Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis celebrated rising investigators at the First R01 Celebration, marking a significant milestone for scientists embarking on their independent research careers.
The event honored recipients of their first R01 research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research grants represent the NIH’s recognition of investigators’ rigorous, innovative proposals and confidence in the impact of the research.
“The path to the first R01 grant is demanding and highly competitive,” said Mark Lowe, MD, PhD, vice chancellor for research and the Harvey R. Colten Professor of Pediatric Science at WashU Medicine, to the honorees gathered on Oct. 8 at Moore Auditorium for a formal celebratory program. “Success requires rigorous planning, a compelling research hypothesis and significant preliminary data. Each of you has met and likely exceeded the expectations of your study sections. Your first R01 is an example of what you can do through dedication, innovation and relentless pursuit of scientific excellence.”
The celebration was organized and sponsored by the Office of Faculty Promotions and Career Development and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.
“These awards demonstrate the high caliber and impact of your research as recognized by your peers and the wider scientific community,” said Renée Shellhaas, MD, senior associate dean for faculty promotions and career development and the David T. Blasingame Professor of Neurology.
David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, the George and Carol Bauer Dean of WashU Medicine and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor, congratulated the honorees, and Iris Dickhoff-Peper, PhD, assistant vice chancellor for research, presented on post-award processes to support a growing research portfolio.
The program concluded with a Q&A panel composed of senior and rising investigators, including William G. Powderly, MD, the J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine, co-director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Larry J. Shapiro Director of the Institute for Public Health; Melanie Fields, MD, associate professor of pediatrics and of neurology; and Harrison Gabel, PhD, associate professor of neuroscience.
First R01 Celebration honorees:
- Tao Che, PhD, Anesthesiology
- Abby Ling-Lee Cheng, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery
- Jessika Contreras, MD, Radiation Oncology
- Nicole Marie Gilbert, PhD, Pediatrics
- Gabriel E. Haller, PhD, Neurosurgery
- Amjad Horani, MD, Pediatrics
- Jing Wang Hughes, MD, PhD, Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research
- Alexxai V. Kravitz, PhD, Psychiatry
- Vivia V. McCutcheon, PhD, Psychiatry
- Naoka Murakami, MD, PhD, Medicine, Nephrology
- Stephanie Markovina, MD, PhD, Radiation Oncology
- Hysell Viviana Oviedo, PhD, Neuroscience
- Russell K. Pachynski, MD, Medicine, Oncology
- Cyrus A. Raji, MD, PhD, Radiology
- David A. Rosen, MD, PhD, Pediatrics
- Dmitri Samovski, PhD, Medicine, Geriatrics and Nutritional Science
- Chihiro Sato, PhD, Neurology
- Jason D. Ulrich, PhD, Neurology
- Diana J. Whalen, PhD, Psychiatry
- Elizabeth L. Yanik, PhD, Orthopaedic Surgery
- Christian W. Zemlin, PhD, Surgery
- Jin Zhang, PhD, Radiation Oncology
Other faculty members who have recently received first R01 or equivalent awards:
- Erik R. Dubberke, MD, Medicine, Infectious Diseases
- Angela Hirbe, MD, PhD, Medicine, Oncology
- Andrew Findlay, MD, Neurology
- Carmen Halabi, MD, PhD, Pediatrics
- Ashley Steed, MD, PhD, Pediatrics
- Michael H. Johnson, MD, Surgery
- William C. Chapman, Jr., MD, Surgery
- Stephanie Perkins, MD, Radiation Oncology
- Kristen Sanfilippo, MD, Medicine, Hematology and Oncology
- Aimilia Gastounioti, PhD, Radiology