Dr. Bokemper named to Ludwick Faculty Fellowship
Richard Bokemper, DDS, assistant professor and chair of adult restorative dentistry, has been named the recipient of the Dr. William E. Ludwick Faculty Fellowship in Dentistry, Dean Gerry Kugel, DMD, PhD, announced.
Dr. Bokemper’s teaching excellence and dedication to service were cited as reflecting the fellowship’s criteria. Dr. Bokemper teaches numerous key clinical and didactic courses in restorative dentistry while also volunteering his time supervising students and community service events.
Dr. Bokemper returned to the UNMC College of Dentistry in 2016 as a part-time faculty member after 36 years of private practice in Nebraska and Iowa. He became full-time in 2018 and was named department chair in 2026.
-Kalani Simpson, UNMC strategic communications
Dr. Ahodantin receives Pinnacle Research Award in Liver Diseases
James Ahodantin, PhD, an assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, has received the 2026 Pinnacle Research Award in Liver Diseases from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Foundation.
Dr. Ahodantin received the funding award for his project titled “HEPLISAV-B Treatment Overcomes Immune Tolerance to Eliminate Hepatitis B Virus.” It provides $300,000 in funding for 2026-29.
The Pinnacle Research Award supports promising junior faculty pursuing high-impact basic science research.
Dr. Ahodantin’s laboratory researches how chronic viral hepatitis, alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction interact to drive liver inflammation, immune dysfunction and disease progression, with a goal of developing more effective treatments for patients with chronic liver diseases.
Dr. Ahodantin said the funding award is an “incredible honor and an important milestone in my career as an independent investigator” that provides an outstanding opportunity to accelerate his research and establish new collaborations across UNMC and with investigators around the world.
He said, “As a new faculty member at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, this recognition from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) validates the significance of our research program and reinforces our commitment to advancing the understanding of liver disease through innovative immunology and metabolism research.”
-UNMC strategic communications
Dr. Bell serves as keynote for regional symposium
Jesse Bell, PhD, the Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Water, Climate, and Health in the UNMC Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, served as keynote speaker for the Central Plains Drinking Water Quality and Rural Health Symposium in Lawrence, Kansas.
His presentation focused on nitrate contamination in drinking water and its impact on human health, particularly among rural populations.
Hosted by the Kansas Geologic Survey in partnership with institutions throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, the conference brought together researchers, public health professionals and community leaders to explore solutions to shared challenges related to drinking water quality and availability.
The conference also explored concerns related to pesticides, naturally occurring contaminants such as arsenic and uranium, water availability, drought, and the impacts of extreme weather events on water systems.
A major takeaway for Dr. Bell was the opportunity to strengthen regional partnerships while continuing to build on the work already being done in Nebraska.
“We’re helping push the conversation forward,” Dr. Bell said. “But we also have a lot of interested partners throughout the region, and we should be working collaboratively to help each other move forward on these complex challenges.”
Visit Water, Climate and Health Program’s website to learn more.
-Taylor Dahl, UNMC College of Public Health