Dr. Thomas Begley Named Williams-Raycheff Endowed Professor in Biology

Thomas Begley

The Department of Biological Sciences recognizes Dr. Thomas Begley, a Professor of Biological Sciences and Associate Director of The RNA Institute, on being named the Williams-Raycheff Endowed Professor in Biology. Established through a generous gift from Margaret Raycheff-Williams ’44 and Roy O. Williams, this endowed professorship recognizes faculty whose scholarship, teaching, and service demonstrate excellence in the life sciences.

Dr. Begley completed his B.S. in Biology at UAlbany in 1994 and went on to earn his Ph.D. in 1999 under the mentorship of Professor Richard Cunningham where he studied how organisms respond to various types of “stress” at the cellular level. After completing a post-doctoral position, he returned to UAlbany as a faculty member in 2004. Since then, the Begley laboratory has made several major discoveries including showing that RNA can be reprogrammed to enhance cellular survival under stress. His group also developed computational methods to analyze RNA molecules within cells, identifying potential therapeutic targets relevant to cancer and degenerative diseases, and the identification of a new tumor suppressor gene in colorectal cancer. Together, these discoveries demonstrate how basic research can lead to new approaches to disease detection, prevention, and treatment.

In addition to his research achievements, Dr. Begley has made significant contributions to education and training at UAlbany. As director of the RNA Institute’s Training Program in RNA Science and Technology, he has provided students with valuable experience in both molecular and computational biology. His mentorship has helped prepare numerous undergraduates and graduate students for careers in biomedical research, biotechnology, and medicine.

Dr. Begley’s accomplishments have been recognized across the State University of New York system and beyond. In 2023, he was promoted to Distinguished Professor, the highest academic rank conferred by the SUNY Board of Trustees. His selection as the Williams-Raycheff Endowed Professor in Biology further acknowledges his continued excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service.

Once again, congratulations to Dr. Begley and thank you for your continued support from the University, CAS, Department of Biological Sciences and the RNA Institute.