The Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Max Kurz, Ph.D., has been named a Distinguished Scientist for 2018 by the UNMC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.
The Distinguished Scientist Award — which is sponsored by Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. — recognizes researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years.
Dr. Kurz and other award-winning colleagues will be recognized at a March 5 event.
Dr. Kurz also was honored as a New Investigator in 2015. At that time, he described his research:
“The primary focus of my research is to further our understanding of how children and adults with neurologic insults (i.e., cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis) plan their movements and produce motor actions,” Dr. Kurz said. “I use a synergistic approach of brain imaging and advanced biomechanical analysis techniques. This innovative approach allows for me to quantify the link between the brain’s activity and movement.”
“Dr. Kurz is an accomplished researcher recognized nationally for his scientific contributions linking CNS magnetoencephalography findings to sensory and motor planning deficits in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP),” said Sandy Willett, director of physical therapy at MMI and Dr. Kurz’s supervisor. “His body of work is transforming how clinicians think about neurorehabilitation for individuals with cerebral palsy and driving clinical translational research strategies for those living with the movement disorder.”
MMI Director Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., said:
“He is an amazing scientist, extremely creative researcher and a dream faculty member. It is a pleasure and privilege having him be part of the MMI family. For him and his laboratory the best is yet to come — for Max the sky is the limit.”
Dr. Kurz also was awarded the UNMC Outstanding Mentor of Graduate Students Award in 2018 by the UNMC Faculty Senate.