Research Awards

The Rhonda K. Simper-Ronan Graduate Award in Cancer Research

The Pathobiology Graduate Program established the ‘Rhonda K. Simper-Ronan Graduate Award in Cancer Research’ in 2008 to commemorate the commitment to research excellence and perseverance of one of our graduates, Rhonda Simper-Ronan, PhD (class of 2007). The award is given annually to a current Pathobiology graduate student whose dedication to research and accomplishments honors the memory of Dr. Simper-Ronan. The award is presented at the graduate program’s retreat to the student:

  1. whose research is relevant to cancer,
  2. who contributes to the graduate program, and
  3. whose inspirational accomplishments have distinguished and set them apart from their peers.

Rhonda K. Simper-Ronan, Ph.D. Award Recipients

  • 2008: Bonnie Lau, M.D., Ph.D.
  • 2009: Michele Avissar-Whiting, Ph.D.
  • 2010: Pamela Gaddi, Ph.D.
  • 2011: Ashley Smith, Ph.D.
  • 2012: William Accomando, Ph.D.
  • 2013: Jennifer Ribeiro, Ph.D.
  • 2016: Susan Leggett, Ph.D.
  • 2020:  Liz Hernández Borrero, Ph.D.
  • 2021:  Dennis Bonal
  • 2022:  Lindsey Carlsen
  • 2023:  Payton De La Cruz
  • 2024:  Kimberly Meza

Charles "Chick" Kuhn Graduate Award in Disease Pathogenesis

The "Charles 'Chick' Kuhn Graduate Award in Disease Pathogenesis" was established in 2002 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Pathobiology Graduate Program and to honor Charles Kuhn III, M.D.  An internationally recognized lung pathologist, Dr. Kuhn co-founded the Brown Pathobiology Graduate Program in 1992 with Kim Boekelheide, M.D., Ph.D. in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

The Kuhn Award is presented annually to the best graduate student presentation on mechanisms of disease.

Charles "Chick" Kuhn Graduate Award Recipients

  • 2002: Rachelle Solomon, Ph.D.
  • 2003: Nikia Laurie, Ph.D.
  • 2004: Stanimir Ivanov, Ph.D.
  • 2005: Ana-Marie Dragoi, Ph.D.
  • 2006: Aisling Dugan, Ph.D.
  • 2007: Douglas Wilson, Ph.D.
  • 2008: Meredith Crane, Ph.D.
  • 2009: Benjamin Moyer, Ph.D. and Alex Valm, Ph.D.
  • 2010: Chathuraka Jayasuriya, Ph.D.
  • 2011: Nicholas Heger, Ph.D.
  • 2012: Matthew Hirakawa, Ph.D.
  • 2013: Angel Byrd, M.D., Ph.D.
  • 2014:  Margarite Tarrio, Ph.D.
  • 2015: Adeola Adebayo, Ph.D.
  • 2016: Yun Gao, M.D., Ph.D.
  • 2017:  Courtney Anderson, Ph.D.
  • 2018:  Jocelyn Newton, Ph.D.
  • 2019:  Jenna Wurster, Ph.D.
  • 2020:  Shen-Huan Liang, Ph.D.
  • 2021:  Layra Cintrón-Rivera, Ph.D.
  • 2022:  Swathi Penumutchu, Ph.D.
  • 2023:  Samantha Borys
  • 2024:  Rebecca Yunker

The Nancy L. Thompson Graduate Award in Infection and Inflammation Research

In 2023, the Pathobiology Graduate Program established the "Nancy L. Thompson Graduate Award in Infection and Inflammation Research" to honor the years of Professor Thompson's outstanding scientific contributions and service to Brown University and the Pathobiology Graduate Program.  This award will be presented to a current Ph.D. student:

1.  who exhibits outstanding dedication and accomplishments in the field of infection and inflammation,

2. who contributes to the Pathobiology Graduate Program, and

3. whose inspirational accomplishments has distinguished and set them apart from their peers.

Nancy L. Thompson Graduate Award Recipients

  • 2023: Brandon Armstead
  • 2024:  Collin Ganser