Dr. Giovanni Piedimonte, vice president for research, whose office organized the awards’ selection and ceremony, said that 2020 was a record year in Tulane’s history for total research and federal research funding. “Even more remarkable, these records were set in the midst of the worst pandemic of the century.”
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robin Forman also took the stage. He said that although it’s the first time the university has held the event, the university’s researchers and their work are often discussed among colleagues.
“We’re sharing our sense of excitement and pride in your latest discoveries, ideas and creations, in your latest books and papers and latest collaborations,” Forman said.
He continued, “It’s great to have this chance to celebrate together and to celebrate all the ways in which you make our communities healthier, safer, happier, more resilient and more just.”
On the previous pages of this Tulanian are stories about the Research Hall of Fame, Spirit of Tulane, Innovation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award recipients.
Other 2021 awards and their recipients include:
Galaxy Award
This award recognizes substantial achievement of scholars/investigators who have a strong five-year history of funding and of enhancing Tulane’s research mission through scholarship, education, mentorship and collaborative efforts. LISA MORICI, School of Medicine, DR. LYDIA BAZZANO, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, HANK ASHBAUGH, School of Science and Engineering, and DOUGLAS HARRIS, School of Liberal Arts.
Funding Awards
These awards recognize a) the scholar/investigator in the STEM fields who has been awarded the largest combined dollar amount of funding for direct costs during the prior calendar year, and b) artist/scholar/investigators in the non-STEM fields who have been awarded the largest combined dollar amount of funding for direct costs during the prior calendar year. STEM: CHAD ROY, School of Medicine and Tulane National Primate Research Center. NON-STEM: MIA L. BAGNERIS, School of Liberal Arts, and ADRIAN ANAGNOST, School of Liberal Arts.
Convergence Award
This award recognizes Tulane scholars who successfully collaborate across schools, units and departments to surpass traditional academic disciplines and further the research mission. DR. STACY DRURY, School of Medicine, and JAY RAPPAPORT, School of Medicine and Tulane National Primate Research Center.
Student/Trainee Research Mentoring Award
This award recognizes exceptional research mentors. PATRICIA KISSINGER, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and JANA LIPMAN, School of Liberal Arts.
Rising Star Award
This award recognizes the work of assistant professors, within five years of appointment to Tulane, who demonstrate exceptional growth and impact in one or more research areas. COURTNEY BRYAN, School of Liberal Arts, MICHAEL NAGUIB, School of Science and Engineering, and MAEVE WALLACE, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
Citation Award
This award recognizes the Tulane author of the peer-reviewed article with the highest number of citations during the prior calendar year. The recipient must be the corresponding author and Tulane must be the corresponding institution. ROBERT GARRY, School of Medicine, for “The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2,” Nature, April 2020.
Publication Award
This award recognizes Tulane scholars/investigators with the best book and the best journal article published in the prior calendar year. BOOK: ANDREW HOROWITZ, School of Liberal Arts, for Katrina: A History, 1915-2015, Harvard University Press, published 2020. JOURNAL ARTICLE: J. QUINCY BROWN, School of Science and Engineering, for “Pulmonary and cardiac pathology in African American patients with COVID-19: an autopsy series from New Orleans,” Lancet Respiratory Medicine, July 2020.
