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Innovation for Impact Award

The award was established by the School of Medicine Recognitions Committee on behalf of the Dean to recognize faculty inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs whose contributions resulted in a significant impact on human health or have the potential to be paradigm-shifting.

Faculty member accepts glass award on stage with dean

2024 Winners Spotlight

Mohammad Khan Radiation Oncology

Dr. Mohammad Khan has been a pivotal leader in the growth of radiation and immunotherapy programs at Emory, and leads clinical services for the management of lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, and skin cancer malignancies. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Khan has led research on multiple innovative practices and treatments, actively transforming the field.

Most notably, Dr. Khan has transformed the field of radiation treatment by leading novel research using low-dose radiation to treat pneumonia in COVID-19 patients. He led the world’s first phase 1 and phase 2 trials in this area, and initial results show improved outcomes. Dr. Khan’s work led to multiple publications on radiation treatment in COVID patients, including 7 that he authored. He also wrote a protocol that was adopted in institutions across the world. Dr. Khan has been credited with helping millions of patients through his work, saving countless lives, and was even praised as a “global hero” for his contributions. His innovative research was featured over 25 times in national/international media outlets including CNN, Fox News, Forbes, and New York Times.

Mohammad Khan headshot

Stephen Traynelis Pharmacology and Chemical Biology

Dr. Stephen Traynelis’ research over the past 30 years has focused on many different forms of ligand gated ion channels, with particular emphasis on glutamate receptors. Dr. Traynelis has provided considerable insight into the roles of these receptors in synaptic function, brain ischemia, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. Some of these findings led directly to Dr. Traynelis’ co-founding of a company (NeurOp Inc) that has translated an understanding of NMDA receptor modulation into the development of neuroprotective agents that act at high potency in regions of injury with minimal side effects in healthy tissue. His work has led to 11 issued patents, with others pending, and the development of multiple new drug candidates that have entered clinical trials. Dr. Traynelis has written sophisticated analysis and mathematical modeling software that has been used by nearly 100 laboratories worldwide. His lab was the first to identify highly selective modulators for NMDA receptors that contain the GluN2C or GluN2D subunits and determine in detail their mechanisms of action. Dr. Traynelis has also been an exceptional mentor to more than 100 trainees, many of whom have gone on to illustrious careers in research.

Stephen Traynelis headshot

Previous Awardees

2023

2022 

2021 

2020

2019



Nomination Process

One or more faculty members or teams will be honored with the Innovation for Impact Award in 2024.

The award recognizes innovation that transforms or has enormous potential to transform clinical, educational, scholarly, and/or societal outcomes, regardless of whether the innovation is in their specialty. The award is NOT meant to recognize bedside prowess, teaching, mentoring, scholarship, or quality improvement that results from the augmentation of existing systems or therapies.

Deadline

Nominations will be accepted through July 10, 2024.  

Eligibility

All faculty members with a primary appointment in the SOM for a minimum of three years. Those who have received this award in the past 3 years are not eligible. View previous award winners online.

Nominations

Faculty must be nominated by another faculty member, staff member, or trainee of SOM, Emory University, Emory Healthcare, or an Emory affiliate. The nomination should consist of a concise narrative (1,000 words or less) describing the transformative innovation and its impact(s).

Examples can include (but are not limited to):

  • New, innovative technology/devices
  • Groundbreaking scientific discoveries that address bold questions
  • Creative approaches to process and/or operational improvement
  • Paradigm-shifting approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, or disease prevention
  • Novel programs or projects in care delivery, connectivity, and health promotion
  • Pioneering educational programs and processes

Submission

Use the online Award Nomination Form and include the following:

  • Nominating letter (1,000 words or less)
  • Optional materials: One additional letter of support (500 words or less)

Decision

Will be made by the School of Medicine Recognitions Committee and approved by the Dean.

Award

The recipient of the SOM Innovation for Impact Award will be honored during the annual Celebration of Faculty Eminence.

Questions should be directed to SOM Office of Faculty Academic Affairs and Professional Development at somfde@emory.edu.