Research Excellence Awards

• Gregory Paul Lenardo Basic Science Award For Discoveries in Cellular and Molecular Biology

  Awarded for discoveries of fundamental cellular, molecular, or genetic processes using model systems that advance scientific understanding of biological processes in higher organisms.

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  • 2024 Awardee

    Benjamin Lee

    2020 NIH Oxford Scholar

    

    2024 Awardee

    Benjamin Lee

    2020 NIH Oxford Scholar

    LinkedIn

    Endowed by NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program Co-Founder, Dr. Michael Lenardo, in loving memory of his brother, Gregory Paul Lenardo
    We are delighted to announce Benjamin Lee as the recipient of the 2024 Gregory Paul Lenardo Basic Science Award for Discoveries in Cellular and Molecular Biology. This prestigious award recognizes groundbreaking discoveries in fundamental cellular, molecular, or genetic processes using model systems, advancing our scientific understanding of biological processes in higher organisms.
    
    About the Award
    The Gregory Paul Lenardo Basic Science Award is dedicated to honoring researchers who have made significant contributions to our understanding of cellular and molecular biology. Endowed by Dr. Michael Lenardo in loving memory of his brother, Gregory Paul Lenardo, the award reflects the commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in scientific research.
    
    Meet the Winner: Benjamin Lee
    Benjamin Lee has developed a pioneering “big data” strategy for viroid discovery, utilizing a completely novel approach that has significantly impacted the field. His groundbreaking work, published in Cell, has revolutionized our understanding of the number, diversity, and host ranges of viroid-like agents.
    
    Key Achievements:
    
    Innovative Approach: Benjamin’s novel strategy for viroid discovery leverages big data, offering a fresh perspective and new methodologies in the field.
    Significant Impact: His research has dramatically expanded our knowledge of viroid-like agents, including their diversity and host interactions.
    Accessible Tools: Benjamin has created a comprehensive database and tools that are accessible to the wider scientific community, promoting further research and discovery.
    Published Work: His influential findings have been published in Cell, one of the most prestigious journals in the field of molecular biology.
    Future Contributions: Benjamin has been invited to submit a review on viroid discovery for the journal Nucleic Acids Research, indicating the high regard in which his work is held.
    Recognizing Excellence
    “I am deeply honored to receive the Gregory Paul Lenardo Basic Science Award. This research would not have been possible without the generous support of the NIH Oxford-Cambridge program and the tireless mentorship of my advisors at both NIH and Oxford, Eugene Koonin and Peter Simmonds. My work has opened a whole host of questions that I am eager to explore in my upcoming fellowship back at NIH in Bethesda. We have now shown that the world of viroids and viroid-like RNAs is much bigger than was previously known, but the full extent and diversity of these agents is clearly yet to be explored,” shared Benjamin.
    
    Benjamin is currently focused on completing his degree and his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and his innovative contributions make him a deserving recipient of the Gregory Paul Lenardo Basic Science Award.
    
    IBRA and the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program extend heartfelt congratulations to Benjamin Lee for his outstanding achievements. We also commend the other nominees, Hannah Duffy and Matthew Berns, for their exceptional contributions to the field of cellular and molecular biology.
    
    Stay tuned for more updates and news on groundbreaking research from the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program. For more information on Benjamin Lee’s work and the Gregory Paul Lenardo Basic Science Award, please visit our website.
  • 2023 Awardee

    Mario Shammas, PhD

  • 2022 Awardee

    Jacob Gordon, PhD

  • 2021 Awardee

    Joseph Roney, PhD

  • 2020 Awardee

    Shannon McKie, PhD

  • 2019 Awardee

    Nicholas Ader, PhD

  • 2018 Awardee

    Thomas Reid Alderson, PhD

  • 2017 Awardee

    Emma Sherling, PhD

  • 2016 Awardee

    Michael Chen, PhD

  • 2015 Awardee

    Arienne Richard, PhD

  • 2014 Awardee

    Katie Warner, PhD

  • 2013 Awardee

    Joel Meyerson, PhD

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• Dr. Richard And Vera Siegel Translational Award for Advances in Medical Science

  Awarded for advances in the field of medical science that move fundamental discoveries from the bench to the bedside.

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  • 2024 Awardee

    Sooraj Achar

  • 2023 Awardee

    Marya Sabir, PhD

  • 2022 Awardee

    Yifan Zhou, PhD

  • 2021 Awardee

    Katherine Masih, MD, PhD

  • 2020 Awardee

    Maggie Westwater, PhD

  • 2019 Awardee

    Zinan Zhang, MD, PhD

  • 2018 Awardee

    Craig Pearson, MD, PhD

  • 2017 Awardee

    Joshua Bernstock MD, PhD

  • 2016 Awardee

    Brennan Decker, MD, PhD

  • 2015 Awardee

    Baltazar Zavala, MD, PhD

  • 2014 Awardee

    Christopher Wassif, PhD

  • 2013 Awardee

    Stephanie Mok, PhD

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• John and Alice O’shea Innovation Award for Novel Solutions in Biology or Medicine

  Awarded for discoveries of unusual importance, application, or magnitude that make use of new or unusual methods, paradigms, or approaches to solve important problems in biology or medicine.

  Awardee List
  • 2024 Awardee

    Asmaysinh Gharia, PhD

  • 2023 Awardee

    Stephen Gadomski, PhD

  • 2022 Awardee

    Sooraj Achar

  • 2021 Awardee

    Lawrence Wang, MD, PhD

  • 2021 Awardee

    Olive Jung, PhD

  • 2020 Awardee

    Michael Metrick, MD, PhD

  • 2019 Awardee

    Michael Fernandopulle, MD, PhD

  • 2018 Awardee

    Jakob Seidlitz, PhD

  • 2017 Awardee

    Adam Steel, PhD

  • 2016 Awardee

    Steven Witte, MD, PhD

  • 2015 Awardee

    Michael Gormally, MD, PhD

  • 2014 Awardee

    Prantik Kundu, PhD

  • 2013 Awardee

    Christopher Toepfer, PhD

• The Roy and Diana Vagelos Leadership Award

  The recipient of the Award is a role model for their peers and possess the ability to inspire others to be better and do better by encouraging creativity, cooperation, promoting respect for others, emphasizing collaboration, demonstrating initiative, and adapting to new and changing needs and circumstances. The outstanding Leader has a keen sense of organization and embodies leadership in all that they endeavor, combining clarity in thought with humility in character.

  Awardee List
  • 2024 Awardee

    Hallie Gaitsch

  • 2023 Awardee

    Taylor Farley, PhD

  • 2022 Awardee

    Katherine Masih, MD, PhD

  • 2021 Awardee

    Yasemin Cole

  • 2020 Awardee

    Lauren Wedekind, PhD

• Building a Better Community Through Service Award

  The recipient of the Building a Better Community Through Service Award honors an individual who continuously places significant importance on the well-being of their community. Committed to social responsibility, they invest their time and talent to elevate and inspire others and, in doing so, uplift the community as a whole.

  Awardee List
  • 2024 Awardee

    Anagha Krishnan and Hannah Dada

  • 2023 Awardee

    Linh Pham

  • 2022 Awardee

    Alex Waldman, PhD

  • 2021 Awardee

    Kritika Singh, PhD

  • 2020 Awardee

    Hannah Mason, PhD