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Accolades: Awards, honors and appointments January

OHSU Accolades: Awards, honors and appointments. Image is a close-up of several different people's hands clapping.

 

Miranda Lim earns Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Miranda Lim M.D., Ph.D., has shoulder-length black hair, eye glasses and smiling.
Miranda Lim, M.D., Ph.D. (OHSU)

On Jan. 14, President Joe Biden recognized Miranda Lim, M.D., Ph.D., among recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Lim is among just 14 early career scientists from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be recognized, and one of about 400 across all federal agencies nationwide. The award is typically given to 100 scientists nationwide per year; the current list comprises four years’ worth of awardees. The recognition is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers.

Lim is an associate professor of neurology, medicine and behavioral neuroscience in the OHSU School of Medicine, and a staff physician at the VA Portland Health Care System in the Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center and Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center. She holds a leadership position in the NIH-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in the Division of Aging at OHSU, specializing in research and clinical benefits related to sleep.

Established by President Clinton in 1996, PECASE recognizes scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential for leadership early in their research careers. The award recognizes innovative and far-reaching developments in science and technology, expands awareness of careers in science and engineering, recognizes the scientific missions of participating agencies, enhances connections between research and impacts on society, and highlights the importance of science and technology for the nation’s future.

Lim came to OHSU and the Portland VA in 2013. She is also an affiliate faculty member in OHSU's Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences.

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David Huang earns spot in 2025 National Inventors Hall of Fame

David Huang, M.D., Ph.D. standing in his office, smiling.
David Huang, M.D., Ph.D. (OHSU)

David Huang, M.D., Ph.D., an associate director and director of research at the OHSU Casey Eye Institute, professor of ophthalmology and biomedical engineering in the OHSU School of Medicine, and Wold Family Endowed Chair in Ophthalmic Imaging, was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame Class of 2025. He co-invented optical coherence tomography, or OCT, which has transformed eye care and improved the detection and management of eye diseases.

Inductees will be honored in May at a celebration in Washington, D.C.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame honors exceptional U.S. patent holders whose inventions shape industries and employ millions. Each inductee class celebrates their innovations and inspires future inventors who will transform the world.

Share link: https://news.ohsu.edu/2025/01/21/accolades-awards-honors-and-appointments-january#DavidHuang


 

 

James Frank earns scholarship for entrepreneurship course

James Frank, Ph.D., has light reddish blond hair, a beard and a blue top, smiling with the Portland city scape behind him.
James Frank, Ph.D. (OHSU)

James Frank, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemical physiology and biochemistry in the OHSU School of Medicine and the Vollum Institute, received the Babson Substance Use Disorder (SUD) SPRINT scholarship to attend a one-week SUD entrepreneurial course in August at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The SUD Sprint is a six-day bespoke program in entrepreneurship and commercialization for researchers and inventors tackling substance use disorders and drug addiction, taught at one of the nation’s top colleges for entrepreneurship. 

Following the six-day course in Massachusetts, Frank and his classmates participated in monthly meetings to continue their training. On Dec. 16, the cohort completed their course.

“This course was invaluable in not only teaching the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, but also forming connections we wouldn’t have otherwise made,” Frank said. “I met scientists who I’m now collaborating with and start-up founders who have inspired me to look at my work in the lab with a different lens. This was a profound experience!” 

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OHSU researchers unveil groundbreaking insights into pancreatic cancer's lethality, immune profiles

Rosalie Sears, Ph.D., has long straight blonde hair and is smiling in an office.
Rosalie Sears, Ph.D. (OHSU)

A team of OHSU researchers published a “rich multimodal resource” on a lethal form of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common form of pancreatic cancer, and studies have long shown it can be more lethal if the disease spreads to the liver. Led by Rosie Sears, Ph.D., a team of more than 35 OHSU co-authors from the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and the OHSU School of Medicine collaborated on a Nature Cancer publication leveraging real-world data from OHSU. Their work identified distinct molecular and immune profiles that can explain differences in PDAC tumor aggressiveness and clinical outcomes in patients whose disease develops liver metastasis from those with lung metastasis without liver metastases. 

A supplemental Nature News and Views piece called the study “a valuable contribution to the field of PDAC translational research as it illustrates the value of real-world data analyses.” Sears says: “I am very proud of this important study that delves deeper into pancreatic tumor development potentially exposing an immune vulnerability in some tumors. I am grateful to all the authors for their contributions and to the BCCPC for supporting development of these large omic datasets with associated clinical information that we hope will provide fruit for many additional investigators.” 

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Hiroko Kiyoshi-Teo publishes research on fall prevention interventions

Hiroko Kiyoshi-Teo, Ph.D., M.S., R.N., has long straight black hair and is wearing a suit jacket and black t-shirt, smiling in a building.
Hiroko Kiyoshi-Teo, Ph.D., M.S., R.N. (OHSU)

Hiroko (Hiro) Kiyoshi-Teo, Ph.D., RN, assistant professor in the OHSU School of Nursing, in December had a study investigating the feasibility and preliminary impact of a Motivational Interviewing for Fall Prevention, known as MI-FP, intervention published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

This publication contributes to the field by exploring an innovative approach to engaging older adults in fall prevention behaviors, addressing a critical need for effective strategies to improve their health and independence.

Kiyoshi-Teo's program of research is to explore strategies to enhance the health and well-being of older adults. With her background in preventing adverse events, such as infection and falls, in hospital settings, her current work focuses on reducing accidental falls among older adults in the community. Since 2016, she has led several trials using qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine the impact of motivational interviewing to engage older adults in fall prevention. 

Share link: https://news.ohsu.edu/2025/01/21/accolades-awards-honors-and-appointments-january#HirokoKiyoshi-Teo


 

 

Ahmed Raslan elected president of the North American Neuromodulation Society

Ahmed Raslan, M.D., has no hair, dark eye glasses and wearing a suit.
Ahmed Raslan, M.D. (OHSU)

Ahmed Raslan, M.D., FAANS, professor and interim chair of neurological surgery and chief of the division of functional neurosurgery in the OHSU School of Medicine, has been elected the president of the North American Neuromodulation Society, or NANS, for 2025. He will serve as president for a year, effective Feb. 1.

Founded in 1994, NANS is the preeminent organization dedicated in neuromodulation. Neuromodulation encompasses several treatment modalities that affect the nervous system, typically using implantable techniques. It can include the stimulation of nerves in the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, autonomic nervous system or deep within the brain — leading to the “modulation” of nervous system activity for healing. 

Raslan has spent his career at OHSU on the leading edge of science and discovery in two primary areas: cognitive decoding enabled by interface technology, and focused ultrasound. His breakthroughs in interface technology give neurologists and neurosurgeons a clearer, higher-resolution picture inside the brain that reveals more about brain function, improves the precision of brain surgery, and examines the processes behind memory, language and numbers cognition. 

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Melissa Novak earns D.O. of the Year in Oregon

Melissa Novak, D.O., has long blonde hair and a white shirt, smiling.
Melissa Novak, D.O. (OHSU)

Melissa Novak, D.O., an associate professor of family medicine and associate sports medicine fellowship director in the OHSU School of Medicine, has been named Doctor of Osteopathic medicine of the year by the Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of Oregon. The D.O. of the Year Award recognizes an Oregon osteopathic physician for their outstanding leadership and commitment to the osteopathic profession. As a team physician for Portland State University, Novak is a leader who works tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of athletes, while also mentoring sports medicine fellows in their roles as team physicians. Novak is committed to osteopathic education and mentorships, ensuring students, residents and fellows develop the skills and confidence to carry forward the osteopathic tradition.

In addition to her leadership and mentorship roles, Novak has made significant contributions to research. Her recent work, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, addresses gender disparities in sports medicine, advancing awareness and equity in the field. Her work has left a lasting impression on her patients, students, and colleagues, exemplifying the very best of the osteopathic profession.

“I am deeply honored to be named D.O. of the Year by the Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of Oregon,” Novak said. “This recognition reflects my dedication to helping OHSU residents maintain and advance their osteopathic skills and highlights my commitment to community leadership, including my work as a team physician for the Portland State community.

Share link: https://news.ohsu.edu/2025/01/21/accolades-awards-honors-and-appointments-january#MelissaNovak


Recognize team or individual achievements with OHSU Accolades

Every day, OHSU members do amazing things. We want to celebrate the significant achievements of OHSU members, units and programs, such as awards, grants, appointments, publications and public recognitions. We publish these announcements regularly on OHSU Now and OHSU News: Awards and Accomplishments to celebrate with all 27,000 of our members and our community. Nominate yourself, a colleague or any OHSU member using this Accolades Smartsheet form. Submissions are edited for length and clarity.

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