UNMC names new Faculty Diversity Fund recipients

The first three recipients of UNMC Faculty Diversity Fund award funding in 2023 were named in December.

Funding began Jan. 1 for:

• Brian Armstrong, MD, associate professor, ophthalmology, UNMC College of Medicine. Dr. Armstrong’s funding will support a keratoconus screening program to estimate the prevalence of keratoconus in the Hispanic and immigrant communities within the region, estimate the incidence of new cases of keratoconus by prospective monitoring of at-risk individuals and create a referral pathway by which new cases can be effectively treated to prevent the later need for complex corneal (transplant) surgery.
• Jasmine Marcelin, MD, associate professor, infectious diseases, UNMC College of Medicine. Dr. Marcelin’s funding will support the development of an Infectious Diseases Equity Accelerator (IDEA) Workgroup focusing on advancing and accelerating scholarship related to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the field of infectious diseases and health care in general.
• Ali Nawshad, PhD, professor, oral biology, UNMC College of Dentistry. Dr. Nawshad’s funding will support his research aimed at understanding the role of maternal cigarette smoking in cleft palate formation, using the latest 10X genomics gene sequencing technology to identify essential signature genetic and molecular signature transcriptome of genes that are dysregulated in orofacial cleft due to cigarette smoking.

There will be another round of funding later this year.

Gary Yee, PharmD, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the grants and the projects they fund are intended as a commitment to achieving diversity goals within the university. The goal for the funding is to assist in the hiring or retention of diverse faculty at UNMC. The funding is for faculty development and research; it cannot be used to support salaries, compensate for revenue losses or replace other funding.

Eligibility is limited to the recruitment of new faculty and/or retention of current faculty members. Criteria for eligibility include both of the following:

• Applicant/nominee contributes diverse cultural experiences, background or special talents that lead to a richer and more diverse campus environment that can be evaluated on an individual basis; and
• Applicant/nominee must demonstrate a track record of commitment to the service of underserved communities and/or patients.

College or departmental funds that are released as a result of the receipt of a diversity award are expected to be re-invested in the faculty member’s research or other scholarly activity as a means of advancing his/her professional development.

Diversity funds may be awarded for up to $50,000 per year for up to two years. Funding for a second year will be contingent on submission of an annual progress report

Request for applications is emailed to all faculty members around March 1 and Sept 1. Applications are reviewed by a review committee that includes faculty from each college.  

The deadline for applications is April 15 and Oct. 15 of each year, with awards beginning July 1 and Jan. 1, respectively.