Ted Mikuls, MD, named UNMC’s 21st Scientist Laureate

Ted Mikuls, MD, Stokes-Shackleford Professor of Rheumatology in the UNMC Division of Rheumatology in the UNMC College of Medicine, has been named the 2026 UNMC Scientist Laureate, the highest research honor bestowed at UNMC.

Dr. Mikuls is a rheumatologist and epidemiologist whose research focuses on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis and gout. He is actively engaged in clinical/translational research activities and has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, the Rheumatology Research Foundation and industry. He also serves as the director of the professional development core for the Great Plains IDeA-CTR.

Dr. Mikuls, UNMC’s 21st Scientist Laureate, called the recognition an incredible honor.

“My UNMC research career has truly been a winding path,” he said. “Along the way, I have been extremely fortunate to have been introduced to so many generous study participants, collaborators, trainees and simply the best research support staff that you could ask for as an investigator.”

Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, called Dr. Mikuls a consummate scientist.

“His work with our veterans, exemplified by the multicenter Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry, where he has been the principal investigator for more than two decades, speaks to the depth of his commitment and impact,” Dr. Britigan said, “The entire college congratulates him on this honor.”

UNMC Vice Chancellor for Research Ken Bayles, PhD, said: “Dr. Mikuls is world renowned for his research on rheumatoid arthritis and gout, and he is fantastic role model for how to conduct impactful research through collaboration at UNMC and beyond. I couldn’t be more pleased to have him as this year’s recipient of the Scientist Laureate Award.”

Dr. Mikuls will be honored along with 23 other researchers named UNMC Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Research Leadership Award winners for 2026. A ceremony will be held on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. in the Durham Research Center auditorium. A reception and poster session highlighting the research of the honorees will follow in the Durham Research Center commons area.

The other researchers being recognized include:

Research Leadership

Research Leadership Awards honor scientists previously recognized as Distinguished Scientists who have a longstanding research funding history and also serve as research leaders and mentors on campus.

• Jennifer Blackford, PhD, Munroe-Meyer Institute
• Paul Sorgen, PhD, biochemistry and molecular biology, UNMC College of Medicine

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.

• Aditya Bade, PhD, pharmacology and experimental neuroscience, UNMC College of Medicine
• Martin Conda-Sheridan, PhD, pharmaceutical science, UNMC College of Pharmacy
• Lynda Harris, PhD, obstetrics/gynecology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Kate Hyde, PhD, biochemistry and molecular biology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Mary Isaacson, PhD, Omaha division, UNMC College of Nursing
• Sangamesh Kumbar, PhD, growth and development, UNMC College of Dentistry
• Jennifer Bailey-Lundberg, PhD, pathology, microbiology and immunology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Karuna Rasineni, PhD, biochemistry and molecular biology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Ruxana Sadikot, MD, UNMC College of Medicine
• Saraswathi Viswanathan, PhD, internal medicine-DEM, UNMC College of Medicine
• Nicholas Woods, PhD, Eppley Institute

New Investigator

New Investigator Awards go to outstanding UNMC scientists who in the past year have secured their first independent funding from a national source. New investigators also must demonstrate scholarly activity such as publishing their research and/or presenting their findings at national conventions.

• Sandipan Brahma, PhD, genetics, cell biology and anatomy, UNMC College of Medicine
• Amanda Brinkworth, PhD, pathology, microbiology and immunology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Shaun Cross, PhD, environmental, agricultural and occupational health, UNMC College of Public Health
• Brittney Dickey, PhD, epidemiology, UNMC College of Public Health
• Joseph Fauver, PhD, epidemiology, UNMC College of Public Health
• Sudipta Panja, PhD, pharmacology and experimental neuroscience, UNMC College of Medicine
• Michele Plewes, PhD, obstetrics/gynecology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Svetlana Romanova, PhD, pharmaceutical science, UNMC College of Pharmacy
• Ashu Shah, PhD, biochemistry and molecular biology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Jieqiong Wang, PhD, neurological sciences, UNMC College of Medicine
• Jian Xie, PhD, pathology, microbiology and immunology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Pengwei Zhang, PhD, pathology, microbiology and immunology, UNMC College of Medicine