This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on March 9 for UNMC’s Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.
Distinguished Scientist
The Distinguished Scientist Award — which is sponsored by the chancellor — recognizes researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years.
- Name: Benson Edagwa, PhD
- Title: Associate professor, UNMC Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience
- Joined UNMC: July 2012
- Hometown: Kenya
Please describe your research focus in three words or less:
Long-acting effective and safe therapies
Why is research important in the world today?
The goal of our research is to create ultra-long-acting medicines to be dosed once every six months or every year to facilitate treatment and prevention of hepatitis B (HBV) and HIV-1 infections. We also are developing long-acting treatments for tuberculosis (TB), chronic pain management and opioid use disorders.
My research will make a difference because:
My research will make a difference for people who are living with or are at risk of acquiring HBV, HIV and TB infections and struggle with adherence to daily lifelong therapy. We also are working on making a difference in the fight against addiction and other chronic conditions through our long-acting drug delivery platform. Notably, we created Exavir Therapeutics Inc. to transform our scientific discoveries into products that will have a positive effect on human health.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Before getting started, try to understand the box before thinking outside of it.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- My mother placed me in science after working me so hard on her farm in the village. My wife is a big supporter of my dreams.
- I prefer to work with my students in the laboratory, and since joining UNMC, I have co-mentored 12 PhD students, 13 undergraduates and high school students and currently am training six graduate students.
- God has blessed my wife and me with two amazing boys.
Congratulations !
Thanks so much, Huangui
Congratulations, Dr. Edagwa! Thank you for all you do.
Thanks so much, Giovanni
Congratulations, Dr. Endagwa!
Your research makes a difference!
Thanks so much, Vicky
Benson, my congratulations! You deserved it! !
Thanks so much, Natalia and for the great collaboration
Congratulations and best wishes!
Thanks so much for your continued support and collaboration, Larisa
Congratulations on your incredible success Dr. Edagwa!
Thanks so much, Yunlong
Many Congratulations Benson. Happy For your achievements.
Thanks so much, Prasanta
This award is special in so many ways. It is not simply a tribute to an individual, Dr. Benson Edagwa, but to our Medical Center and to witness the evolution and achievements of a distinguished scientist to a lofty level. As we all know and appreciate, Benson evolved from a postdoctoral fellow to one of the leading scientists and innovators in UNMC’s and dare say the world’s history. Watching his development in this environment, collaboratories, mentorships, and community involvement-opportunities have merged together to facilitate this incredible individual; he has succeeded at the highest levels. This of not simply his grants, his publications, the company, and the future visions but testimony of what can happen right here. We are all so proud of his achievements and his leadership will propel him and this institution to a very different level.
Always grateful for your unwavering support, leadership and collaboration, Dr. Gendelman
Thank you All for the kind words and support! Am blessed to be surrounded and supported by a great team, collaborators, environment and community
Way to go, Benson!
Thanks so much, Tom
Congrats Dr. Edagwa!
Thanks so much, Siwei
Hongera, Dr. Edagwa!
Ahsante sana, Heidi
Congratulations Benson!\
Janice and Jimmy
Advanced Microscopy Core Facility
Thanks so much for your continued support, Janice and Jimmy
Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Precious
Congratulations Prof Edagwa. I am happy for you. May Our Good Lord continue blessing you with knowledge and wisdom.
I would suggest that you also research for new antibiotics. AMR is a silent pandemic.
Regards,
Emily Wekesa, Kenya
Noted and thanks, Emily
Congratulations to you for your outstanding work!
Thanks so much Dr. Vennerstrom, I continue to learn from research leaders like yourself