At its May 20 Board meeting, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation honored the Presbyterian Health Foundation. OMRF also recognized eight researchers for their scientific achievements.
As part of its annual honors and awards ceremony, OMRF presented a special award to PHF for its role in supporting science at OMRF and in Oklahoma. Over the past decade, PHF has awarded 223 grants totaling more than $16 million to OMRF for research and essential scientific equipment.
“PHF funding has catalyzed some of our labs’ most significant biomedical breakthroughs,” said OMRF President Andrew Weyrich, Ph.D. “This partnership has benefited people around the world. That’s something all Oklahomans can take pride in.”
Also at the meeting, Lorin Olson, Ph.D., was named the foundation’s Lloyd Noble Chair in Cardiovascular Research. Olson’s research focuses on wound repair and regenerative medicine. He also serves as scientific director of the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research.
Ann Chiao, Ph.D., who studies pathways to better heart health, received the J. Donald & Patricia H. Capra Award for Scientific Achievement.
Gaurav Varshney, Ph.D., received the Fred Jones Award for Scientific Achievement. Varshney investigates genetic mutations using a paperclip-sized fish called a zebrafish.
Bill Freeman, Ph.D., whose lab studies the effects of aging on our brains, received the Merrick Award for Outstanding Research. Over the past year, Freeman earned grants to study Alzheimer’s and vision loss.
Swapan Nath, Ph.D., received OMRF’s highest scientific prize, the Edward L. & Thelma Gaylord Prize for Scientific Excellence. Nath joined OMRF in 2000, and he’s spent the past quarter century probing the genetic basis of lupus.
In addition, three new faculty members received funding from the Stephen M. Prescott Endowment for the Best and Brightest. This endowment provides funding that supports the recruitment and retention of promising scientists.
This year’s recipients of support from the Prescott endowment are Iker Etchegaray, Ph.D.; Zachary Hettinger, Ph.D.; and Rufei Lu, M.D., Ph.D.
“The Board’s recognition of these eight scientists reflects not only a respect for their knowledge and skills, but also confidence in how each one leads their lab,” said Courtney Griffin, Ph.D., the foundation’s vice president of research. “All of them have many years of discoveries remaining, and that gives us great confidence in OMRF’s future.”
Also during the meeting, Kimbra Scott was introduced as OMRF’s newest Board member.
Scott, of Vian, serves as executive director of the Port of Muskogee, a port on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System that links Oklahoma to global markets. She also serves on a maritime advisory committee for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
OMRF also recognized the following Directors for their tenures on the foundation’s Board: Lance Benham, John Griffin and Rebecca Patten, 35 years; and Bruce Benbrook and Harrison Levy, 30 years.
