{"id":103941,"date":"2023-10-20T01:58:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T06:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=103941"},"modified":"2025-09-30T14:55:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T19:55:34","slug":"new-investigator-nicole-shonka-md","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2023\/10\/20\/new-investigator-nicole-shonka-md\/","title":{"rendered":"New investigator: Nicole Shonka, MD"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Nov. 9 for UNMC\u2019s Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Distinguished Scientist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Name: <\/strong>Nicole Shonka, MD<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Title:<\/strong> Associate professor, Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, UNMC College of Medicine<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Joined UNMC:<\/strong> July 2010<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Hometown:<\/strong> Bellevue, Nebraska<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Please describe your research focus in three words or less: <\/strong>High-grade glioma<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why is research important in the world today? <\/strong>Research is essential to improve patient care and outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My research will make a difference because: <\/strong>Although rare, high-grade glioma is universally lethal and disproportionately impacts patients, families and communities. More effective therapy is integral to prolonging independence and improving the quality of life for all affected by this cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The best advice I\u2019ve ever received is: <\/strong>Don\u2019t sweat the small stuff \u2014 and almost everything is small stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Three things you may not know about me are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • I have lived in eight states but consider Omaha home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • People who have known us for decades still confuse me for Alissa Marr, MD, and vice-versa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • My first role at UNMC was as a volunteer in the emergency room in 1996.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Dr. Shonka is an associate professor in the UNMC Division of Oncology and 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