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.

2026 Award Ceremony

The University of Nebraska Medical Center's 2026 honorees will be honored in an award ceremony on October 29 at 4 p.m. in the Durham Research Center auditorium.

A reception and poster session highlighting the research of the honorees will follow in the Durham Research Center commons area.

Scientist Laureate

The UNMC Scientist Laureate Award is the highest honor UNMC bestows to researchers.

Ted Mikuls, MD

Ted Mikuls, MD, Stokes-Shackleford Professor of Rheumatology in the UNMC Division of Rheumatology in the UNMC College of Medicine, has been named UNMC’s 21th Scientist Laureate.

Jennifer Blackford, PhD

Munroe-Meyer Institute

Paul Sorgen, PhD

College of Medicine

Aditya Bade, PhD

College of Medicine

Martin Conda-Sheridan, PhD

College of Pharmacy

Lynda Harris, PhD

College of Medicine

Kate Hyde, PhD

College of Medicine

Mary Isaacson, PhD

College of Nursing

Sangamesh Kumbar, PhD

College of Dentistry

Jennifer Bailey-Lundberg, PhD

College of Medicine

Karuna Rasineni, PhD

College of Medicine

Ruxana Sadikot, MD

College of Medicine

Saraswathi Viswanathan, PhD

College of Medicine

Nicholas Woods, PhD

Eppley Institute

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.