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.

2022 Honorees

The University of Nebraska Medical Center's 2022 honorees will be honored in a hybrid virtual and in-person awards ceremony at 4 p.m. March 9 at the Durham Research Center auditorium.

Watch the ceremony here | View a printable program

Scientist Laureate

This award is the highest honor UNMC bestows to researchers. Read about Diana Florescu, MD.

Introducing 2022 UNMC Scientist Laureate Diana Florescu, MD.

Video Transcript

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.

Babu Guda, PhD

Babu Guda, PhD

College of Medicine

James Lawler, MD

James Lawler, MD

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.

David Brett-Major, MD

David Brett-Major, MD

College of Public Health

Benson Edagwa, PhD

Benson Edagwa, PhD

College of Medicine

Jered Garrison, PhD

Jered Garrison, PhD

College of Pharmacy

Dejun Su, PhD

Dejun Su, PhD

College of Public Health

Ashley Wysong, MD

Ashley Wysong, MD

College of Medicine

Steven Yeh, MD

Steven Yeh, MD

College of Medicine

Sowmya Yelamanchili, PhD

Sowmya Yelamanchili, 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.

Aditya Bade, PhD

Aditya Bade, PhD

College of Medicine

Su Chen, PhD

Su Chen, PhD

College of Public Health

Gargi Ghosal, PhD

Gargi Ghosal, PhD

College of Medicine

Abraham Mengist, PhD

Abraham Mengist, PhD

College of Public Health

Jordan Rowley, PhD

Jordan Rowley, PhD

College of Medicine

Derrick Samuelson, PhD

Derrick Samuelson, PhD

College of Medicine

Micah Schott, PhD

Micah Schott, PhD

College of Medicine

Jawed Siddiqui, PhD

Jawed Siddiqui, PhD

College of Medicine

Benjamin Teply, MD

Benjamin Teply, MD

College of Medicine

Siwei Zhao, PhD

Siwei Zhao, PhD

College of Medicine

Community Service to Research

The Community Service to Research Awards were established to recognize the critical roles many community members have played in UNMC research, as facilitators, implementors, reviewers, and collaborators, among other roles.