Outstanding Emerging Investigator
This category recognizes a scientist who has made significant contributions to the FDA mission in the field of either basic or applied research or in regulatory review science. To be considered, the individual must have been hired within the previous 5 years, and no more than 10 years of having received their terminal degree. Accomplishments should be judged by the same general standards as those for the other science awards. To be considered, the individual must have begun employment at FDA in the previous 5 years.
2024
Lucas Harrison, Ph.D. (CVM)
For development of an innovative informatics tool to characterize microbial plasmids.
2023
Kentaro Tohma, Ph.D. (CBER)
For developing new tools to study the genetic and antigenic evolution of fast-evolving RNA viruses: from individuals to global populations.
2022
Rui Xiong, PhD (Visiting Scientist - NCTR)
For establishing an in vitro human airway test platform that provides a novel integrative approach to evaluate risks of human respiratory pathogens and inhaled toxicants.
2021
Rebecca Racz Hernandorena, PharmD (CDER)
For research introducing machine learning and text mining regulatory approaches to identify new pediatric oncology drug targets, off target adverse events, and chemical toxicities.
2020
Kyung Sung, PhD
For developing new experimental approaches for the assessment cell-based regenerative medicine products.
2019
Maria Hoffmann, PhD
For outstanding and sustained contributions in food safety using novel application of WGS to improve FDA's ability to trace and type foodborne Salmonella.
2018
Kimberly Kontson, PhD
For scientific research to advance the use of quantitative outcome measures in the assessment of neurological and physical medicine products.
2017
Christopher Scully, PhD
For scientific research to advance physiological monitoring in emergency medicine and critical care.
2016
Zhichao Liu, PhD (Visiting Scientist)
For consistently important contributions to collaborative research involving drug repositioning for rare diseases, DILI and liver carcinogen predictors, and regulatory text and data mining.
2015
Hongquan Wan, D.V.M., Ph.D., CBER
For outstanding research on influenza immunity that supports the development of effective influenza vaccines and therapeutics.
2014
Kristin Marie Marshall, PhD
For developing a reproducible method for identification and sub-typing of Clostridium botulinum, the causative agent of botulism, and demonstrating its usefulness as an epidemiological tool
2013
Daniel Tadesse, D.V.M., Ph.D, CVM
For coordinating the integration and implementation of microarray technology and whole genome sequencing into the Center for Veterinary Medicine’s antimicrobial resistance research projects.
2012
Jie Zheng, Ph.D, D.V.M., CFSAN
For outstanding scientific achievement for elucidating critical Salmonella contamination pathways and for developing effective intervention strategies against foodborne Salmonella associated with the produce supply
2011
Rebecca Bell, Ph.D., CFSAN
For outstanding scientific achievements in the areas of microbial ecology, rapid detection and identification of foodborne salmonellae known to contaminate the U.S. fresh‐cut produce supply
2010
Narjol Gonzalez-Escalona, PhD, CFSAN
For effective detection and differentiation of foodborne bacterial pathogens through the development and application of groundbreaking and highly innovative molecular biologic methods of strain interrogation
2009
Jonathan R. Deeds, PhD, CFSAN
For outstanding contributions in the development and implementation of DNA-barcoding methods for food safety.