The Duke Department of Medicine proudly recognized the recipients of its inaugural Research Awards during the second annual Research Day on November 7, 2024. These awards honor excellence across a broad spectrum of contributions, including frontline research staff, rising junior faculty, groundbreaking publications, and faculty mentorship.
This year’s honorees exemplify the department’s commitment to advancing biomedical research, fostering collaboration, and mentoring the next generation of scientists. From enhancing patient care through rigorous research protocols to developing cutting-edge strategies in cancer and cardiovascular medicine, these awardees demonstrate the breadth and impact of the department’s mission.
Learn more about each of the award winners and their remarkable achievements below.
The inaugural Research Staff Excellence Award was presented to two recipients. This award recognizes exceptional contributions to clinical and laboratory research studies within the Department of Medicine and celebrates frontline research staff who demonstrate sustained excellence in implementing research protocols, managing teams, and troubleshooting complex experiments.
Christy Walters
Christy Walters was nominated by her colleagues and praised as an “exemplary employee and pivotal leader.” She is recognized for fostering a collaborative environment where her team “can come together and support each other.” Her dedication and leadership have been described as a “gift and a tremendous asset” to the department.
Francine Kelly
Francine Kelly was described as “a driving force behind the laboratory’s successes” and commended for her dedication to scientific rigor, noting her commitment to “testing every assumption to identify the truth.” Her contributions have been hailed as “truly outstanding,” embodying the qualities of excellence, dedication, and integrity that the award celebrates.
The inaugural Research Support Excellence Award recognizes individuals who excel in managing regulatory complexities, navigating internal systems, and fostering collaboration to enhance the rigor and feasibility of research projects.
This year three recipients received the inaugural award.
Katherine Link
Katherine Link is praised as “the quintessential regulatory coordinator and a true subject matter expert,” emphasizing her tireless dedication to ensuring that patients have access to every possible avenue of care. Her skillful coordination and unwavering commitment exemplify the “true definition of a team player and a role model for exceptional work.”
Amy Pierson
Amy Pierson was commended as “the best GCA with whom I’ve ever worked” and a “singular example of the best of Duke.” Known for her ability to “always find an answer to every problem,” she has been described as “a bright light amidst the chaos,” embodying the dedication and resourcefulness celebrated by this award.
Vlayka Liotcheva, PhD
Vlayka Liotcheva was recognized for her dedication, describing her as someone who “devotes time, effort, and heart to bolster the achievement of her division’s PIs and staff.” Known for being “accessible, trustworthy, and dependable,” she exemplifies a commitment to “maintaining excellence in Duke’s research mission.”
The Distinguished Research Publication Award recognizes publications with significant potential to positively impact human health through rigorous research, creative hypotheses, and novel insights.
Drs. Michael Plebanek and Brent Hanks
Drs. Michael Plebanek and Brent Hanks have been awarded for their study published in Science Immunology titled, "A lactate-SREBP2 signaling axis drives tolerogenic dendritic cell maturation and promotes cancer progression." This prestigious award
Their work explores a novel marker associated with the modification of antitumor immunity, providing a fresh approach to enhancing the precision of anticancer treatments. The study exemplifies excellence in biomedical research by delivering definitive insights into critical challenges in cancer therapy.
The Rising Star Research Excellence Award honors junior faculty producing high-quality insights through clinical, translational, or basic research approaches, evidenced by impactful publications, competitive funding, and sustainable research programs.
Dr. Aparna Swaminathan
Dr. Aparna Swaminathan has been recognized for demonstrating exceptional promise in advancing biomedical research. as “exceptionally successful and productive,” highlighting her numerous NIH and industry grant awards and an impressive record of over 40 peer-reviewed publications. She was celebrated as “a true rising star” in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and the Department of Medicine.
Dr. Senthil Selvaraj
Dr. Senthil Selvaraj was described as “a unique combination of remarkably deep intellect, dedication, and focus,” Dr. Selvaraj is an accomplished translational researcher. His work in cardiovascular metabolism, heart failure, and infiltrative cardiomyopathies has been noted for its significant scientific and clinical impact.
The Research Mentoring Award honors faculty members who excel in guiding mentees through the transition from trainees to independent researchers or funded junior faculty.
Dr. Susan Hastings
Dr. Susan Hastings serves as the primary mentor for nine early-career investigators across Duke, including five from the Department of Medicine. Her colleagues praised her track record of “ensuring her mentees’ success,” citing numerous national awards, leadership roles, and external funding secured by those she has mentored. One mentee described her as a “professional north star,” providing clarity, motivation, and resilience in moments of uncertainty.
Congratulations to all of our 2024 DOM Research Award winners.