Where did Dylan Blaha attend college and what degree(s) did he earn?
Executive summary
Available reporting consistently identifies Dylan Blaha as having studied and conducted research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a Master of Science in Biochemistry, and did four years of cancer research there [1] [2] [3]. Campaign material and local reporting confirm his UIUC affiliation but provide fewer formal credential details beyond those research and degree statements [4] [5].
1. Where he went to college — University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign
Multiple profiles and news stories state that Dylan Blaha attended the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign (UIUC). The U.S. Army profile mentions his UIUC degrees explicitly (Bachelor of Science and Master of Science) and several local outlets and academic pages link his research and training to the UIUC campus [1] [2] [6].
2. What degrees are reported — B.S. and M.S. in life sciences
The most specific public account comes from the U.S. Army biography, which says Blaha “holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign” [1]. Independent journalism and candidate biographies summarize his credentials similarly, describing degrees in molecular/cellular biology and biochemistry and noting his work as a cancer research scientist [2] [7].
3. Research and professional context — four years of cancer research at UIUC
Beyond degree titles, reporting adds that Blaha conducted four years of cancer research at UIUC, which supports the claim that his academic training included hands‑on laboratory experience relevant to biochemistry and molecular biology [2]. A UIUC training program page lists him among people associated with the campus Chemistry‑Biology Interface, further connecting him to research programs there [6].
4. Campaign and public materials — confirm affiliation but vary on detail
Blaha’s campaign site and local candidate profiles emphasize his background as a research scientist and Army officer but do not always list formal degree names on every page; they instead highlight his UIUC research and veteran status [4] [8]. Ballotpedia and FEC candidate records confirm his candidacy but do not provide additional academic detail beyond what's in media and official bios [9] [10].
5. How consistent are the sources — strong agreement with minor differences in wording
The U.S. Army article (an official military bio) provides the most specific degree language (B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology; M.S. in Biochemistry), and independent outlets (local news, advocacy press) echo that summary, sometimes collapsing the wording to “degrees in molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry” or describing him as a “biochemist” or “cancer research scientist” [1] [7] [2] [5]. ResearchGate and UIUC program pages corroborate his UIUC affiliation but do not independently list diplomas [3] [6].
6. What’s not found in current reporting
Available sources do not mention exact graduation years, thesis titles, honors distinctions (e.g., summa/magna cum laude), or which UIUC department granted the M.S.; those specifics are not present in the cited materials [1] [3] [2]. Also, formal transcripts or university press releases confirming degree conferral dates are not in the provided set [1] [6].
7. Possible alternative viewpoints and why they matter
There is no source here disputing Blaha’s degrees or UIUC affiliation; the variation lies mainly in phrasing (e.g., “degrees in molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry” vs. explicit B.S. and M.S. titles). Readers should note that campaign bios and local press tend to emphasize narrative (researcher, veteran, candidate) while the Army profile provides the most precise academic wording [1] [4] [2].
8. Bottom line for your query
Based on available public reporting and official biography material, Dylan Blaha attended the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a Master of Science in Biochemistry, and conducted approximately four years of cancer research at UIUC [1] [2] [3]. If you need formal confirmation of degree conferral dates or diploma copies, those details are not present in the sources provided and would require direct verification from UIUC or Blaha’s campaign (not found in current reporting) [1] [8].