PHILADELPHIA (September 5, 2025) — Roland L. Dunbrack Jr., PhD, Professor and Co-leader of the Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Research Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center and Founding Director of the Fox Chase Molecular Modeling Facility, has been honored with the 2026 DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).
“This award means a great deal to me because it recognizes the field that I have devoted my entire career to, which is structural bioinformatics,” said Dunbrack. “Computational biology has transformed how we study cancer and many other diseases. Where scientists once worked with a handful of data points, we now analyze tens of thousands of genes and protein structures, requiring advanced computational methods to extract meaningful insights.”
The DeLano Award was established in memory of Warren L. DeLano, a bioinformatician and advocate for open-source practices in science. The award honors investigators who have made significant contributions to the development or application of computational technologies in the life sciences. It also recognizes innovative approaches that advance the ability to understand and visualize complex biological systems.
Dunbrack is being recognized for his pioneering work in the analysis and prediction of protein structures, which are central to understanding biological mechanisms and developing new therapies. His research group has developed computational models and statistical approaches that allow scientists to predict how proteins fold, interact, and function. These tools have been instrumental in advancing cancer biology research at Fox Chase and beyond.
“Proteins are the machines of life. If we can visualize and analyze their structures, we can begin to understand how cancers arise and how to design treatments that target them more effectively,” said Dunbrack. “My work has always focused on bridging basic structural biology with real-world applications in cancer research.”
Dunbrack was nominated for the award by Helen M. Berman, PhD, a former Fox Chase faculty member and past recipient of the DeLano Award. Berman co-founded the Protein Data Bank, an international archive of 3D structural data of proteins and nucleic acids. She is currently Professor Emerita at Rutgers University and a Distinguished Professor at the University of Southern California.
“Helen has been a tremendous role model and inspiration throughout my career, and I’m honored that she nominated me for this award,” said Dunbrack.
The award underscores not only Dunbrack’s scientific accomplishments but his role in advancing collaborative cancer research at Fox Chase. “Fox Chase has provided me with the opportunity to pursue innovative science and to work closely with colleagues across many areas of cancer biology. This recognition reflects the importance of computational biology in tackling the complexities of cancer.”