This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Feb. 24 for UNMC's 2021 Scientist Laureate, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.
Distinguished Scientist Award
The Distinguished Scientist Award — which is sponsored by the chancellor — recognizes researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years.
- Name: Rebekah Gundry, PhD
- Titles: Professor and vice chair, UNMC Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology; professor and assistant chief for basic and translational research, UNMC Division of Cardiovascular Medicine; director, CardiOmics Program
- Joined UNMC: August 2019
- Hometown: Fall Creek, Wisconsin
Research focus:
Heart, cell surface glycoproteins, mass spectrometry
Why is research important in the world today?
Today’s discoveries propel tomorrow’s cures.
My research will make a difference because:
We make discoveries of the human heart not previously known, transforming our understanding of what molecules are present in the human heart and how they change in disease. This new insight fuels our understanding of disease processes and reveals untapped therapeutic targets. We also are developing new tools and reagents to promote the use of stem cell technologies for improved drug testing and disease modeling.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Write what you mean, mean what you write.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- I have a master’s degree in forensic science.
- I was working at the FBI Forensic Science Research Unit in Quantico, VA, when I first learned how amazing mass spectrometry is as a universally applicable technology.
- As a kid, I collected lightning bugs and sold them to Sigma Chemical Company so they could study luciferin and luciferase.
Rebekah, congratulations! It is great that you are working at UNMC.
Congratulations, Dr. Gundry! UNMC is so lucky to have you!!!
Congratulations.