Annual award renamed to honor college’s founding dean
UNMC’s College of Allied Health Professions has renamed its Outstanding Service to the Allied Health Professions Award in honor of Kyle Meyer, PhD, who is stepping down as dean of the college later this year.
The award now is named the Kyle P. Meyer Outstanding Service to the Allied Health Professions Award.
This award is presented annually during the college’s May convocation and recognizes those whose contributions to the allied health professions are significant, lasting and meaningful.
Dr. Meyer has led allied health at UNMC for 20 years and was named founding dean when the school became UNMC’s sixth college in 2015. The renaming of the award was approved by the college’s leadership council but came as a surprise to Dr. Meyer, who was notified of the recognition during a weekly town hall in March.
-Kalani Simpson, UNMC strategic communications
Buffett Institute seeks researchers for graduate fellowships
University of Nebraska System doctoral students can earn up to $25,000 to support their innovative early childhood research through the Buffett Early Childhood Institute’s Graduate Scholars program. The Buffett Institute is accepting applications for this one-year fellowship through April 24.
Since 2016, the Buffett Institute has invested $750,000 through its Graduate Scholars program to support the early childhood research of 30 PhD students from University of Nebraska campuses. The Buffett Institute welcomes applicants from a wide range of disciplines, including health, education, social work, psychology and neurosciences.
The program has funded research on topics such as:
- Microplastics in baby food and products.
- Nutrition and mealtimes in child care settings.
- Pregnancy-related health outcomes.
- The association between agrichemical mixtures and pediatric health outcomes in Nebraska.
- Prosthesis usage in young children.
“The next generation of researchers will shape what we know about young children and how we can best support them,” said Alexandra Daro, the director of applied research at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. “The Graduate Scholars program is how we invest in that future, by supporting scholars who are asking bold, cross-disciplinary questions that tackle the real challenges facing today’s children and the adults who care for them.”
Completed applications for the 2026-27 Graduate Scholars Program are due Friday, April 24. Applicants will receive decision notifications by the end of June. For more information and to apply, visit this link.
-Erica Sesay, Buffett Early Childhood Institute
Buffett Institute Graduate Scholars Showcase
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute will highlight the next generation of researchers at the 2025–26 Buffett Institute Graduate Scholars Showcase.
The event will feature presentations and a Q&A poster session with University of Nebraska doctoral students. Their projects explore how maternal stressors can impact babies’ short- and long-term health, health outcomes related to diabetes during pregnancy and parenting content on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
The event is scheduled for April 29 from 4:30-6 p.m. at the UNMC Davis Global Center. Register to attend at this link.
For more information, visit the Buffett Early Childhood Institute website.
-Erica Sesay, Buffett Early Childhood Institute
NU mileage reimbursement rate
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the University of Nebraska has set the mileage reimbursement rate to the current GSA (General Services Administration) standard of $.0725 per mile.
If travel occurred before Jan. 1, 2026, the mileage reimbursement will reflect the previous rate. The Firefly travel application will automatically adjust the rates per date of travel. If reports have existing mileage entries for dates on or after Jan. 1, it is recommended to delete and re-add the expense line to ensure the new rate applies as expected.
-University of Nebraska System