Award for Distinguished Research in the Biomedical Sciences

Nominees will be evaluated by the review committee on the following precise criteria: 

• The nominee’s research contributions have resulted in significant or novel discoveries.
• The nominee’s research discoveries have advanced a scientific paradigm.
• The nominee’s research discoveries have the potential to lead to, or have already led to, significant benefits to human health and well-being (either by the nominee directly or by others who may be or have been enabled by the nominee’s foundational discoveries).
• The nominee demonstrates contributions to biomedical research beyond their own work (e.g., mentoring, review panels, task forces, editorial boards).
• The nominee demonstrates standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity. 

Nominees should demonstrate excellence in all criteria listed above.

Individuals or teams of two individuals may be nominated. All nominees must have a faculty appointment at AAMC-member medical schools or teaching hospitals, but rank is not a criterion for this award.

Anyone may submit a nomination. Nominations must be received by Jan. 26, 2024, via the electronic entry form. The fields required for nomination can be previewed here.

The review committee will select up to three finalists. Nominators of finalists will be notified by March 8, 2024, that they are invited to submit additional materials. Final-round additional materials must include:

• One two-page letter of support of the finalist authored by an AAMC-member institution’s dean, chief executive officer, or president on institutional letterhead.
• Two additional two-page letters of support attesting to how the finalist demonstrates the criteria of the Research Award.
• Copies of up to five key publications by the nominee.

Additional support materials must be submitted by April 5, 2024. There is no need to compile these resources before notification on March 8.

The winner of the award will be notified by July 12, 2024, and honored during the AAMC Virtual Awards Recognition event.

Please address all questions to:
Sandra Gordon
202-828-0472
sgordon@aamc.org

The Award for Distinguished Research in Biomedical Sciences honors an individual or a team of two individuals for outstanding research in the basic or translational sciences.

James Earl Crowe Jr., MD, is the 2023 recipient of the Award for Distinguished Research in the Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Crowe a professor of pathology, microbiology, and immunology at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, has developed antibody treatments for a broad range of pathogens, including avian and swine influenza strains, Ebola, smallpox, mpox, dengue, and, most recently, the SARS- CoV-2 virus that led to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about previous recipients.