Postdoctoral scholar Roman Barth, PhD, has received a 2025 Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award for his doctoral research on the mechanics of genome folding! He joins nine others scholars recognized for their exceptional achievements in the biological sciences.

Roman’s work helped solved a long-standing mystery in cell biology: how specialized molecular machines called SMC motor proteins can organize DNA within the cramped, obstacle-filled confines of a cell nucleus. Through single-molecule experiments, he overturned decades of assumptions about how these molecular motors function and established a unified framework for understanding how molecular motors keep genomes tidy throughout the tree of life.

The implications of this research extend beyond basic science — it provides crucial insights for developing treatments for diseases linked to faulty genome organization, including cancer and developmental disorders.

As a Baker Lab postdoc, Roman is now seeking to create brand new molecular motors. Building on his knowledge of how nature’s biomachines operate, Roman is pioneering potential treatments for protein aggregation diseases.

The Weintraub Award, presented by the Fred Hutch Cancer Center and named for molecular biology pioneer Dr. Harold “Hal” Weintraub, recognizes outstanding achievement in graduate research in the biological sciences. This award, given to 351 graduate students since 2000, honors Dr. Weintraub’s legacy of scientific excellence and mentorship. Learn more at fredhutch.org.