Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Annual Awards!
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of this year’s Annual Award winners.
The Thomas Collum Butler Award went to two outstanding student scholars, Emily Fennel (Lee Graves lab) and Taylor Enrico (Mike Emanuele lab). Both recipients have been described by nominators as leaders in their respective fields, insightful, and generous with their time. They were praised by their nominators as rigorous, highly collaborative and effective scientists.
The Pharmacology Student/Postdoc Scholar Award went to Can Cao, a postdoctoral fellow in Bryan Roth’s lab. Cao recently published a first author Nature paper on the structure, function and pharmacology of human itch receptors. His nominators also cited his willingness and eagerness to help others and share his expert understanding of pharmacology. The second winner was Ana Cartaya, a 5th year grad student in the Ed Bahnson lab. Cartaya recently published a first author paper describing a macrophage encapsulated nano particle delivery system for activating the antioxidant response via a transcription factor termed Nrf2. She also contributed to department DEI efforts by co-organizing the Curtis Harper Lecture, through her active involvement in the UNC SACNAS chapter, and through active recruitment of graduate students to UNC.
The Pharmacology Research Staff Excellence Award went to two individuals. Leah Oswalt is a research technician in the Jonathan Schisler lab, who received an astonishing 22 nominations. Nominator comments highlighted her positive attitude and encouragement, her efforts to build a community where the students felt welcome, and through her kindness and patience as they learned research techniques. The second award went to Felix Olivares-Quintero in the Gary Johnson Lab. One nominee wrote that he is generous with his time and often helps others to design and troubleshoot their experiments. He is a kind and dedicated scientist who is always ready to assist others.
The Pharmacology Service and Outreach Award went to Kaitlan Smith, also of the Schisler lab. Smith cherishes her heritage as a member of the Lumbee tribe, and prioritizes service to the communities and people around her. As noted by one nominator, “she has made me feel so comfortable to take risks, try new things, ask questions, and continuously embodies the researcher, student, and person I strive to be. My success would not be possible without my mentor.”
The Pharmacology Admin Staff Excellence Award went to Candace Lubar, who always goes beyond the call of duty to help prepare grant budgets and progress reports and does so with calm efficiency and good cheer. As one nominator wrote “Throughout Covid, Candace has been a real pillar of strength. It is hard to imagine how any one person can cover all the ground she does…. She has a tough, high pressure job and does it beautifully for us.”
Finally, the Chair’s Award went to Terry Kenakin. As course director for PHCO701/702, he had a major role in restructuring these foundational courses, and showed genuine leadership by adapting instruction to a virtual and hybrid format and navigating all of the obstacles that come with attempting to teach and learn during a global pandemic. As noted by one nominator, “I believe his efforts are, at least in part, responsible for the large influx of interest in our department from BBSP students. It is also clear that the reworking of 701 and 702 (I will note here that I took 701 while working as a technician in the old format – the difference is quite stark) has better helped prepare those who join our department for their qualifying exams and scientific endeavors more generally.”
We wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday and New Year!