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

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

Vijaya Bhatt, MBBS

College of Medicine

Rebecca Oberley-Deegan, PhD

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

Elizabeth Beam, PhD

College of Nursing

Bin Duan, PhD

Bin Duan, PhD

College of Medicine

Stacey Gilk, PhD

Stacey Gilk, PhD

College of Medicine

Natalia Osna, MD, PhD

Natalia Osna, MD, PhD

College of Medicine

Gurudutt Pendyala, PhD

Gurudutt Pendyala, PhD

College of Medicine

Palsamy Periyasamy, PhD

Palsamy Periyasamy, PhD

College of Medicine

Anthony Podany, PharmD, PhD

Anthony Podany, PharmD, PhD

College of Pharmacy

Athena Ramos, PhD

Athena Ramos, PhD

College of Public Health

Micah Schott, PhD

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

Maher Abdalla, PhD

College of Medicine

Arpan Acharya, PhD

Arpan Acharya, PhD

College of Medicine

Kurt Fisher, MD, PhD

Kurt Fisher, MD, PhD

College of Medicine

Jennifer Miller, PhD

Jennifer Miller, PhD

College of Nursing

Jingjing Sun, PhD

Jingjing Sun, PhD

College of Pharmacy

Peng Zhong, PhD

Peng Zhong, PhD

College of Medicine