sydney Brenner Medal from the Academia Europaea. The inaugural recipient of the medal, Yeo is an expert in the fields of biology, genomics and therapeutics and is a recognized leader in computational and experimental approaches to understanding how RNA processes work in development and disease.

Academia Europaea, Europe’s academy of sciences, humanities and letters, is focused on expanding scholarship and excellence in all areas of natural and technological sciences across the globe for public benefit and the advancement of education. The academy’s Sydney Brenner Medal was established in 2022 to honor scholars in molecular biology and related fields. Nominees were evaluated on their international standing; achievements and contributions to the field of molecular biology and related disciplines; and impact and mentorship of early career scientists. Yeo was honored at the academy’s annual conference in Munich in October.

Joining UC San Diego School of Medicine in 2008, Yeo’s research program examines how RNA binding proteins (RBPs) control the regulatory networks in development and neurodegeneration, specifically looking at how RBPs and their regulated RNA targets are necessary for the survival and function of pluripotent stem cells and the central nervous system. His work has led to advancements in understanding several neurodegenerative diseases including myotonic dystrophy, Huntington's disease and ALS. Yeo’s research has resulted in more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, including invited book chapters and review articles in the areas of neurodegeneration, RNA processing, computational biology and stem cell models.

Yeo is an editorial board member of the journals Cell Reports and Cell Research. He is also the founding director of the Center for RNA Technologies and Therapeutics at UC San Diego and is the co-founder of several biotechnology companies including Locana, Eclipse Bioinnovations, Enzerna and Proteona.