As co-director of the Center for the Physics of Living Cells and faculty affiliate of the Institute for Genomic Biology, Ha applies the tools of physics to important problems in biology and medicine. He has achieved many "firsts" in experimental biological physics--the first dectection of dipole-dipole interaction (fluorescence resonance energy transfer, or FRET) between two single molecules; the first observation of "quantum jumps" of single molecules at room temperature; the first detection of the rotation of single molecules; and the first detection of enzyme conformational changes via single-molecule FRET. His most recent work, using single-molecule measurements to understand protein-DNA interactions and enzyme dynamics, has led him to develop novel optical techniques, fluid-handling systems, and surface preparations.
Ha has received many honors, including the Barany Award of the Biophysical Society (2007), Fellow of the American Physical Society (2005), Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow (2003), Cottrell Scholar Award (Research Corporation, 2003), the Young Fluorescence Investigator Award of the Biophysical Society (2002), and Searle Scholar (2001).
Begun in 1985, the University Scholars program provides $10,000 to each scholar for each of three years to use to enhance his or her academic career. The money may be used for travel, equipment, research assistants, books or other purposes.This year's University Scholars from across the Urbana campus include: Rajshree Agarwal, professor of business administration; Milan K. Bagchi, professor of molecular and integrative physiology; Jodi A. Flaws, professor of veterinary biosciences; Neil L. Kelleher, professor of chemistry and faculty affiliate of the Institute for Genomic Biology; and D. Fairchild Ruggles, professor of landscape architecture.
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Contact: Taekjip Ha, Department of Physics, 217/265-0717.
Writer: Jeff Unger, News Bureau, 217/333-1085
Photo: L. Brian Stauffer.
If you have any questions about the College of Engineering, or other story ideas, contact Rick Kubetz, Engineering Communications Office, 217/244-7716, editor.