University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken has announced the 2014 winners of the university’s most prestigious awards for teaching, research and engagement, and UNMC’s Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D., is a recipient of the Innovation, Development and Engagement Award (IDEA).
The award recognizes faculty members who have extended their academic expertise beyond the boundaries of the university in ways that have enriched the broader community.
The university-wide awards recognize faculty whose work has had a significant impact on students, the university and the state.
See sidebar for complete list of winners
“Our faculty are the University of Nebraska’s greatest assets. We are incredibly fortunate to have faculty members on all four campuses who are dedicated to serving students and the people of Nebraska through high-quality teaching, important research and engagement with Nebraskans and their communities across the state,” Milliken said.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to recognize some of the exemplary achievements of our faculty over the past year – and I want to thank all University of Nebraska faculty for their service and commitment to what they do. It’s primarily because of them that the university is in the strong position it’s in today.”
Dr. Oleynikov is the Joseph and Richard Still Endowed Professor of Surgery in the UNMC Department of Surgery, director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery and director of the Center for Advanced Surgical Technology at UNMC.
He is widely published, has led multiple externally funded research projects, and is one of UNMC’s most internationally recognized scientists. In collaboration with UNL’s Shane Farritor, Ph.D., who also was recognized with an IDEA, Oleynikov has led a team that combines the experience of surgical practice with the exceptional problem-solving skills of the engineering profession.
The results have been a radical departure from existing surgical technology: the surgical robotic device they have developed is miniature, mobile, remotely controlled and fits entirely inside the abdominal cavity. The partnership between Drs. Oleynikov and Farritor has resulted in multiple patents and technology commercialization and is widely recognized as a model for cross-campus collaboration. Dr. Oleynikov’s lab is open to engineers and is actively used to promote the medical-engineering relationship to other faculty, donors and funding agencies.
The awards will be presented during a luncheon later this month.
Congratulations! Well-deserved award.