Current Award Recipients

Wallace B. Thoreson, PhD

Dr. Thoreson grew up in Columbia, MO, and received a B.S. in Biology from Carleton College, Northfield, MN. He went on to receive his PhD in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota, followed by additional post-doctoral training in Ophthalmology at the same institution. Wally joined UNMC’s Department of Ophthalmology in 1993. His research has focused on the physiology of rod and cone photoreceptor cells with an eye (pun intended) towards understanding how synaptic transmission in the retina shapes our vision. To achieve these aims, his laboratory has used and developed a variety of electrophysiological and optical imaging techniques. He has published over 140 papers along with numerous book chapters. His research has been funded continuously by NIH for over 30 years, as well as by other funding agencies. He has received a number of awards for his research, institutional service, and mentorship. Dr. Thoreson currently serves as Gilmore Endowed Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, with joint appointments in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience at UNMC and the Department of Biology at UNO. He is married with two adult children and two (soon to be three) grandchildren. 

Mariah Kay Jackson, PhD, MMN, RDN, LMNT

Mariah Kay Jackson, PhD, MMN, RDN, LMNT exemplifies the qualities recognized by the Early Career Achievement Award through her exceptional research innovation, scholarly productivity, and measurable impact on clinical practice and professional education. Within just 10 years of graduating from the UNMC Graduate Studies Program, she has built an emerging national reputation in cancer-focused nutrition science and has made distinguished contributions that advance scientific understanding, clinical care, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Jackson has demonstrated remarkable innovation in designing research that integrates medical nutrition therapy with cancer outcomes. She conceptualized and secured funding for the interdisciplinary RESILIENCE Study, which investigates associations among diet quality, inflammation, neurocognitive outcomes, and cancer survivorship. Supported by competitive awards from the American Cancer Society, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, and the Cancer Prevention and Control Program, this study offers a novel framework for advancing mechanistic insight into how nutrition influences long-term cancer outcomes.

Her leadership in precision nutrition methodologies through the UN Collaboration Initiative further illustrates her creativity and growing influence. Her systematic review identifying urinary metabolomic biomarkers of dietary intake establishes a rigorous conceptual and methodological foundation for future grant submissions and advances nutrition phenotyping within oncology populations. This work fills a critical gap in cancer-focused nutrition research while strengthening translational bridges across epidemiology, metabolomics, precision nutrition, and survivorship science.

Her early evaluation of nutrition interventions for oncology patients at Nebraska Medicine demonstrated that Registered Dietitian Nutritionist care reduced weight loss in 60% of patients undergoing cancer treatment—an outcome with meaningful clinical relevance. These findings, disseminated nationally, continue to inform quality improvement efforts within the Cancer Center’s Nutrition Excellence Initiative.

Her intervention studies—including virtual cooking programs for cancer survivors and dietary strategies targeting cognitive health—demonstrate rigor through validated dietary instruments, biomarker integration, and robust pre-post designs.

These efforts reflect her commitment to developing practical, evidence-based nutrition approaches that address the real needs of oncology populations.

Dr. Jackson’s dissemination record exceeds expectations for an early-career investigator. Since 2019, she has published 14 peer-reviewed manuscripts (six as first author) with additional work under review. She has delivered more than 65 national and international presentations, including invited clinical sessions and multiple oral symposia at highly competitive meetings. Her visibility extends to public audiences through media interviews, podcasts, and institutional features related to her lung health research and involvement in the White House Cancer Moonshot–associated COACH Trial.

Her institutional and national impact is substantial. Her studies have strengthened clinical processes, expanded research infrastructure, and enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration across the Cancer Center. As Co-Project Leader on an NCI-funded cancer prevention initiative and mentor to more than 18 capstone chairs and over 40 student committees, she is shaping the next generation of health professionals.

Nationally, her influence is evident through her participation in precision nutrition training at UNC, her invitations to review NCCN and ASCO guidelines, and her role in multi-institutional oncology and pulmonary research networks. In every dimension, including innovation, rigor, dissemination, and impact, Dr. Mariah Jackson embodies the excellence recognized by the Early Career Achievement Award. Her work elevates UNMC and advances the scientific and clinical understanding of nutrition in clinical care. 

John J. Lowe, PhD

John J. Lowe earned his PhD in Medical Science in 2012 from UINMC. He holds both a master's degree in molecular virology and a bachelor's degree in biological chemistry from UNL.

Dr. Lowe is the director of the Global Center for Health Security, assistant vice chancellor for health security training and education, and professor of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. At the University of Nebraska Medical Center, he leads research and training initiatives to advance environmental risk assessment and infection control for high-residential pathogens. In addition, he is the Anne M. Hubbard Chair in the UNMC Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health in the College of Public Health and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health Security Training and Education in UNMC Academic Affairs.

As a virologist and environmental exposure scientist, Dr. Lowe has worked extensively throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, and Europe as an educator, researcher, and in health emergency risk management related to infectious disease, infection control, and emergency response. As a professor of environmental and occupational health, his expertise focuses on infectious disease risk assessment and management of risk for clinical, community, and industrial environments.

Dr. Lowe also has extensive experience in emerging pathogens and health security. He is co-PI for the U.S. National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center, established an international network for emerging infectious diseases, and served as lead investigator for a multi-country bio-surveillance network in Africa. He has experience in a broad range of health security topics, from surveillance, public health response, and clinical response to health emergencies. Dr. Lowe led successful COVID-19 efforts in 2020 at the National Quarantine Unit and Nebraska Biocontainment Unit to provide monitoring and care for repatriated U.S. citizens exposed to and infected with SARS Coronavirus 2. He also led early and continued efforts to characterize the transmission dynamics of SARS Coronavirus 2 which were presented in a joint meeting hosted by the Academy of Medicine and the American Public Health Association on April 15, 2020.

Dr. Lowe has co-authored numerous book chapters and scientific papers on control and response to emerging pathogens. He also provided technical consultation and participated in infection prevention and control as well as industrial hygiene in over 23 countries to a variety of industry sectors, including healthcare, food production, hospitality, finance, and insurance, for issues related to emerging pathogens, including Ebola virus disease and COVID-19.   

Laura D. Bilek, PT, PhD

Dr. Laura Bilek is a distinguished scientist, clinician, and leader in the field of bone health and rehabilitation science. With a PhD in Medical Science and licensed as a physical therapist, she has dedicated her career to advancing research and improving outcomes related to osteoporosis, physical activity, and long-term health.

Dr. Bilek has served as Associate Dean for Research and Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Allied Health Professions, where she has led impactful clinical research programs focused on exercise and bone health across the lifespan. Her work has contributed to an improved understanding of how targeted physical activity can strengthen bone structure and reduce disease risk. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and collaborated on clinical trials addressing osteoporosis prevention, cancer survivorship, and metabolic health. In addition to her research, Dr. Bilek was Chair of a UNMC interdisciplinary graduate program, supporting and training graduate students in clinical and translational research. For this work, she was runner-up for the Distinguished Mentor of Graduate Students Award.

In 2025, after an accomplished academic career, Dr. Bilek retired from UNMC and took a position in the medical device industry. As a medical science liaison, she educates health care providers, helping translate research into real-world health outcomes.