University of North Texas 
The College of Science is pleased to celebrate Dr. Ana Alonso’s recent designation as a University Distinguished Research Professor.
The College of Science is pleased to celebrate Dr. Ana Alonso’s recent designation
as a University Distinguished Research Professor! The University Distinguished Research
Professor Award recognizes tenured faculty who have achieved an exceptional record
of creative activities or research productivity and who demonstrate a record of continued
extraordinary productivity.
“I am truly honored and grateful to be selected. Working at UNT has been a wonderful
experience; I am sincerely touched that my contributions are being recognized and
deeply committed to supporting UNT’s research mission,” said Dr. Alonso, who obtained
her degrees in Biological and Medical Sciences from the Université Victor Segalen
in France before moving to the U.S. in 2004. “This award would not have been possible without the support of my department, college,
institute, collaborators, and research team.”Dr. Ana Alonso has been a Professor of Biological Sciences at UNT since 2018 and currently
serves as the Director of both the BioDiscovery Institute and the BioAnalytical Facility, which supports cutting‑edge metabolomics and lipidomics research across campus and
beyond. Her research focuses on understanding how plants and microbes produce and
regulate metabolic compounds that are essential for growth, development, and adaptation
to the environment.
“By combining biology, biochemistry, and computational approaches, my lab seeks to
uncover fundamental principles of cell metabolism that can inform sustainable agriculture
and biotechnology,” said Dr. Alonso. “Ultimately, our goal is to translate basic scientific
discoveries into solutions that address global challenges related to food security,
renewable energy, and human health.”
Dr. Alonso said that UNT has been a rewarding place to build a research program that
focuses on connecting basic and applied sciences and technology development in service
of training the next generation of scientists. Her teaching philosophy centers on
hands‑on learning, critical thinking, and mentorship.
“I strive to help students connect foundational concepts to real‑world biological challenges
and provide meaningful research experiences that prepare them for diverse careers
in science,” she said. “Creating an inclusive and supportive environment where students
feel empowered to ask questions and grow as scientists is essential to my approach.”
She added that she is especially grateful to her colleagues, collaborators, and dedicated
staff within the BioDiscovery Institute and the Department of Biological Sciences
who help make her research possible. “I also want to recognize my team of postdoctoral
and professional researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate trainees,” she
said. “Working with them is one of the most meaningful and rewarding aspects of my
career.”
Dr. Alonso was honored at UNT's Salute to Faculty Excellence event on April 16, 2026. This event is hosted each spring by Faculty Success and the UNT Foundation. For more information about the Faculty Excellence Awards and the 2026 winners, please visit https://vpaa.unt.edu/fs/recognition/sfe-winners-2026.html#service
Congratulations to all our award winners, and thank you for all you do to advance UNT’s mission to transform lives and build a brighter future!