Illinois
Rosalind Franklin University Researchers Selected as 2024 “Illinois Researchers to Know”
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science research faculty have been named among “Illinois Researchers to Know” by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition. The annual list recognizes the groundbreaking work of scientists and ten institutions driving innovation in the state.
The three Rosalind Franklin researchers are:
- Brian Feinstein, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Psychology and director of the Sexuality, Health and Gender Lab at RFU. Dr. Feinstein’s research areas include sexual and gender minority (SGM) health, stigma-related stress and coping, bisexuality and pansexuality and mental health, substance use, sexual health, and relationship functioning in SGM populations, and developing and testing interventions to improve SGM health.
- Robert Marr, PhD, associate professor, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Therapeutics, and Chicago Medical School assistant dean for research. Dr. Marr studies neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including the use of gene transfer vectors as a tool to investigate specific gene function(s) in the brain as it relates to AD, the derivation of potentially new therapeutic approaches to AD, and the role of Alzheimer’s related genes in the process of traumatic brain injury.
- Neelam Sharma-Walia, PhD, associate professor, Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection. Dr. Sharma-Walia’s research has principally focused on oncolytic viruses and cancer. Her lab also works to understand the role of arachidonic acid metabolism and the complexity of the tumor microenvironment in the biology of inflammatory breast cancer, the most aggressive, highly metastatic form of breast cancer.
RFU Executive Vice President for Research Dr. Ronald Kaplan thanked the ISTC for spotlighting how investments in academic research and scientific discovery are driving innovation and improving human health.
“We are pleased by the inclusion of RFU scientists in this prestigious list,” Dr. Kaplan said. “Dr. Feinstein, Dr. Marr and Dr. Sharma-Walia have made significant contributions, particularly in the last 12 months, in key diseases or health conditions that impact both U.S. and international populations.
About Rosalind Franklin University
Recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, diabetes, obesity, and gait and balance, RFU encompasses the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, and School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Learn more at rosalindfranklin.edu.
Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications, [email protected]
SOURCE Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Illinois
Accumulating snowfall continues across Central Illinois
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (25News Now) – Accumulating snowfall will continue across Central Illinois into the evening and tonight
Here’s some of the latest snowfall reports we have seen across Central Illinois as of 12 pm.
- 5,1″ Farmington
- 4.2″ Metamora
- 4″ Wyoming
- 4″ Galesburg
- 4″ Washburn
- 4″ Canton
- 4″ Astoria
- 4″ Topeka
- 3.8″ Lewistown
- 3.3″ Washington
- 2″ Bellevue
- 1.5″ East Peoria
These totals will continue to be updated throughout the day as reports come in.
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Illinois
IHSA postpones Illinois state high school football championship games on Saturday due to winter storm
The Illinois High School Association football state championships scheduled for Saturday have been postponed, as Illinois State University is closing its campus due to heavy snow in the forecast.
IHSA said the university in the Bloomington-Normal area is closing its campus out of an abundance of caution due to the winter storm. The National Weather Service is expecting snow totals expected to reach 7 to 10 inches in the area on Saturday.
Four IHSA Football State Finals games were scheduled to take place at ISU’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday – the Class 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A championship games have been postponed. New dates have not yet been announced.
The Class 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A games on Friday were not affected, and will be played as scheduled.
“The postponement of the IHSA Football State Finals is unprecedented in the state playoffs’ 51-year history,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a statement. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of these schools and communities as we work to determine the best and safest solution to rescheduling these contests and crowning state champions in our four largest classes.”
Illinois
Four-Star Forward Quinton Kitt Commits to Illinois: How He Fits
Illinois scored a major early win in the 2027 recruiting cycle on Thanksgiving, securing a commitment from East Peoria native Quinton Kitt, a 6-foot-6 forward ranked No. 114 nationally by 247Sports.
Kitt becomes the Illini’s first pledge in the class and continues a trend that has become increasingly familiar under head coach Brad Underwood – top in-state talent choosing to stay home. His decision is another reminder that Illinois basketball is no longer simply competing on the national stage. It is becoming a program that players want to be part of.
forever thankful to represent to put on for my state… go fighting illini 🟠🔵 #home #happythanksgiving pic.twitter.com/MFynfw7rm1
— Quinton Kitt (@quintonkitt) November 27, 2025
Kitt’s commitment also reinforces the momentum Illinois has built over the past several seasons. Since Underwood’s arrival, he has resurrected the program and turned it from a middling Big Ten team into one of the most consistent winners in college basketball. The Illini have pulled top recruits, landed marquee transfers, developed NBA talent and built an identity centered around toughness and modern offensive spacing. When a top prospect commits this early, it signals more than momentum – it shows Illinois is becoming the type of powerhouse that can reload year after year with players who believe in what Underwood is building.
The centerpiece of Kitt’s game is his premier skill: high-level spot-up shooting. At 6-foot-6, he possesses clean mechanics, fluid footwork and a natural rhythm that makes him one of the best floor spacers in the Midwest for his age. Underwood has made three-point shooting a priority in roster construction, and Kitt fits that philosophy seamlessly. He projects as an immediate shooting threat who can open the floor for Illinois’ guards and bigs, whether stationed in the corners, popping off screens or trailing in transition.
Quinton Kitt (class of 2027, Meanstreets 15U) has caught my eye as a shooter to remember in the coming years. As he grows, he has a high level trait to hang his hat on with his jumper pic.twitter.com/2DLDiBJdEy
— Rich Stayman (@RichStayman) July 6, 2024
Although shooting is the headliner, Kitt isn’t a one-dimensional piece. He’s not the twitchiest athlete in the class, but he gets to the rim with efficiency, using size, stride length and composure to finish through contact. He has the IQ to make the right reads – finding cutters, swinging the ball to shooters and delivering simple but effective passes that keep an offense flowing. That feel for the game elevates his value well beyond spot-up scenarios.
“Be one of them ones.”
Meanstreets EYBL 2027 Wing Quinton Kitt (@quintonkitt ) drops 29 points to lead the 16U to a 1-0 start in Peach Jam Pool Play with 73-65 win over AB Elite.
Ⓜ️💨#RespectTheStreets pic.twitter.com/ogzzhFtiZc — Nike Meanstreets (@MeanstreetsEYB) July 16, 2025
All of this makes Kitt a classic Underwood-style Swiss Army Knife. He can dribble, pass, shoot and play multiple spots without needing plays run for him. He enhances spacing, connects actions and fits into virtually any lineup construction Illinois might throw onto the floor. For a program that has thrived with multipositional, high-IQ wings, Kitt checks every box.
Landing Kitt sets a strong tone for the 2027 class – and again shows that Illinois doesn’t have to leave the state to find talent that fits its growing powerhouse identity.
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