Kenneth Bayles, Ph.D., professor in the UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology and associate vice chancellor for basic science research, has been named the 12th UNMC Scientist Laureate.
The award is the highest honor UNMC bestows upon researchers.
Dr. Bayles will be honored along with 18 other researchers recently named UNMC Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator Award winners for 2017.
“Ken is exceptional for having established a strong research base in Staphylococcus aureus research and then building upon it with new programs in emerging infectious diseases and novel therapeutics,” said Steven Hinrichs, M.D., chair of the UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology. “His program is recognized world-wide for excellence and for creating resources for the international research community.
“Ken also is a leader of our biopreparedness effort involving multiple partners in the Department of Defense, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services,” Dr. Hinrichs said.
Dean of the UNMC College of Medicine Brad Britigan, M.D., said Dr. Bayles was very deserving of this recognition.
“As someone whose own research is in the field of microbial pathogenesis, I can say with certainty that Dr. Bayles’ work places him among the world’s leaders in the study of staphylococcal disease,” Dr. Britigan said. “His recent efforts in leading our efforts to develop an interdisciplinary research program in emerging pathogens and highly infectious agents has greatly benefitted UNMC and its stature in the microbial research and public health community.”
“Dr. Bayles has been instrumental even beyond his own successful research program in growing collaborative research and education programs for UNMC with other University of Nebraska campuses, and new partners like USAMRIID and national laboratories,” said Vice Chancellor for Research Jennifer Larsen, M.D. “These include his leadership in the Center for Global Health Security, the Drug Development Pipeline and the Bioinformatics Research Education Pipeline, expanding opportunities for new research funding and attracting new students to our campus.”
Other award winners are:
Distinguished Scientist Award
This year’s recipients are:
The Distinguished Scientist Award
The Distinguished Scientist Award — which is sponsored by the chancellor — recognizes researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years.
- Siddappa Byrareddy, Ph.D., College of Medicine
- Amar Singh, Ph.D., College of Medicine
- Kathleen Hanna, Ph.D., College of Nursing
- Corey Hopkins, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy
- Joseph Vetro, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy
- Paul Estabrooks, Ph.D., College of Public Health
- Jixin Dong, Ph.D., Eppley Institute
- Wayne Stuberg, Ph.D., Munroe-Meyer Institute
- Sam Sanderson, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy (posthumous award)
New Investigator Awards
The New Investigator Award
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 and/or presenting their findings at national conventions.
This year’s recipients are:
- Kristina Bailey, M.D., College of Medicine
- Keely Buesing, M.D., College of Medicine
- Walter Scott Campbell, Ph.D., College of Medicine
- Jason MacTaggart, M.D., College of Medicine
- MP (Moorthy) Ponnusamy, Ph.D., College of Medicine
- Sowmya Yelamanchili, Ph.D., College of Medicine
- Aaron Mohs, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy
- John-Martin Lowe, Ph.D., College of Public Health
- Prakash Radhakrishnan, Ph.D., Eppley Institute
Ceremony in February
A campus ceremony will be held Feb. 13 in the Durham Research Center Auditorium to recognize the award recipients, as well as the winner of the Community Service to Research Award, who will be announced later. A reception will follow.
Ken, congratulations. Well deserved.
Congratulations to all the award recipients!
Ken, Congratulations on receiving this prestigious award and recognition. I also would like to recognize and thank you for always taking your valuable time and expertise when working with students associated with the International Student Research Forum. Rarely are you unable to give us your valuable time.. The majority of the time you say, "lets do it"!
WELL DESERVED Honor!!
Congratulations Dr. Bayles!! Well-deserved honor.
Congrats, Ken! Great choice!
Way to go Ken! A wonderful and well-deserved honor.
Congratulations Dr. Bayles!!
Great news, Dr. Bayles. Congratulations!
Ken, Congratulations! I know how passionate you are with your research and this provides evidence of your success. Well deserved!!
Congratulations, Dr. Bayles!
Ken, So well deserved. You have done so much to grow UNMC and then all your work to help NSRI too.
Congratulations, Ken. Well-deserved!!