In honor of his efforts to build UNMC’s research enterprise, Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research, received an Honorary Scientist Laureate award on Monday at the Distinguished Scientist ceremony.
“Tom has done a phenomenal job,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “The Distinguished Scientist program was his brain child and he found the money to make it happen. He’s been very accountable to the research community.”
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Vice Chancellor for Research Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., center, with UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer and Jennifer Larsen, M.D., associate vice chancellor for clinical research, after he was presented with an Honorary Scientist Laureate award on Monday. |
“He presented materials in a simplified way so the lay community would understand,” he said.
Under Dr. Rosenquist’s direction, UNMC’s research funding tripled from $30.9 million in 1999 to more than $115 million in 2010, and the research enterprise received a boost with the construction of the twin Durham research towers.
He also:
- Centralized UNMC’s research resources; and
- Helped grow UNMC’s international research program.
A prolific researcher himself, Dr. Rosenquist has secured more than $11 million in research funding for UNMC.
Upon stepping down as vice chancellor for research, Dr. Rosenquist will resume his position as professor of genetics, cell biology and anatomy at UNMC, and continue his research in congenital heart defects.
“I can think of no one more deserving than the individual who created the Scientist Laureate program,” said Jennifer Larsen, M.D., associate vice chancellor for clinical research, who will take over as vice chancellor for research on July 1. “Dr. Rosenquist is a highly respected scientist and as he has been the ‘engine’ behind the tremendous growth of research funding on campus for more than a decade.”