Distinguished Scientists
They are the best and brightest from all over the world, working tirelessly right here in the heartland to discover treatments and cures for life-threatening diseases.
They are at the center of discovery, conducting breakthrough research that will improve the lives of Nebraskans and beyond. They are UNMC's Distinguished Scientists.
Scientist Laureate
The UNMC Scientist Laureate Award is the highest honor UNMC bestows to researchers.

Siddappa Byrareddy, PhD
Siddappa Byrareddy, PhD, Singer Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis and vice chair for research in the UNMC Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, has been named UNMC’s 20th Scientist Laureate.
Research Leadership Award
The Research Leadership Award is intended to honor scientists previously recognized as Distinguished Scientists who have a longstanding research funding history, and also serve as research leaders and mentors on campus.

Vijaya Bhatt, MBBS
College of Medicine

Rebecca Oberley-Deegan, PhD
College of Medicine
Distinguished Scientists
The Distinguished Scientist Award – which is sponsored by the chancellor – recognizes researchers who have been among the most productive scientists in the country during the past five years.

Elizabeth Beam, PhD
College of Nursing

Bin Duan, PhD
College of Medicine

Stacey Gilk, PhD
College of Medicine

Natalia Osna, MD, PhD
College of Medicine

Gurudutt Pendyala, PhD
College of Medicine

Palsamy Periyasamy, PhD
College of Medicine

Anthony Podany, PharmD, PhD
College of Pharmacy

Athena Ramos, PhD
College of Public Health

Micah Schott, PhD
College of Medicine
New Investigators
New Investigator Awards go to outstanding UNMC scientists who in the past two years have secured their first funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense or other national sources. New Investigators also had to demonstrate scholarly activity, such as publishing their research or presenting their findings at national conventions.

Maher Abdalla, PhD
College of Medicine

Arpan Acharya, PhD
College of Medicine

Kurt Fisher, MD, PhD
College of Medicine

Jennifer Miller, PhD
College of Nursing

Jingjing Sun, PhD
College of Pharmacy

Peng Zhong, PhD
College of Medicine