Research Awards

The department gives research awards annually to recognize the significant contributions made by department faculty, researchers/scientists, and trainees toward advancing the field of medicine in basic, translational, clinical and health services research.

Trainee awards are presented annually in June, and faculty awards are presented in the fall. 

Questions? Contact researchservices@medicine.wisc.edu.

Awarded to Department of Medicine faculty who have made significant research contributions toward advancing the field of medicine. These awards recognize novel and significant research that will result in impactful advancements of the medical field. Successful candidates will have served as role models for their colleagues by maintaining high standards of excellence and professionalism with their own discipline and the greater institution and demonstrated leadership skills and professionalism.

The nomination process for 2023-24 is now open.

Junior Faculty Eligibility

Faculty with the rank of assistant professor or instructor who have at least a 50% appointment in the Department of Medicine and >0.5 FTE are eligible for nomination. An award may be given only once to a faculty member in the same category.

Senior Faculty Eligibility

Faculty with the rank of associate professor or above who have at least a 50% appointment in the Department of Medicine and >0.5 FTE are eligible for nomination. An award may be given only once to a faculty member in the same category.

Nomination Requirements

Any University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) faculty member can submit a nomination. Self-nominations are also accepted. Nominations require:

1. Nomination letter (1-2 pages) including innovation/impact statement
2. Copy of the candidate’s CV (including publications, and research funding)
3. Highest impact publication from the nominee

Once nominees are identified, the DOM Office of Research Services (ORS) will seek endorsement of the nominations by the candidates’ division chiefs. 

Submitting a Nomination

Nominations are due using the submission form by 11:59 pm, Sunday, August 25, 2024.

Award Selection Process

The Research Education Committee reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the Research Council, which will finalize award decisions by late October.

Past Recipients

2023-24

• Adam Konopka, PhD, MS – Outstanding Junior Faculty
• Jeniel Nett, MD, PhD – Outstanding Senior Faculty

2022-23

• Jacqueline Kruser, MD – Outstanding Junior Faculty
• Sterling Johnson, PhD – Outstanding Senior Faculty

2021-22

• Meghan Brennan, MD, MS – Outstanding Junior Faculty
• Rozalyn Anderson, PhD – Outstanding Senior Faculty

2020-21

• Matthew Merrins, PhD – Outstanding Junior Faculty (formerly known as Rising Star Award)
• Amy Kind, MD, PhD – Outstanding Senior Faculty

The awards are designed to honor faculty mentors in the Department of Medicine who support and contribute to the research career development and advancement of other faculty members and learners (i.e., undergraduates, medical students, residents and fellows).

Awards will be given to faculty members who:

• Actively engage in a clinical or graduate training program in the Department of Medicine, UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) or the University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Involve mentees in publications, grants, and conferences, as well as readily share knowledge of such opportunities
• Include mentees in networking activities with other professionals
• Display evidence of mentees completing their defined projects (e.g., grants, publications, promotional goals)
• Are recognized scholars with demonstrated success in their own area of expertise
• Actively promote principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion

The nomination process for 2023-24 is now open.

Junior Faculty Eligibility

Any faculty/adjunct faculty member with the rank of assistant professor or instructor, including VA faculty, or any advanced practice provider (APP) affiliated with the Department of Medicine who have at least a 50% appointment in the department and >0.5 FTE are eligible for nomination. An award may be given only once to a faculty mentor in the same category.

Senior Faculty Eligibility

Any faculty/adjunct faculty member with the rank of associate professor or above, including VA faculty, or any advanced practice provider (APP) affiliated with the Department of Medicine who have at least a 50% appointment in the department and >0.5 FTE are eligible for nomination. An award may be given only once to a faculty mentor in the same category.

Nomination Requirements

Any SMPH faculty/adjunct faculty member, advanced practice provider or learner (i.e., student, resident or fellow) may submit nominations. Self-nominations are also accepted.

Nominations require:

1. The candidate’s updated CV that includes a table of mentees and their current positions.
2. At least one, but no more than three letters, in support of the candidate. At least one letter should be from a former or current mentee. Letters should:
   1. Include a testimonial of how the candidate has mentored and shaped the careers of his/her mentees in terms of specific behaviors, interactions, accomplishments, and their related significance
   2. Address the criteria in the award’s description (see above)
   3. Provide an attestation the nominee has consistently demonstrated highly professional and ethical conduct in their work and interactions with others during their careers
   4. Be a maximum of a half-page in length

Submitting a Nomination

Nominations are due using the submission form by 11:59 pm, Sunday, August 25, 2024.

Award Selection Process

The Research Education Committee reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the Research Council, which will finalize award decisions by late October.

Past Recipients

2023-24

• Jacqueline Kruser, MD, MS – Jr. Excellence in Research Mentoring
• Joshua Lang, MD, MS – Sr. Excellence in Research Mentoring

2022-23

• David Kosoff, MD – Jr. Excellence in Research Mentoring
• Vincent Cryns, MD – Sr. Excellence in Research Mentoring

2021-22

• Jane Churpek, MD, MS – Jr. Excellence in Research Mentoring
• Christie Bartels, MD, MS – Sr. Excellence in Research Mentoring

2020-21

• Freddy Caldera, DO, PhD – Jr. Excellence in Research Mentoring
• Barbara Bendlin, PhD – Sr. Excellence in Research Mentoring

Awarded to DOM fellows and an internal medicine resident who have made significant research contributions toward advancing the field of medicine during their respective training programs. The review committee will assess impact by evidence of scholarly productivity (e.g., manuscripts, abstracts, regional and national presentations).

The nomination process will open in spring 2025.

Fellow Eligibility

Department of Medicine fellows (ACGME and non-ACGME) at time of nomination. MDs and PhDs will be considered separately.

Resident Eligibility

Nominees must be a DOM internal medicine resident at the time of nomination.

Nomination Requirements

Any University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) faculty member may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are also accepted. Nominations require:

1. A testimonial nomination of 500 words or less that includes a summary of the work conducted and a description of its innovation and impact on the broader field/community
2. A copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae (CV) that includes publications and history of research funding
3. The name of the nominee's research mentor

Submitting a Nomination

Nominations for 2023-24 are closed.

Award Selection Process

The Research Education Committee reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the Research Council, which finalizes award decisions.

Past Awardees

2023-24

• Lauren Banaszak, MD - Fellow
• Jason Moody, PhD, MS - Fellow
• Mariana Garcia Arango, MD - Resident

2022-23

• Naga Dharmavaram, MD - Fellow
• Yanjun Gao, PhD - Fellow
• Gabrielle Waclawik, MD, MPH - Resident

2021-22

• Cara Green, PhD - Fellow
• Marina Sharifi, MD, PhD - Fellow
• Trevor Schell, MD - Resident

2020-21

• Nan Sethakorn, MD - Fellow
• Lindsay Taylor, MD, MS - Fellow
• Jessica Musto, MD - Fellow
• Dana Ley, MD - Resident