Murray W. Stinson Award for Excellence in Dissertation Research
The Stinson award recognizes outstanding dissertation research in microbiology and immunology.
Eligibility
You must have defended your dissertation between March 1 of the previous year and Feb. 28-29 of the award year (for example, March 1, 2014-Feb. 28, 2015 for the 2015 award).
Criteria
We will consider you for this award based on your:
- program status — GPA, time in program to degree, admission as BS/BA or advanced degree student and contributions to the department and the university
- publications — first author; other authorship and role in paper(s)
- presentations — talks and posters (local versus national or international)
- scientific future — postdoctoral or future position in science
- recommendation from your major professor
Selection Process
Our chair and director of graduate studies, or a committee they select, choose the awardee. We solicit applications as of March 1. To apply, submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of support from your major professor to our administrator of academic programs.
Notification
If you are selected to receive the Stinson award, we’ll notify you in a letter by mid-March.
Award
If you receive this award, you will be recognized at our annual commencement ceremony.
Past Recipients
| Year | Awardee | Dissertation | Mentor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Katherine Wackowski | Cooperation of RESC proteins in trypanosome RNA editing and holoenzyme dynamics | Laurie K. Read, PhD |
| 2023 | Murat Can Kalem | Arginine methylation and the control of RNA-binding proteins in Cryptococcus neoformans | John Panepinto, PhD |
| 2022 | Anna Stovall | The role of the elF2 kinase Gcn2 in nitrogen metabolism and virulence factor production in Cryptococcus neoformans | John Panepinto, PhD |
| 2021 | Daniel Jaremko | Identifying critical interactions in the unique Trypanosoma brucei 5S ribonucleoprotein complex and their role in ribosome biogenesis | Noreen Williams, PhD |
| 2020 | Christian Ahearn | Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Genomes Reveal Vaccine Antigen Genetic Diversity and a Novel Host Cell Invasin | Timothy F. Murphy, MD |
| 2019 | Richard Jin | Chronic infection impairs immune-mediated skeletal muscle regeneration | Elizabeth Wohlfert, PhD |
| 2018 | Michaelle Chojnacki | Funtional interations of HPV replication proteins E1 ad E2 with cellular DNA polymerase epsilon | Thomas Melendy, PhD |
| 2017 | Ryan Reddinger | The effect of the nasopharyngeal microbiota on pneumococcal colonization and pathogenesis in the post-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era | Anthony A. Campagnari, PhD |
| 2016 | Megan Jones | Function and Regulation of the Oligopeptide Permease Transport System in Moraxella catarrhalis | Timothy F. Murphy, MD |
| 2015 | Virginia Glazier | Post-Transcriptional Regulation of the ER Stress Response in Cryptococcus neoformans | John Panepinto, PhD |
| 2014 | Cara Clementi | Internalization and Trafficking of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells and the Roles of IgA1 Proteases for Optimal Internalization | Timothy F. Murphy, MD |
| 2013 | Emily Clementi | Mechanistic Insights Into Death Induced by Protein-Lipid Complexes in Streptococcus pneumoniae | Anders P. Hakansson, PhD |
| 2012 | Martin Ciganda | Analysis of a Novel Pre-ribosomal Complex in Trypanosoma brucei | Noreen Williams, PhD |
| 2011 | Michelle Simpson-Abelson | Assessing the Responsiveness and Reactivation of Memory T Cells in the Microenvironment of Human Ovarian Tumors and Ascites Fluid | Richard B. Bankert, PhD, VMD |
| 2010 | Johanna Schwingel | Characterization of Moraxella catarrhalis Lipooligosaccharide | Anthony A. Campagnari, PhD |
| 2009 | Pascale Plamondon | Identification and Characterization of a Novel Two-Partner Secretion System in Moraxella catarrhalis Composed of MchA1, MchA2 and MchB | Anthony A. Campagnari, PhD |
| 2008 | Jeffrey Yu | Role of Interleukin-17 Signaling in Acute Periodontal Disease | Sarah L. Gaffen, PhD |
| 2007 | Chia-Ying Kao | Cis- and Trans-acting Factors in Trypanosoma brucei Mitochondrial RNA Metabolism | Laurie K. Read, PhD |
Murray W. Stinson, PhD
First presented in 2007, this award honors the memory of Murray W. Stinson, PhD, professor and associate chair of microbiology and immunology, who joined the department in 1969.
Stinson’s research focused on the causes of streptococcal infections. He taught medical, graduate and undergraduate courses and trained graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in bacteriology. He also directed graduate studies for the department.
Contact Us For More Information
Assistant to the Chair
Caroline Golach
Senior Staff Assistant
Microbiology and Immunology