Five professors in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology were among 50 across the University of Nebraska Medical Center to join the Circle of Distinction in 2024.
The Circle of Distinction recognizes the recipients of endowed chairs, professorships and fellowships, which are the highest academic awards the university can bestow on a faculty member. The faculty members and their corresponding benefactors were honored at a special event on Oct. 1.
W. Scott Campbell, MBA, PhD, received the Peter C. Hinrichs Chair of Pathology Informatics, given by Steven H. Hinrichs, MD. Dr. Campbell is senior director of UNMC Research Technologies, director of UNMC Health Informatics and Pathology Informatics, and co-director of the Great Plains IDeA-CTR Biomedical Informatics & Cyberinfrastructure Core. In the Campbell Lab, work is being done to use data standards and terminologies to represent the words (i.e., natural language) represented in the pathology report so that the data is readily accessible to both humans and computers. “I am forever grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Steven Hinrichs,” Dr. Campbell said. “As his student, and later as a faculty member under his leadership, I grew as a person, a scholar, and a professional. It is an incredible honor to be the inaugural recipient of the professor and chair endowment named after his father.”
The Henry F. Krous, MD, Professor of Pathology, given by Henry F. Kraus, MD, went to Allison M. Cushman-Vokoun, MD, PhD, FCAP. Dr. Cushman-Vokoun is director of the Division of Diagnostic Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, medical director of the Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine Laboratory at Nebraska Medicine, director of the Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program, and associate director of the UNMC MD-PhD Scholars Program. “I am honored to have the Henry F. Krous Professor of Pathology bestowed upon me and am so thankful to Dr. Krous for his support,” Dr. Cushman-Vokoun said. “Dr. Krous was a leader in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) research in the area of pediatric and forensic pathology and very well-respected in the field. I hope to use the support of this professorship to further our work in the genomic understanding of certain cancers, both clinically and in the research setting.”
Javeed Iqbal, PhD, received the Odeth E. Wall Centennial Professor of Oncology, given by the estate of Odeth E. Wall. Dr. Iqbal is a professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. The major focus of Dr. Iqbal’s lab is to understand the molecular mechanism of lymphomagenesis and to translate the relevant findings in lymphoma patient care. “I am truly honored to receive the endowed professorship, the Odeth E. Wall Centennial Professor of Oncology,” Dr. Iqbal said. “This academic achievement reflects not only my individual journey but also the unwavering support of many team members, including current and former mentors, colleagues, graduate students, research and clinical fellows, and the lymphoma study group. I am profoundly grateful to the Odeth E. Wall family for their generous support of translational research in rare lymphomas.”
The Dr. James L. and Patricia A. Wisecarver Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Microbiology, given by Dr. James L. and Mrs. Patricia A. Wisecarver, was awarded to Scott Koepsell, MD, PhD. Dr. Koepsell is vice chair of clinical operations, medical director of the Biologics Production Facility, and medical director of Nebraska Medicine Apheresis Services. “Dr. Wisecarver and his wife, Patricia, have had an enormous impact on our department and university. I am so grateful for the professorship they established. Dr. Wisecarver was not only a mentor to me, but he also mentored and taught dozens of laboratory leaders across Nebraska and the nation. His legacy continues every day in the work we are performing for our patients.”
Zhenya Tang, MD, PhD, FACMG, received the Bhavana J. Dave Distinguished Professor of Genetics, given by Rakesh Singh, MD. Dr. Tang is director of the Warren G. Sanger Human Genetics Laboratory. The laboratory provides more than 130 diagnostic tests for various areas of genetic health: prenatal and pregnancy loss, postnatal, and hematology/oncology.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Bhavana J. Dave Distinguished Professorship and the Circle of Distinction medal,” Dr. Tang said. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Dave family and the Singh family for their generous donation. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and support of many individuals in the Human Genetics Laboratory. As an incredible team, we will continue to uphold the legacy and excellence of Dr. Dave.”