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.

2024 Award Ceremony

The University of Nebraska Medical Center's 2024 honorees will be honored in an award ceremony at 4 p.m. November 14 in the Durham Research Center Auditorium. A reception and poster session will follow in the Durham Research Center II commons area.

Scientist Laureate

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

Hamid Band, MD, PhD

Hamid Band, MD, PhD

Hamid Band, MD, PhD, the Elizabeth Bruce Professor of Cancer Research with the UNMC Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, has been named UNMC’s 19th 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.

Corey Hopkins, PhD

Corey Hopkins, PhD

College of Pharmacy

Kaleb Michaud, PhD

Kaleb Michaud, 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.

Keshore Bidasee, PhD

Keshore Bidasee, PhD

College of Medicine

Rey Carabeo, PhD

Rey Carabeo, PhD

College of Medicine

Karen Gould, PhD

Karen Gould, PhD

College of Medicine

So-Youn Kim, PhD

So-Youn Kim, PhD

College of Medicine

Wasim Nasser, PhD

Wasim Nasser, PhD

College of Medicine

Edward Peters, ScD

Edward Peters, ScD

College of Public Health

Lynette Smith, PhD

Lynette Smith, PhD

College of Public Health

Sumit Yadav, PhD

Sumit Yadav, PhD

College of Dentistry

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.

Sean Avedissian, PharmD

Sean Avedissian, PharmD

College of Pharmacy

Sara Bares, MD

Sara Bares, MD

College of Medicine

Subhash Chand, PhD

Subhash Chand, PhD

College of Medicine

Sujata Chaudhari, PhD

Sujata Chaudhari, PhD

College of Medicine

Suyong Choi, PhD

Suyong Choi, PhD

Eppley Institute

Lynda Harris, PhD

Lynda Harris, PhD

College of Medicine

Jocelyn Herstein, PhD

Jocelyn Herstein, PhD

College of Public Health

Breanna Hetland, PhD

Breanna Hetland, PhD

College of Nursing

Harshraj Leuva, MBBS

Harshraj Leuva, MBBS

College of Medicine

Bethany Lowndes, PhD

Bethany Lowndes, PhD

College of Medicine

Shireen Rajaram, PhD

Shireen Rajaram, PhD

College of Public Health

Shibiao Wan, PhD

Shibiao Wan, PhD

College of Medicine