Tony Hollingsworth, Ph.D., of the University of Nebraska Medical Center Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, has been named UNMC’s sixth Scientist Laureate, the highest honor UNMC bestows on researchers.
Dr. Hollingsworth, professor and director of pancreatic cancer research, studies the biology of pancreatic tumor progression in an effort to find new diagnostics and therapies for pancreatic cancer. He is co-investigator of a National Cancer Institute $5.3 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant in pancreatic cancer.
He was honored along with 22 other researchers named UNMC Distinguished Scientist or New Investigator Award winners for 2011. Dr. Hollingsworth was a Distinguished Scientist in 2006 and 2010.
"Dr. Hollingsworth has been at the forefront of his field for many years and is an international figure in the world of pancreatic cancer research," said Jennifer Larsen, M.D., vice chancellor for research. "His work provides hope to those who are faced with one of the most lethal diseases known to mankind."
The Distinguished Scientist award, which is sponsored by the UNMC chancellor — recognizes researchers who have been among the most productive scientists in the country during the past five years.
The New Investigator award goes 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 must demonstrate scholarly activity such as publishing their research and/or presenting their findings at national conventions.
A campus ceremony will be held later this spring to recognize the award recipients.
The 2011 Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator Award winners are listed below (* denotes New Investigator Award recipient).
College of Dentistry
Gregory Oakley, Ph.D.*
College of Pharmacy
Tatiana Bronich, Ph.D.
College of Medicine
Michael Boska, Ph.D.
Pawel Ciborowski, Ph.D.
Maneesh Jain, Ph.D.*
Georgette Kanmogne, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Tricia LeVan, Ph.D.*
Eyal Margalit, M.D., Ph.D.*
Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D., Ph.D.
Iraklis Pipinos, M.B.B.S.
Jill Poole, M.D.*
Debra Romberger, M.D.
Paul Sorgen, Ph.D.
Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S.
Guangshun Wang, Ph.D.*
College of Nursing
Michele Balas, Ph.D.*
Marlene Cohen, Ph.D.
College of Public Health
Preethy Nayar, Ph.D. *
Jane Meza, Ph.D.
Todd Wyatt, Ph.D.
Eppley Institute
Mayumi Naramura, M.D.*
Munroe-Meyer Institute
Wayne Fisher, Ph.D.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.