Kosman, Knight Earn Top SUNY Rank as Distinguished Professors
Published May 14, 2013 This content is archived.
Story by Suzanne Kashuba
Paul R. Knight III, MD, PhD, and Daniel J. Kosman, PhD, have been named State University of New York Distinguished Professors, the highest faculty rank in the SUNY system.
They were among 16 SUNY faculty throughout the 64-campus system appointed to the distinguished rank in 2013.
Honor Recognizes Prominent Scholarship
The honor is conferred upon faculty members who have achieved national or international prominence and distinguished reputations in their fields.
It recognizes those who have contributed significantly to the research literature and have elevated the standards of scholarship.
Noted Researcher Studies Lung Inflammation
Paul Knight III, MD, PhD
Knight, a Distinguished Professor of anesthesiology and microbiology, has conducted groundbreaking research heralding a new dimension in anesthesiology.
His research on the effects of inhalation anesthetics on lung function emphasizes the relationship between anesthetics and viral infection, and the inflammatory process in lung tissue.
Knight’s seminal contributions to the study of lung pathology and his impressive body of work have provided a better understanding of how inflammation and injury affect the lung.
His research has been continually funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 1980.
Innovative Approach to Science
Knight also has distinguished himself as a teacher and creative scientist.
He has developed innovative model experimental systems that are used throughout the world, and his distinctive approaches have allowed him to develop novel concepts and translate findings readily into important clinical practice improvements.
Knight received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities in 2011.
Seminal Research in Metallobiochemistry
Daniel Kosman, PhD
Kosman’s groundbreaking research has contributed to a better understanding of cellular processes involving copper and iron, including transport, metabolism, storage and effect on genetic and molecular regulation.
His seminal research on the metallobiochemistry of copper and iron has formed a foundation for studies on the regulation of cellular metal homeostasis.
Kosman's work has profound clinical implications for human nutrition, as iron deficiency affects an estimated two billion people worldwide and is the most common nutritional deficiency.
UB Scholar-Educator for Four Decades
Kosman is an internationally recognized scholar and UB Distinguished Professor of biochemistry, and his oft-cited multidimensional, multidisciplinary, high-impact research has been published in first rank journals.
His research has been nearly continuously funded by the NIH and National Science Foundation since 1970, when he joined UB.
In addition, Kosman is a premier educator and mentor for students and fellows.
He also contributes significantly to important university and professional service functions.
Honor Recognizes Extraordinary Achievement
These prominent UB scientists join a select group of 319 SUNY Distinguished Professors appointed over the past 50 years.
All active distinguished faculty, including others recognized for service, teaching and librarianship, are part of the SUNY Distinguished Academy.
“In bestowing its highest faculty honor, SUNY proudly recognizes the extraordinary achievements of these faculty and the positive impacts they have had on SUNY... students ... and colleagues ... across the globe,” says SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher.