“We are so pleased to recognize some of the most notable research accomplishments of our faculty, who are dedicated to enhancing health through discovery,” said Dr. Leslie Parent, vice dean for research and graduate studies. “We are proud of the impact their work is having here in central Pennsylvania and around the world. The original research conducted at the Penn State College of Medicine advances medical progress and allows us to offer cutting-edge medical care.”
This year’s recipients were:
Distinguished Early Stage Investigator
This award recognizes the work of an assistant professor within five years of appointment to Penn State, demonstrating significant growth and impact in one or more subject areas.
Dr. Chandrika Gowda, assistant professor, pediatrics
Dr. Steven Hicks, assistant professor, pediatrics
Outstanding Collaborative Research
This award recognizes the research efforts of a group of investigators that transcend the traditional boundaries of academic disciplines to further the research mission.
Penn State Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science
Jonathan Foulds, professor, public health sciences
Joshua Muscat, professor, public health sciences
John Richie, professor, public health sciences
Reema Goel, research associate, public health sciences
Teresa Kern, assistant professor, public health sciences
Ryan Elias, associate professor, food science
Roger Anderson, University of Virginia
Alyse Fazzi, pharmacy
Steven Branstetter, associate professor, biobehavioral health
Marianne Messersmith Hillemeier, professor, health policy and administration; public health sciences; obstetrics and gynecology
Jiangang “Jason” Liao, professor, public health sciences
Junjia Zhu, assistant professor, public health sciences
Runze Li, professor, statistics; public health sciences
Susan McHale, distinguished professor, human development and family studies
Dr. Rebecca Bascom, professor, medicine
Dr. Ahmad Hameed, associate professor, psychiatry
Dr. Erika Saunders, professor and chair, psychiatry
Excellence in Education Research Award
This award recognizes scholarly inquiry and investigation related to education, educational processes and dissemination and practical application of research results.
Britta Thompson, professor, medicine
Outstanding Research Publication
This award recognizes a groundbreaking research publication highlighting originality and impact that has contributed to the advancement of research.
Dr. Andrew Foy, assistant professor, medicine; public health sciences
Comparative effectiveness of diagnostic testing strategies in emergency department patients with chest pain: An analysis of downstream testing, interventions and outcomes
Andrew J. Foy, Guodong Liu, William R. Davidson, Christopher Sciamanna, Douglas L. Leslie
JAMA Internal Medicine, March 2015
Dr. Steven Schiff, Brush Chair Professor, engineering science and mechanics; neurosurgery
Endoscopic Treatment versus Shunting for Infant Hydrocephalus in Uganda
Abhaya V. Kulkarni, Steven J. Schiff, Edith Mbabazi-Kabachelor, John Mugamba, Peter Ssenyonga, Ruth Donnelly, Jody Levenbach, Vishal Monga, Mallory Peterson, Michael MacDonald, Venkateswararao Cherukuri, Benjamin C. Warf
New England Journal of Medicine, December 2017
Career Research Excellence Award
This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of an investigator who has dedicated his or her career to enhancing the research mission through education, mentorship and collaborative efforts to further advance science.
Ian Zagon, distinguished professor, neural and behavioral sciences