American Cancer Society Research Professor, HHMI Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dr. Walker is an American biologist, notable for his work explicating the structure and function of proteins involved in DNA repair and mutagenesis. In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Walker is coordinating a program at MIT to develop curricular materials in biology. In 2010, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) announced three grants to MIT that recognize and promote excellence in science education at the Institute. These grants are part of an initiative by HHMI to help universities strengthen undergraduate and precollege science education nationwide. The resources will help faculty at research universities pursue some of their most creative ideas by developing new ways to teach and inspire students about science and research. One grant was a renewal of a project to promote undergraduate education in the biological sciences that Dr. Walker has directed for the past 20 years. In addition, MIT Professors Catherine L. Drennan and Walker were two of only 13 faculty members from around the nation to be named as HHMI Professors in the 2010 round of awards. Launched in 2002, the HHMI Professors Program recognizes accomplished research scientists who also are deeply committed to making science more engaging for undergraduates.