Microbiology Immunology | Emory School of Medicine

Annual Awards in Microbiology & Immunology

The 2025 Department Awards in Microbiology and Nominations (DAMN) were announced July 2025. At a ceremony to honor the winners, awards were given out to recognize and celebrate stellar achievements of Microbiology and Immunology faculty, staff, and post-doctoral trainees:

Teacher of the Year Award Marcin Grabowicz, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Dr. Jeremy Boss presented award to Dr. Marcin Grabowicz at awards ceremony.

Colleague Champion Award Anice Lowen, PhD, Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Dr. Jeremy Boss presented award to Dr. Anice Lowen at awards ceremony. Also pictured is Dr. Seema Lakdawala.

Outreach Award Alison Swaims Kohlmeier, PhD, Assistant Professor, Departments of Gynecology & Obstetrics and Microbiology & Immunology

Alison Swaims Kohlmeier, PhD, is an assistant professor in Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine and secondary faculty in the department of Microbiology and Immunology.

Service Award Shonna McBride, PhD, Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Dr. Jeremy Boss presented award to Dr. Shonna McBride at awards ceremony. Also pictured is Dr. Seema Lakdawala.

Mentor of the Year Award Chaoran Li, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Chaoran Li, PhD, is an associate professor in Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Li was promoted to associate professor effective September 1, 2025.

Innovation/Impact Paper of the Year Award Lucas Ferreri, PhD, Instructor, Microbiology & Immunology

Lucas Ferreri, PhD, Instructor in the Lowan Lab, recieved the Innovation/Impact Award for the paper, "Dispersal of influenza virus populations within the respiratory tract shapes their evolutionary potential," Proc Natl Acad Sci U S, January 2025. Dr. Jeremy Boss presented award to Dr. Ferreri at awards ceremony, July 2025.

Staff Member of the Year Award Rebecca Masel, Office Manager, Microbiology & Immunology

Dr. Jeremy Boss presented award to Ms. Rebecca Masel at awards ceremony, July 2025.

Hidden Gem Award Cheryl Day, PhD, Professor, Microbiology & Immunology

Cheryl Day, PhD, is a professor in Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Day was promoted to professor effective September 1, 2025.

Post-doc of the Year Award Gracie Quirk, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Lakdawala Lab

Dr. Jeremy Boss presented award to Gracie Quirk, PhD, at awards ceremony, July 2025. Also pictured is Dr. Seema Lakdawala.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology section navigation

Department Awards in Microbiology and Nominations (DAMN) Awards