Each faculty we spotlight has been selected from recent nominations we received from our department chairs, center directors, and educational leadership.
Introduction
Kiki Nissen, M.D.
Senior Associate Dean, Faculty AffairsAssociate Dean, Graduate Medical Education
Spring 2025 Series
Yulan Xiong, Ph.D., associate professor of neuroscience, is honored for her notable impact in the field of Parkinson’s disease research. This impressive work has contributed to discoveries which are advancing understanding of the disease and leading to new potential treatments. She was nominated by Dr. Riqiang Yan.
Caleb Battersby, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry, is honored for making significant strides in the psychiatry field with treatment-resistant depression, developing a new Esketamine Clinic at UConn Health. The development of this clinic is a substantial achievement and has shown remarkable results for patients. He was nominated by Dr. David Steffens.
Audrey Chapman, Ph.D., professor of public health sciences, is honored for demonstrating exceptional expertise in preparing and delivering public health courses to MPH and law students. Her interdisciplinary approach fosters a deep understanding of both public health and legal frameworks. Committed to cultivating critical thinking, she encourages students to engage in ethical analysis, equipping them with the skills to navigate complex real-world challenges. She was nominated by Dr. Douglas Brugge.
Jenna Bartley, Ph.D., assistant professor of immunology, is honored for her two major R01 grant awards from the NIH, ranging from laboratory research to a clinical trial involving aging in older adults. She promotes health, function, and independence in older adults by testing varied geroscience-guided interventions. She was nominated by Dr. George Kuchel and Dr. Anthony Vella.
Sangamesh Kumbar, Ph.D., professor of orthopedic surgery, is honored for his highly cited research regarding developing innovative biomaterial and micro-nanostructured implants to repair and regenerate tissue injuries, placing him among the top 2% of the most-cited scientists globally. He was nominated by Dr. Ernesto Canalis.
Shakaib Khan, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry, and his team are honored for receiving national recognition as a Center of Excellence from the Huntington’s Disease Society of America for the development of a multidisciplinary program that simplifies access to necessary multidisciplinary care. He was nominated by Dr. David Steffens.
Thomas Manger, MD, Ph.D., professor of medicine, is honored for making a significant impact on the education of medical and dental students fostering a rigorous but supportive learning environment. He developed content threads to improve integration with preparation, an assessment tool, and implemented new conferences to improve student understanding. He was nominated by Dr. Melissa Held and Dr. Christine Thatcher.
Fall 2024 Series
- Jenna Bartley, Ph.D.
- Sangamesh Kumbar, Ph.D.
- Shakaib Khan, MD
- Thomas Manger, MD, Ph.D.