Inaugural Igel Research Award presented

As NEOMED’s founding chair of pathology, Howard Igel, M.D., was a respected clinician and faculty member. His legacy was recognized by his family with a significant gift to create the Igel Research Award in his memory.

Members of the Igel family, friends, faculty and staff of the University gathered for the presentation of the inaugural Igel Research Award to Jaclyn Welles, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biomedical sciences, on June 12.

“This is a special day,” said NEOMED President John Langell, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., FACS. “I would especially like to welcome and thank Janet Igel and the entire Igel family.... We are deeply grateful for your generosity, your partnership and your commitment to advancing medical research at NEOMED.”

Dr. Langell noted that high-level research leads to new solutions, therapies and treatments to improve patient outcomes.

“The impact of this award will extend far beyond a single project or a single award recipient. It is an investment into discovery, into innovation and into the future of medicine,” he said.

“The Igel family is honored to support the next generation of medical researchers,” said Janet Igel, Dr. Igel’s wife who spoke during program. “Howard was endlessly curious and deeply thoughtful about how ideas could move from concept to impact. This prize reflects his passion for discovery and his belief in investing wisely in people and innovation.”

In his opening remarks, Marc Basson, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., FACS, dean of the NEOMED College of Medicine, noted, “Dr. Howard Igel was a teacher, a researcher, a mentor and an innovator. This research award represents all of those attributes to which we, as physicians, aspire.”

Award recipient Dr. Welles, who is also among the University’s first Ignite Scholars, said, “It is an incredible honor to be the first Igel Award recipient. I truly believe that so much innovation and future research will come from this award.”

Dr. Welles studies chronic liver disease. The Igel Research Award will help advance her work examining the role of copper in disease and hormone regulation in the liver.

A native of New York state, she joined NEOMED from the University of Pennsylvania where she completed her post doc training. She received her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University.

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