Celebrating Excellence and Unabated Productivity: The Sixth Annual Research & Faculty Mentoring Awards

The UC Irvine School of Medicine’s sixth annual Research & Faculty Mentoring Awards ceremony opened with a sincere note of appreciation from Dean Michael J. Stamos, MD.

“We have had an exciting year, though not without its challenges, and I would like to recognize that your energy has been unflagging, and your productivity proceeds unabated,” said Stamos, speaking to attendees of the June 4 awards luncheon. Set on the second-floor terrace of the College of Health Sciences Building, the beautiful outdoor event celebrated faculty, staff and trainees conducting groundbreaking research and providing transformative mentoring.

“I want to thank you,” stressed Stamos, “for your outstanding service and dedication that has allowed us to drive research at UCI and thrive as one of the country’s top academic health systems.”

Lifetime Research Achievement Award

Two senior scientists were recognized not only for their productivity during the past year but for decades of research contributions with a lasting impact on their fields.

Bert Semler, PhD, a distinguished professor of microbiology & molecular genetics, was honored with the Lifetime Research Achievement Award for Basic Science. Since joining UC Irvine in 1983, Semler has made important and paradigm-shifting contributions to the molecular biology of positive-strand RNA viruses — pathogens responsible for significant human disease burdens worldwide. His more recent work has focused on translation initiation and genome replication, and the unique mechanisms needed for infecting human cells. His pioneering discoveries have greatly shaped our molecular understanding of RNA virus replication and virus/host interplay, with lasting implications for antiviral strategies.

In accepting the award, Semler acknowledged the “unwavering support” for basic science research from School of Medicine deans, referencing the late Stanley van den Noort, the “ever-present” Tom Cesario, and Dean Stamos. He also credited the school’s strong research infrastructure for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and he praised the incredible accomplishments of the many students, postdocs and staff researchers who have worked with him in the Semler Lab over the past 43 years.

Dana Mukamel, PhD, director of the iTEQC Research Program, received the Lifetime Research Achievement Award for Clinical Research. Mukamel has devoted her career to improving the quality of healthcare through exceptional research and service. For over 30 years, she has dedicated her time to developing new ways and methodologies to measure quality based on big data. She has investigated factors that contribute to the provision of high-quality care and has applied that knowledge to become a leader in the development of quality report cards: the 5-Star system and value-based payment. Her exemplary research, service and teaching activities contribute greatly to the quality and prestige of UC Irvine.

Mukamel, honored to receive the award, said she owed thanks to many and praised School of Medicine leadership for the tremendous growth she has witnessed over the last 20 years.

Excellence in Mentoring Research Trainees

One of the most heartfelt awards presented at the luncheon was the Gina Lee Award for Excellence in Mentoring Basic Science Research Trainees. The award was established in 2025 in memory of Gina Lee, PhD, whose untimely passing cut short a stellar career. The award honors Lee’s legacy as a scientist, teacher and incredible mentor by recognizing those who embody her spirit of respect, care and excellence in guiding the next generation of scientists.

The second annual Gina Lee Award was presented to Francesco Marangoni, PhD, from the Department of Physiology & Biophysics (honorable mention: Angela Fleischman, MD, PhD, from the Division of Hematology & Oncology in the Department of Medicine).

Marangoni was hailed for being exceptionally generous with his time and for doing everything in his power to support his trainees in achieving their own goals. According to his trainees, Marangoni spends hours teaching sophisticated experimental approaches and working with them to gain confidence in public speaking and communicating science with clarity and confidence.

Marangoni was deeply honored to receive the recognition, acknowledging that he felt the weight and responsibility of being part of Lee’s legacy, which he said involves giving back 101% through mentoring.

The award for Excellence in Mentoring Clinical Research Trainees went to Zahra Pakbaz, MD, from the Division of Hematology & Oncology in the Department of Medicine (honorable mention: Olivia L. Lee, MD, from the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences). Pakbaz, also a member of the UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, is committed to supporting her trainees’ growth in research, consistently providing thoughtful and constructive feedback, and fostering independence while maintaining rigorous scientific standards.

Faculty Mentoring Awards

Four faculty members were honored for excellence specifically in the domain of faculty mentoring other faculty:

• Basic Science Faculty Mentor of the Year — Xiangmin Xu from the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology. Xu provides individualized guidance in research program development and interdisciplinary team building, while simultaneously developing a shared institutional infrastructure that benefits a broad faculty community (honorable mention: Sabee Molloi from the Department of Radiological Sciences).
• Clinical Faculty Mentor of the Year — Faysal A. Yafi, MD, from the Department of Urology. Yafi has built a reputation as the “go-to” person when younger faculty need support. He is considered sincere, caring and willing to dedicate ample time to help them excel (honorable mention: Matthew Dolich, MD, from the Department of Surgery).
• Innovation in Mentoring — Emilie L. Chow, MD, from the Department of Medicine. As chair of the Health Sciences Clinical Faculty Mentoring Committee, she built the operational clinical mentoring arm of the School of Medicine from the ground up, and she designed the “Mentoring is the Best Medicine” workshop series (honorable mention: Scott Rudkin, MD, from the Department of Emergency Medicine).
• Universal Mentoring — Alisa Wray, MD, from the Department of Emergency Medicine. Wray cultivates a culture of continuous improvement that extends far beyond individual relationships. She has built a community of educators while shining a light on the needs of vulnerable patient populations and connecting underrepresented students to mentors to ensure success (honorable mention: Vahid Yaghmai, MD, chair of the Department of Radiological Sciences).

Recognizing Impactful Research

Another nine awards were presented to recognize research excellence and outstanding academic achievement.

The Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award went to two students conducting outstanding biomedical research:

• Basic Science — Miranda Emiko Kelly from the Department of Biological Chemistry, advised by Cholsoon Jang, PhD, and Thomas F. Martinez, PhD. Kelly has made major contributions to several important areas of diet and nutrition (honorable mention: Meggie Danielson from the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, advised by Thomas P. Burke, PhD).
• Clinical/Translational Science — Ryan Hoang from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, advised by Yu-Po Lee, MD, and Michael Oh, MD. Hoang’s scholarship focuses on clinically meaningful questions in spine surgery (honorable mention: Melissa (Missy) Romoff from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, advised by Sohaib Z. Hashmi, MD, Michael Sukhyun Kim, MD, Emily S. Mills, MD, and Hao-Hua Wu, MD).

The Outstanding Fellow/Resident Research Award, aimed at residents, clinical fellows and postdoctoral fellows, was presented to the following:

• Basic Science — Yoseop Yoon, PhD, from the Department of Biological Chemistry. Yoon is a postdoctoral scientist who studies mRNA 3′ end processing and its regulation in the Yongsheng Shi Lab. He recently obtained a tenure-track position at the University of Texas, Arlington (honorable mention: Youngseo Cheon, PhD, from the Department of Biological Chemistry).
• Clinical/Translational Science — Bima J. Hasjim, MD, Department of Surgery. Hasjim engages in robust and impactful research while also being a stellar surgical resident who continually impresses with the level of professionalism, enthusiasm and integrity that he exhibits in direct patient care (honorable mention: Michael Kim, MD, from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery).

The Outstanding Career Scientist Research Award was presented to Hosung Bae, PhD, from the Department of Biological Chemistry. As a project scientist and postdoctoral fellow in the Nutrient Metabolism & Disease Lab, led by Cholsoon Jang, PhD, Bae has demonstrated exceptional scientific impact, technical innovation, and leadership. He will start his new faculty position at the University of Iowa in August, and he dedicated his award to Gina Lee and her legacy of mentorship (honorable mention: Matthew Birnie, PhD, from the Department of Pediatrics).

The Outstanding Early-Career Faculty Research Award recognized the scientific impact and novel contributions of two early-career faculty members:

• Basic Science — Audrone Lapinaite, PhD, from the Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Biological Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering. Lapinaite is an exceptionally innovative scientist whose work is helping to define the future of precision genome editing and its translation to medicine (honorable mention: Thomas P. Burke, PhD, from the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics).
• Clinical Research — Miles J. Pfaff, MD, from the Department of Plastic Surgery. Pfaff has built an extraordinarily productive, multidisciplinary, and mission-driven early-career research program in academic surgery (honorable mentions: Emily S. Mills from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Michael A. Daneshvar from the Department of Urology).

The Outstanding Mid-Career Faculty Research Award recognized two mid-career scientists who have made novel and significant scientific contributions:

• Basic Science — Lbachir BenMohamed, PhD, from the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. BenMohamed, a world leader in immunology, has established a thriving research program focused on the cellular and molecular immune responses to infectious viral pathogens and the development of vaccines for viruses (honorable mention: Kevin Beier, PhD, from the Department of Physiology & Biophysics).
• Clinical Research — Ryan S. Hsi, MD, from the Department of Urology. Hsi exemplifies the highest standards of academic excellence through transformative research in urinary stone disease (honorable mention: Ali Ezzati, MD, from the Department of Neurology).

As Dean Stamos closed out the ceremony, he led the crowd in applauding their accomplishments.

“My heart is bursting with pride,” he said. “Once again — a round of applause for our awardees, nominees, nominators, mentors, advisors, and everyone here today!”

A recording of the celebration and additional photos are available online. Photos by Carlos Puma or Puma Images.