This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers and leaders who will be honored at a ceremony on Nov. 6 for UNMC’s annual research awards – the prestigious Scientist Laureate Award and the Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator, Career Achievement and Community Service to Research Awards.
Distinguished Scientist
Distinguished Scientist Awards, which are sponsored by the chancellor, recognize researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years.
- Name: Stacey Gilk, PhD
- Title: Professor, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, UNMC College of Medicine
- Joined UNMC: October 2020
- Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Describe your research focus in three words or less:
Host-pathogen interactions
Why is research important in the world today?
Research drives curiosity, exploration and discovery to help us better understand the world around us. It encourages innovation, challenges assumptions and uncovers solutions to complex problems. By asking questions and seeking answers, it empowers informed decision-making and inspires future generations to advance knowledge for the benefit of society.
My research will make a difference because:
My research uncovers how intracellular pathogens like Coxiella burnetii manipulate host cell biology, particularly lipid metabolism and immune signaling. By revealing the molecular mechanisms that pathogens use to persist and cause disease, our work identifies vulnerabilities that can be targeted for new treatments. These insights extend beyond infectious disease, informing broader questions of host cell function, lipid homeostasis and immune regulation. Ultimately, my research not only advances basic science but also has direct implications for improving human and animal health, reducing the burden of chronic infections and guiding innovative therapeutic development.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Early in my career, I was told that people pursue research for one of three reasons: fame, fortune or love. Fame and fortune may bring recognition, but doing research out of love brings lasting joy. That advice has stayed with me, because curiosity and passion for discovery are what make the journey meaningful and keep the work alive.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- I have a lifelong love of soccer and played goalkeeper through school and into my postdoctoral training.
- I didn’t visit a major city until college, when I traveled to Chicago, which remains one of my favorite cities.
- I enjoy traveling with my husband and son. Our most recent trip included Iceland, Sweden and Denmark.
Love this for you. Great pic. Congratulations!