This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on March 9 for UNMC’s Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.
New Investigator
The New Investigator Award is given 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 had to demonstrate scholarly activity, such as publishing their research and/or presenting their findings at national conventions.
- Name: Micah Schott, PhD
- Title: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Joined UNMC: August 2021
- Hometown: Kulm, North Dakota
Please describe your research focus in three words or less:
Lipid droplet metabolism
Why is research important in the world today?
Lipid droplets form the basis for many different types of diseases, especially metabolic diseases such as fatty liver, obesity and cancer. However, new therapies will require more mechanistic knowledge regarding lipid droplet formation and turnover. Therefore, discovery-based research is needed to uncover new mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level.
My research will make a difference because:
Our main goal is that the research we do will lead to new therapies that alleviate metabolic disease. At the same time, I find it intrinsically motivating to study how cells orchestrate intricate metabolic pathways within a complex surrounding environment.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
A friend of mine started a painting business by himself and grew it into a major regional brand with many employees. I asked what his key to success was, and he told me that the skills that took him from point A to point B were not the same skills that took him from point B to point C. I think his message was that we need to remain open to learning new skills, new techniques and new approaches if we are going to grow our influence and stay relevant.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- I grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota.
- My wife Kimberly is a talented pianist, and we have four daughters: Elsie (11), Lucy (8) and twins Evelyn and Esther (6).
- In some of my previous careers, I have been a farmer, a college admissions counselor and a music leader at a local church.
Well deserved, Congratulations Micah!
It is wonderful to have you as a colleague Micah! Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
Congratulations.
Congratulations Micah!
Congrats Micah.
Congrats Dr. Schott!
Congratulations, Micah!