Rabindranath De La Fuente. / University of Georgia
Rabindranath De La Fuente, professor of reproductive biology and epigenetics in the College of Veterinary Medicine, has been selected as one of 11 University of Georgia faculty members named to the 2025–2026 Aspire Fellows cohort.
The cohort, representing seven schools and colleges along with the Center for Teaching and Learning, was announced by the Office of Academic Affairs this week. Established in 2017, the Aspire Fellows program supports mid-career and senior faculty in expanding their professional impact through a signature project, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership development.
De La Fuente leads a research program examining the molecular mechanisms that regulate chromatin structure and chromosome instability in mammalian germ cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. His work, supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Science Foundation, has advanced understanding of chromatin remodeling proteins during meiosis and the mechanisms driving epigenetic reprogramming in mammalian oocytes.
Before joining UGA, De La Fuente conducted postdoctoral research on epigenetics at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, under a Lalor Foundation Post-Doctoral Scholarship. His laboratory has since become a recognized center for research on chromatin dynamics and genome stability in reproductive biology.
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Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Elizabeth Weeks said the new cohort reflects the university’s emphasis on academic excellence and innovation. “We congratulate these highly accomplished faculty who exemplify the University of Georgia’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research and service,” she told Georgia. “We look forward to seeing how their significant projects and engagement with this energizing cohort program will enrich their professional journeys.”
The Aspire Fellows program provides a structured framework for experienced faculty to refine leadership and project management skills through a series of workshops and peer collaboration sessions. It also fosters cross-campus connections, encouraging participants to translate disciplinary expertise into broader institutional contributions.
The 2025–2026 Fellows’ projects are expected to address a range of themes across research, pedagogy, and public engagement, underscoring the university’s goal of sustaining a strong community of scholars who contribute both locally and globally.
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