Dr. Case named distinguished graduate student mentor

Adam Case, Ph.D., has been honored with the Graduate Student Association’s 2020 Distinguished Graduate Student Mentor Award.

Dr. Case, assistant professor of cellular & integrative physiology and director of the Physiological Environment Research Facility at UNMC, was presented the honor at Graduate Studies’ May 9 virtual convocation and commencement ceremonies.

“Being a junior faculty member, I never expected to be awarded such a prestigious honor,” he said. “It is really humbling to know that the hard work and effort I have put into teaching, working with and counseling students has actually made a difference in their lives.”

The award criteria focus on mentorship in the areas of research and critical thinking, communication skills and career preparation.

One of the student nominations described Dr. Case as “a rising tide that raises all boats through formal student mentorship that emphasizes scientific, professional, and personal improvement.”

Another said, “His palpable dedication to science, academia, and students pushes me to hold a higher standard for myself. He makes every effort to push his trainees toward their personalized success.”

Dr. Case is known for his tireless pursuit of a personal mission to improve the scientific presentation skills of graduate students at UNMC. He annually offers a graduate course with the objective of developing the art and science of presentation skills across a variety of scenarios ranging from a poster presentation at a conference to a lay-public talk at the Omaha Public Library.

Scott Mulder, president of the GSA, said, “Dr. Adam Case was selected as this year’s recipient of the GSA’s Distinguished Graduate Student Mentor Award in recognition of not only his mentoring skills but also his dedication and enthusiasm for graduate student training across the spectrum.”

“I believe mentoring is the most important component of being faculty in academia,” Dr. Case said, “and it is also the most rewarding.”