Research Technologist and lab manger:
Hamid R. Shahshahan (2013-):
o 2017 UNMC Chancellor’s Council “Silver U Award”.
Hamid R. Shahshahan (2013-):
o 2017 UNMC Chancellor’s Council “Silver U Award”.
o 2020 UNMC Chancellor’s Council “Gold U Award”.
Current Graduate Student:
Flobater I. Gawargi (2022-)
Flobater is a standout researcher known for his rapid progression, efficiency, and quick comprehension of complex concepts. His academic record boasts numerous publications and esteemed fellowships, including the UNMC Presidential Graduate Fellowship and an AHA Predoctoral Fellowship with a notable score under 4%. He's also repeatedly honored at the Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity (NPOD) with consecutive Best Poster Awards, underscoring his consistent research excellence.
Flobater I. Gawargi (2022-)
Flobater is a standout researcher known for his rapid progression, efficiency, and quick comprehension of complex concepts. His academic record boasts numerous publications and esteemed fellowships, including the UNMC Presidential Graduate Fellowship and an AHA Predoctoral Fellowship with a notable score under 4%. He's also repeatedly honored at the Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity (NPOD) with consecutive Best Poster Awards, underscoring his consistent research excellence.
o 2022: Received the Best Poster Award in Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity (NPOD) 8th Research Symposium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in September.
o 2022: Received 2nd Place in Graduate Poster Award in Midlands Society of Physiological Sciences Scientific Session, in October.
o 2023: Received “UNMC Presidential Graduate Fellow” Award, in June.
o 2023: Received “Research Innovation Award” of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in September.
o 2023: Received Best Poster Award in Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity (NPOD) 9th Research Symposium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in September.
o 2023: Received 1st Place in Graduate Poster Award in Midlands Society of Physiological Sciences Scientific Session, in October.
o 2023: Received AHA Predoctoral Fellowship (score 3.68%).
o 2024: Recipient of 2024 Research Recognition Award from the American Physiological Society Cell and Molecular Physiology section, honored at the American Physiology Summit.
Past Graduate Students:
Sumit Kar, PhD (2018-20):
Sumit's exceptional planning and execution skills enabled him to complete his PhD in just two and a half years, securing a leadership role in a company even before his defense. He now excels as the Associate Director of Translational Medicine at Revolution Medicines in San Francisco.
Sumit Kar, PhD (2018-20):
Sumit's exceptional planning and execution skills enabled him to complete his PhD in just two and a half years, securing a leadership role in a company even before his defense. He now excels as the Associate Director of Translational Medicine at Revolution Medicines in San Francisco.
o 2018: Poster Presentation Award, Nebraska Physiological Society Meeting, Omaha, NE
o 2019: 1st Prize in Poster Presentation Award, Midlands Society of Physiological Sciences meeting, Omaha, Omaha, NE
o 2019: 1st Place Winner at the NATIONAL LEVEL competition for “The Science Coalition’s Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge”. The Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge is a contest for undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in The Science Coalition (TSC) member institutions. Participants were asked to create a video to tell the story of why science matters and remind members of Congress that now is the time to invest in research for the future of the USA. The winner was decided by the votes of over 2,000 participants from across the country.
o Jointly received the 1st place in Graduate category by TSC.
https://www.sciencecoalition.org/2019/12/11/the-science-coalition-announces-winners-of-2019-fund-it-forward-student-video-challenge/
Link to the video: https://youtu.be/YUQTSIPw6b0
o 2020: Outstanding Graduate Oral Presentation, Midlands Society of Physiological Sciences, and Iowa Physiological Society meeting. His abstract was one of the four abstracts were selected for the “oral presentation”. Among the four-oral presentation, he was winner of the “Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Outstanding Graduate Oral Presentation”.
o Other recognitions: UNMC today:
https://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=24839
https://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=26638
o 2020: Received UNMC Program of Excellent Assistantship
Tyler N Kambis, PhD (2018-22):
Tyler, my first PhD student, has shown remarkable dedication and academic prowess, evidenced by his two national awards. He notably secured the UNMC Program of Excellent Assistantship and the prestigious F31 grant on his first attempts, a testament to his exceptional research capabilities. His work has been consistently recognized and honored within the academic community. Upon completing his PhD, he immediately received an offer as a Scientific and Medical Research Analyst with the Defense Health Program S & T at Knowesis Inc., showcasing his expertise and the high regard in which he is held in the scientific community.
Tyler, my first PhD student, has shown remarkable dedication and academic prowess, evidenced by his two national awards. He notably secured the UNMC Program of Excellent Assistantship and the prestigious F31 grant on his first attempts, a testament to his exceptional research capabilities. His work has been consistently recognized and honored within the academic community. Upon completing his PhD, he immediately received an offer as a Scientific and Medical Research Analyst with the Defense Health Program S & T at Knowesis Inc., showcasing his expertise and the high regard in which he is held in the scientific community.
o 2019: Tyler garnered national acclaim by winning 1st Place in "The Science Coalition’s Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge" in the Graduate Student category. This accolade was a joint effort with Sumit Kar, highlighting their exceptional collaborative skills and creativity in effectively communicating scientific concepts.
o 2019: Received UNMC Program of Excellent Assistantship
o 2019-22: Graduate student representative for UNMC’s chapter of the Student Alliance for Global Health
o 2019-22: Executive Board Member of Coalition Rx focused on providing policy briefs and biomedical perspective
o 2020-22: Member of UNMC Legislative Team for selection of priority state legislation.
o 2020-22: Member of American Physiological Society Cardiovascular Section Trainee Committee
o 2020-2021: PRESIDENT, UNMC student Delegate. Head student for State policy advocacy
o 2020: Tyler achieved second place in the prestigious Research! America 2020 Flash Talks Competition, a national event. He was among only 10 individuals selected, ranging from graduate students to young investigators. His engaging 3-minute talk, "Using the wrong fuel for the right job," drew a compelling parallel between global energy crises and the energy crisis in diabetic hearts. This forum featured renowned speakers like Dr. Sanjay Gupta from CNN, Dr. Anthony Fauci, a global health adviser, and NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins.
https://www.researchamerica.org/news-and-events/events/national-health-research-forum
https://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=26235
o Awarded a Research! America CIVIC ENGAGEMENT MICROGRANT to facilitate dialogue between public officials, community leaders, and the public around issues of common scientific concerns.
o 2021: Awarded a Ruth L Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Grant, the National Institutes of Health grant F31 in July.
o 2021: Recognized as a Shepherd University FINEST UNDER 40 ALUMNI:
https://www.shepherd.edu/suaa/alumnihighlights?fbclid=IwAR2ZYCR7R_8pGlFdVfuSZDAvLZOAd__oxcFrqfEClS1_0xGeIfpfWcVtro
o 2021: 1st Place in the Oral Presentations of Graduate Category in the 2021 Midlands Society of Physiological Sciences Scientific session.
o 2021: Recognized UNMC “GRADUATE STUDENT OF DISTINCTION” based on appointment to a standing committee of a national society- American Physiology Society, and national fellowship, NIH F31.
Past Postdoctoral Fellows:
Vishalakshi Chavali, Ph.D.
Vishalakshi Chavali, Ph.D.
o 2013: Finalist for the James Willerson Clinical Award Lecture, Cardiovascular Forum for Promoting Centers of Excellence and Young Investigators Conference, KY
Shyam Sundar Nandi, Ph.D.
o 2015: Best Poster Award in Translational Medicine, Annual Meeting of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences: North American Section, NE
o 2017: UNMC Postdoctoral Excellence in Research Award https://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=21046&pk_campaign=email&pk_kwd=Dr_Nandi_receives_postdoctural_research_award
o 2017: “Research recognition Award” from American Physiological Society Cardiovascular Section (APS, CV section), based on Experimental Biology meeting abstract and scientific achievements.
o 2018: Caroline tum Suden/Frances Hellebrandt Professional Opportunity Award from APS, CV Section, based on Experimental Biology meeting abstract and scientific achievements
Priyanka Prathipati, Ph.D.
o 2015: Oral Presentation Award, Nebraska Physiological Society meeting, Omaha, NE
Bryan T. Hackfort, Ph.D.
o 2015: Best Poster Presentation Award, Nebraska Physiological Society meeting, Omaha, NE
Santosh K. Yadav, Ph.D.
o 2018: Poster Presentation Award, Nebraska Physiological Society Meeting, Omaha, NE
o 2019: 1st Prize in Poster Presentation Award, Midlands Society of Physiological Sciences meeting, Omaha, NE
o 2019-present: Elected, Vice President of UNMC Postdoctoral Association
o 2020-21: Elected, Council member of the Midlands Society of Physiological Sciences.
M.S. Students:
Camille Brunson
Jessica Harris
Leiberh Noel Diaz
Camille Brunson
Jessica Harris
Leiberh Noel Diaz
SUMMER STUDENTS
Patrick Marta, High School Summer Trainee
o 2017: Poster presentation Award, Nebraska Physiological Society meeting, Nebraska
Noah Needle, BS Summer Trainee
o 2023: Oral Presentation Award, Midlands Society of Physiological Sciences meeting, Nebraska
