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.
2025 Award Ceremony
The University of Nebraska Medical Center's 2025 honorees will be honored in an award ceremony at 4 p.m. November 6 in the Durham Research Center Auditorium. A reception and poster session will follow in the Durham Research Center II commons area.
Watch the ceremony here on Nov. 6
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.
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.
