The Wayne State University School of Medicine recognized and celebrated outstanding members of its faculty during the 2024 School of Medicine Faculty Awards and Promotion and Tenure Ceremony.

Faculty members who received tenure this year included Benjamin Kidder, Ph.D., associate professor of Oncology, and Hilary Marusak, Ph.D., associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences.

“One important point that I would like to impress upon you is that while tenure is a mark of your achievement, the honor is actually bestowed upon you by your peers,” Dean Wael Sakr, M.D., told the assembled faculty during the Sept. 26 event. “Your colleagues have recognized the dedication and the quality that you bring to the faculty team. They want you on their team, and tenure is no stronger testament of that desire. The same can be said of those we honor today for receiving the Faculty Awards. The recipients are nominated by their peers, who invest the time to write detailed nomination letters because they want to recognize colleagues going above and beyond the ordinary.”

Georgia Michalopoulou, Ph.D., professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, received the Outstanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Faculty Scholar Award. The award was created to recognize faculty members who, by their leadership and efforts, have specifically promoted the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion-related education, mentorship, service and scholarship.

“Dr. Michalopoulou has consistently gone above and beyond in creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive. She has actively sought out and provided opportunities to people from underrepresented groups, whether it be through teaching, research, mentorship or providing resources and support to help individuals overcome barriers to success,” S. Preeya Taormina, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences wrote in her nomination of Dr. Michalopoulou, who serves as vice chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Department of Neurology and her home department. “Dr. Michalopoulou's research over the past two decades has focused extensively on DEI issues. Her work has advanced our understanding of the challenges facing underrepresented groups in medical settings.”

David Rosenberg, M.D., chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, added, “Dr. Michalopoulou has made a unique contribution to the growth and professional development of future clinicians through raising their awareness regarding cultural diversity and their own biases in response to these differences; informing them of the complex ways that culture interacts with the clinical setting; and by assisting them in developing their ability to interact with patients in a culturally relevant and sensitive manner.” He said the 29-year faculty veteran “demonstrates how to seek out diverse viewpoints, engage in constructive dialogue and build an environment that recognizes we are connected by difference, as such she serves as role model for future clinicians. Many of the underrepresented trainees she mentored have accepted positions at prestigious institutions around the country.”

Ayman Soubani, M.D., professor of Internal Medicine and division chief of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, received the Excellence in Clinical Science Teaching Award, presented annually to a faculty member who has served as an outstanding mentor to other faculty at the WSU School of Medicine and who demonstrates a gift and passion for mentoring faculty.

M. Safwan Badr, M.D., M.B.A., professor and chair of the department, called Dr. Soubani, who joined the School of Medicine in 2000, the quintessential academic clinician educator.

“In bedside teaching, Dr. Soubani successfully and enthusiastically incorporates teaching during his rounds in the intensive care unit, the consult service, or the outpatient setting. He effectively engages medical students, residents and fellows in highlighting teaching points while managing patients and applying evidence-based practice in the care of patients,” Dr. Badr said. “He is extremely up-to-date on the literature and routinely shares with his medical students and trainees the most recent advances in literature that are relevant to the clinical scenario in hand. He also encourages his students and trainees to think, read, question, discuss and challenge. Dr. Soubani makes sure that his discussions benefit his learners at all levels, from rotating medical students to senior pulmonary and critical care fellows. His rounding style and educational approach are based on respect in a positive and fun atmosphere. Medical students and trainees have greatly appreciated his approach to patient care and teaching.”

Sharon Ackerman, Ph.D., associate professor of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, received the Kamran S. Moghissi Basic Science Teaching Award. The award is presented annually to a faculty member who, through long and meritorious teaching of basic sciences, has left a mark of excellence and provided students with a critical understanding of the faculty member's discipline. The purpose of the award is to recognize faculty achievement, to encourage continued progress and to provide assistance to faculty who demonstrate significant contributions to the teaching of basic science courses during the first two years in the School of Medicine.

Philip Pellett, Ph.D., chair of the department, nominated Dr. Ackerman, saying she has “consistently been student-first in her thoughts and actions, and has maintained a focus on ensuring that our students build biochemically robust foundations for understanding biochemical concepts they will encounter across the arc of their coming medical careers.”

Dr. Ackerman also serves as co-director of the Human Body Foundations I unit for first-year medical students, is responsible for a large set of lectures, is an instructor for the small-group, problem-based learning program and is director of Biochemistry for pre-medical students in the Post-Baccalaureate Program.

Matthew Jackson, Ph.D., associate professor of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, said that Dr. Ackerman, who joined the faculty in 1991, “is a dedicated educator who has devoted a significant portion of her career to the education of pre-medical, medical and graduate students. She is highly committed to maintaining the integrity of her discipline by consistently presenting a curriculum that teaches fundamental principles while clarifying the connections to other fields of basic and clinical science.”

The Outstanding Research Achievement Award is presented annually to the faculty member in a basic science or clinical department who has made significant and career-long contributions to the advancement of an area of biomedical, behavioral, clinical or medical research. Nominees must have a sustained record of meritorious publication and scholarship, and must have demonstrated a record of nationally and internationally recognized research. This year, Jason Mateika, Ph.D., professor of Physiology at Wayne State University and a VA Research Career Scientist, was selected for the honor.

Dr. Mateika, said Vsevolod Polotsky, M.D., Ph.D., professor and vice chair for Research in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science, demonstrated a role of daytime exposure to mild intermittent hypoxia and mild hypercapnia in long-term facilitation in humans with obstructive sleep apnea. He also developed protocols of exposure to mild intermittent hypoxia/sustained hypercapnia to treat sleep disordered breathing and showed their safety. “His pioneering work in patients with cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury showed that ventilatory long-term facilitation can be evoked by brief periods of hypoxia. It suggests that mild intermittent hypoxia can be utilized to treat respiratory complications in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.”

In addition to Dr. Polotsky’s nomination, Dr. Badr said that Dr. Mateika’s work has been published in the top journals in his field of research, including the Journal of Physiology, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Sleep, the Journal of Applied Physiology and the American Journal of Physiology Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. “His record of grantsmanship and publication record is a testament to the quality of his work and is also an indicator of his national and international reputation,” Dr. Badr added.

Teena Chopra, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, was selected to receive this year’s Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award. The award is given annually to a faculty member who has served as an outstanding mentor to other faculty at the WSU School of Medicine and demonstrates a gift and passion for mentoring faculty.

“As a junior faculty member navigating the complexities of both professional responsibilities and personal aspirations, I found myself at a crossroads, seeking guidance and support to carve out my niche in the field of medicine. It was during this pivotal juncture that I had the privilege of being mentored by Dr. Chopra, and her impact on my journey has been truly transformative,” Lauren Touleyrou, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, wrote in her nomination of Dr. Chopra. “Despite her demanding role as chief of Infectious Diseases and assistant dean for Faculty Development, Dr. Chopra generously dedicated her time and expertise to mentor me, providing invaluable guidance, encouragement and support. Her unwavering commitment to my professional growth and personal well-being served as a beacon of inspiration during challenging times, instilling in me a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.”

Under Dr. Chopra's mentorship, Dr. Touleyrou added, “I was not only able to find my niche within the field but also to flourish and thrive in ways I had never imagined possible. Her mentorship extended beyond mere guidance, as she actively championed my endeavors and provided opportunities for professional development, including the opportunity to write and submit my first paper to a peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Chopra's approach to mentorship is characterized by compassion, empathy and a genuine desire to see her mentees succeed. Her ability to balance her myriad responsibilities while prioritizing mentorship speaks volumes about her dedication to fostering the next generation of health care professionals.”

Radhika Gogoi, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of WSU Oncology, described Dr. Chopra as an “impassioned and enthusiastic mentor to students at all levels – elementary, middle school, high school, undergraduates, all the way up to medical school, residents and fellows.”

In addition, Dr. Chopra developed a pioneering coaching program that significantly enhanced the professional development and well-being of faculty members, Dr. Gogoi said. Under Dr. Chopra's guidance, the program “provided tailored support and guidance to faculty members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth within our academic community. I have personally benefitted from this program and I strongly admire her dedication to genuinely help her mentees. Dr. Chopra has been instrumental in my development as a faculty member at Wayne State. Through our monthly coaching sessions, I have been able to define my personal goals as an educator, researcher and clinician. More importantly, she has helped me articulate what success looks like. As a result, I accepted the position as the chair for the Women in Medicine and Science group in September and have developed a research interest group in Obstetrics and Gynecology for medical students and undergraduates at WSU.”

Laura Benjamins, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Pediatrics, received this year’s Women in Medicine & Science Leadership Award. The award is given to an individual who has supported and/or brought recognition to women faculty members or activities for women faculty members.

Dr. Benjamins has “consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and commitment to advancing women in academic medicine and science,” said Dena Nazer, M.D., professor of Pediatrics.

She has consistently received outstanding evaluations from students and has won many teaching awards. In addition, Dr. Benjamins participates in community outreach programs, promoting health education and awareness. She worked with the Wayne Pediatrics team and medical students to fundraise for the Eco-Friendly, Period Project and was appointed to the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Dr. Benjamins has played a pivotal role in organizing WIMS events, including a session on human trafficking. The events have provided a platform for women faculty, staff and students to connect, learn and support each other.

“Laura, an exceptional clinician, combines clinical excellence with unwavering compassion. Her trauma-informed approach ensures that she provides holistic care to survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking,” Dr. Nazer said. “Collaborating closely with Laura, I’ve witnessed her dedication to empowering patients, actively involving them in decision-making. Her kindness and empathy create a safe space for healing, making her an outstanding advocate for those in need. … Her dedication to advancing women in medicine and science is commendable … .”

2024 PROMOTION AND TENURE AWARDS
Heather Abraham, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor
Mohammed Abu-Mahfouz, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, clinical associate professor
Mohammed Al Hallak, M.D., Department of Oncology, associate professor
Omar Ali, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, clinical professor
M. Chadi Alraies, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, clinical associate professor
Alireza Amirsadri, M.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, professor
Hadeel Assad, M.D., Department of Oncology, associate professor
Rana Awdish, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, professor
Asfar Azmi, Ph.D., Department of Oncology, professor
Eleanor Chan, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, associate professor
Kang Chen, Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, professor
Steven Daveluy, M.D., Department of Dermatology, professor
Labib Debiane, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor
Anupama Devara, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor
Alan Dombkowski, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, professor
Gregory Dyson, Ph.D., Department of Oncology, professor
Mona Elsayed, M.D., Department of Neurology, associate professor
Zahia Esber, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor
Yubin Ge, Ph.D., Department of Oncology, professor
Patrick Hines, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, professor
Zhanjun Hou, Ph.D., Department of Oncology, professor
Clara Hwang, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, clinical associate professor
Allison Jay, M.D., Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, clinical professor
Satinder Kaur, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, associate professor
Benjamin Kidder, Ph.D., Department of Oncology, associate professor with tenure
Christopher Kliethermes, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, associate professor
Sandeep Krishnan, M.D., Department of Anesthesiology, professor
Zain Kulairi, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, clinical associate professor
Sarwan Kumar, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor
Kirthi Lilley, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor
Hirva Mamdani, M.D., Department of Oncology, Associate Professor
Hilary Marusak, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, associate professor with tenure
Dipenkumar Modi, M.D., Department of Oncology, associate professor
Meena Moossavi, M.D., Department of Dermatology, associate professor
Emilio Mottillo, Ph.D., Department of Physiology, associate professor
Shunji Nagai, M.D., Department of Surgery, associate professor
Melissa Nayak, M.D., Department of Orthopedic Surgery, clinical associate professor
Ijeoma Opara, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor
Nancie Petrucelli, M.S., Department of Oncology, adjunct professor
Preeti Ramappa, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, clinical professor
Latonya Riddle-Jones, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor
Divya Venkat, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor
Varun Vohra, Pharm.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, associate professor
Eva Waineo, M.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, associate professor
Tobias Walbert, M.D., Department of Neurology, professor
Ira Winer, M.D., Department of Oncology, professor
Guojun Wu, Ph.D., Department of Oncology, professor
Jay Yang, M.D., Department of Oncology, professor
Salam Zeineddine, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, associate professor

2024 COLLEGE TEACHING AWARDS
College Teaching Awards are presented to faculty based on the evaluation of instructional expertise as evaluated by students in the undergraduate medical education program, residents in the graduate medical education programs and graduate students, as well as the department chairs’ annual evaluation and other factors.

Department of Anesthesiology
Muhammad Jaffar, M.D.
Padmavathi Patel, M.D.

Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology
Eric Sebzda, Ph.D.

Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics
Ren Zhang, Ph.D.

Department of Emergency Medicine
Anthony Lagina, M.D.
Robert Welch, M.D.

Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences
Angela Tiura, Ph.D.

Department of Internal Medicine
Luis Afonso, M.D.
Kareem Bazzy, M.D.
Amir Iqbal, M.D.
Prateek Lohia, M.D.
Ijeoma Opara, M.D.
Lobelia Samavati, M.D.
Berhane Seyoum, M.D.
Shakeela Shakoor, M.D.
Pierre Tannous, M.D.

Department of Neurology
Deepti Zutshi, M.D.

Department of Oncology
Radhika Gogoi, M.D., Ph.D.
Benjamin Kidder, Ph.D.
Seongho Kim, Ph.D.

Department of Radiation Oncology
Ramesh Boggula, Ph.D.
Jacob Burmeister, Ph.D.

Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences
Mark McDermott, M.D.
Kwaku Nantwi, Ph.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Bryan Little, M.D.

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Michael Carron, M.D.

Department of Pathology
Kaladhar Reddy, Ph.D.

Department of Pediatrics
Laura Benjamins, M.D.
Salome Cockern, Ph.D.

Department of Pharmacology
Michael Bannon, Ph.D.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Michael Ajluni, M.D.

Department of Physiology
Zhibing Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
Rebecca Klisz-Hulbert, M.D.
Gregory Mahr, M.D.
Mary Morreale, M.D.

Department of Surgery
Scott Langenberg, M.D.
Ashley Malach, M.D.

2024 VOLUNTARY FACULTY AWARD
Rachel Karmally, M.D., Internal Medicine