Congratulations to CCIB PhD Alum Matt Niepielko: Distinguished Graduate Award & Tenure
Congratulations to CCIB PhD alum Matthew G. Niepielko, Ph.D.—honored with the Distinguished Graduate Award during Graduate School–Camden orientation and awarded tenure at Kean University. As the first Ph.D. graduate of CCIB (2014), Dr. Niepielko now serves as an Associate Professor of Computational Biology at Kean University and Program Coordinator for the Group Summer Scholars Research Program. Through the Niepielko Lab, he investigates how molecular mechanisms regulate development and fertility using Drosophila. His work has been supported by major NIH and NSF grants, including a 2023 NSF CAREER Award that also supports NJ-RAISE, expanding access to STEM research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students.
“Matt Niepielko was my first MS student, joining my laboratory with Rob Marmion. From the beginning, Matt balanced multiple projects while cooking food for the growing flies’ community. He later became part of an exclusive group of three students who formed the inaugural class of the Center for Computational and Integrative Biology. After four years in the program, he graduated with a PhD, having published five journal papers. Matt has always been enthusiastic, creative, and caring—qualities he’s carried forward into his own career as a mentor of students at Kean University.”
— Nir Yakoby, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Biology Department
CCIB is proud to celebrate Dr. Niepielko’s achievements and their impact on research, mentorship, and student success.