2004 Harris award winners announced









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From left: Heth Turnquist, Michael Dixon, Bob Lahue, Ph.D., Jason Wilken, Robert Kortum, Mahefa Andrianifahanana and Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D.

Six UNMC graduate students have received the 2004 Norman and Bernice Harris Awards in Cancer Research.

A panel of faculty judges, representing several different UNMC departments, evaluated the applications independently. The results were tabulated to determine the winners. Applications were evaluated based on publications, research presentations and other honors and awards for research, plus the cancer focus of the work and the clarity of its description. Applicants are evaluated solely on their accomplishments since the previous year’s award.

Each award winner receives $500, thanks to the Norman & Bernice Harris Graduate Student Cancer Research Award Fund, which was established at the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1999. The couple’s interests are in colorectal, breast and uterine cancer due to their personal battles with these diseases.

The award recipients, including their hometowns and UNMC departments, are listed below:


  • Presho, S.D. — Michael Dixon, the department of pathology/microbiology and the Cancer Research Training Program. Dixon has won the Harris award for three consecutive years.
  • Winner, S.D. – Heth Turnquist, pathology/microbiology and the Cancer Research Training Program;
  • Grand Island, Neb. – Robert Kortum, pathology/microbiology and the Cancer Research Training Program;
  • Antananarivo, Madagascar – Mahefa Andrianifahanana, biochemistry/molecular biology;
  • Omaha, Neb. – Jason Wilken, biochemistry/molecular biology and the Cancer Research Training Program;
  • Delhi, India — Swayam Prabha, pharmaceutical sciences.









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Bernice and Norman Harris

Originally from Omaha, the Harrises have lived in San Diego since 1965. Norman Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1941. Until his retirement in 1973, he was a manager for a chain of retail discount stores. He then embarked on entrepreneurial adventures in real estate, franchising, accounting, tax preparation, banking and finance. Norman Harris has been a University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee since 1993. Bernice Harris is an artist who taught at the Golden Door Spa near San Diego for several years. She also has written a book on Japanese flower arranging and is a decorative arranger and consultant.