Franklin College biochemistry and molecular biology professor Lance Wells was appointed  a 2026 Fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

In addition to his teaching, Wells serves as associate director of the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC), one of the few research centers worldwide dedicated to the study of complex carbohydrates. A graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Wells investigates the biological roles of O-linked glycosylation, a process in which sugar molecules are attached to proteins. His work helps illuminate how these modifications influence human health and disease, including conditions such as muscular dystrophy and certain intellectual disability disorders.

Founded in 1985, the CCRC was designed to support the multidisciplinary and equipment-intensive nature of carbohydrate research. The center brings together expertise in areas including biomedical, plant, and microbial glycoscience and synthetic and analytical chemistry. Wells and his colleagues lead research programs that span these domains, providing students with broad opportunities for multidisciplinary training and research.

The ASBMB is one of the world’s oldest organizations devoted to biochemical and molecular life sciences. Election as an ASBMB Fellow is among the society’s highest honors, recognizing outstanding scientific achievement and significant contributions to the field. Fellows are selected for their research excellence, leadership within the scientific community, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists.

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