The Department is delighted to recognize Aden Tewodros as an awardee of the 2026 Thomas J. Byers Scholarship.

Aden is a Molecular Genetics major in Helen Chamberlin's lab which studies the molecular processes underlying organogenesis. Aden earned this award for her research on the let-23 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans. This gene regulates ects vulva development in C. elegans, but  its analog gene in humans, the EGFR receptor, can affect cell division in normal development and cancer. Her research focuses on how mutations that truncate the c-terminal end of the protein interact with activated Ras genes. Aden says  she loves being in the lab because "In research, I get to go in depth on a small topic that most people do not know about. I have learned to pay attention to detail and find new ways to apply what I learned in class!"

Dr. Thomas Jones Byers, came to OSU in 1964, as the University's first "molecular biologist." He was an original member and founder of the Molecular Genetics Department and the first director of the Graduate Program in Developmental Biology. Tom Byers' research concerned the cell growth, differentiation, and developmental biology of protozoa. Among other achievements, Byers was able to use DNA analysis to link the disease to contamination of contact lenses with the amoeba Acanthamoeba griffini from domestic tap water to the blinding disease Acanthamoeba keratitis. His research resulted in more than 40 articles and he was one of three editors of the book, Genetics and Biogenesis of Mitochondria and Chloroplasts (1975).

The Resolution of Memoriam by the OSU Board of Trustees, noted that Tom was a faculty member who had the remarkable ability to balance his skillful classroom teaching with his innovative research program and people-related service activities, while supporting junior faculty development, and mentoring new faculty and graduate students.

The Thomas J. Byers fund was established June 1, 2007 with gifts from family, friends, and colleagues in memory of Dr. Thomas Jones Byers. Consider contributing to the fund.