From launching an historic NASA mission to confronting Iowa’s cancer burden in each of the state's 99 counties, University of Iowa researchers and research professionals are driving discoveries that improve lives in Iowa and far beyond.
The Office of the Vice President for Research recognized 10 faculty and staff members with 2026 Discovery and Innovation Awards, a longstanding program celebrating excellence in research, scholarship, creative activity, public engagement, and research support across the university.
“This year’s recipients are advancing high-impact work that addresses complex challenges, fuels innovation, and delivers meaningful benefits to communities in Iowa and around the world ,” says David Schwebel, vice president for research, “They reflect both individual excellence and the collaborative environment that makes research at the University of Iowa so impactful.”
Faculty Awards: Advancing discovery across disciplines
Scholar of the Year
David Miles, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), has been named the 2026 Scholar of the Year. The award recognizes nationally distinguished achievement in research, scholarship, and creative activity in the past 24 months.
In 2023, Miles became the principal investigator for the largest external project in university history: TRACERS, the $171.6 million NASA-funded mission. Focused on understanding how Earth’s magnetosphere protects the planet from solar wind, the effort required major organizational and technical coordination. Miles restructured the project’s management and overcame significant challenges, leading the team to deliver the spacecraft for a successful launch on July 23, 2025.
He is a leader in the field of space physics instrumentation, advancing magnetometer technology that helps scientists understand how Earth’s magnetic field stores and releases energy, driving space weather such as auroras.
“Professor Miles has successfully led the TRACERS mission to launch, the newest crown jewel in a long and storied history of space exploration led by the University of Iowa,” says Gregory Howes, professor and departmental executive officer (DEO) in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “The scientific contributions flowing from this achievement will remain a point of pride for the university for decades to come, and his innovative development of a new generation magnetic field instruments will cement Iowa’s reputation as a leader in space physics, both nationally and internationally.”
Leadership in Research Award
Elizabeth Chrischilles, professor and DEO of the Department of Epidemiology and Marvin A. and Rose Lee Pomerantz Endowed Chair in Public Health in the College of Public Health, received the 2026 Leadership in Research Award, a lifetime achievement recognizing enduring research and scholarly accomplishments.
Over 44 years, Chrischilles’ scholarship has informed health policy and improved national health care systems, particularly in medication safety and effectiveness. She has pioneered the field of pharmacoepidemiology, examining who, why, when and where medicines are used and how their use affects patients. Her research compares the effectiveness of interventions for cancer and heart disease, particularly among older populations and those with disabilities.
Her career funding exceeds $75 million, including 63 grants as the primary investigator. Chrischilles serves as dual PI for the Greater Plains Collaborative, a network of 14 major medical centers funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Clinical Research Network, and holds leadership roles in the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science. Her work has led to the development of new FDA medical product surveillance tools and a model for pharmacist-led care for Medicaid patients. She also has shaped the field of public health through 250 peer-reviewed articles and her mentorship of more than 50 PhD students and fellows.
“She is a distinguished scholar recognized locally, nationally, and internationally for her research excellence and collaborative efforts,” says Hans-Joachim Lehmler, associate dean for research in the College of Public Health. “Her work has crucial implications for patient-centered outcomes research.”
Early Career Scholar of the Year
Jessica Gorzelitz, assistant professor in the Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology in CLAS, is the 2026 Early Career Scholar of the Year.
Gorzelitz studies how physical activity can improve health outcomes for cancer survivors, particularly those in rural communities. Major media outlets — including the BBC, Time, and Newsweek — have featured her research. She also led the creation of the Exercise Oncology Clinic, an initiative that integrates research and patient care with support from university’s Public-Private Partnership (P3).
“I have witnessed firsthand her exceptional capabilities, and I am confident she will continue to emerge as a leader in cancer control, population science, and survivorship,” says Gary Pierce, professor and chair of the Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology.
Distinguished Achievement in Publicly Engaged Research
Martha Carvour, assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in the Carver College of Medicine (CCOM), received the 2026 Distinguished Achievement in Publicly Engaged Research Award.
A physician specializing in diabetes-related infections, Carvour leads a statewide initiative focused on improving health outcomes and healthcare access for Iowans. This initiative was established in 2021 with the support of P3 funding. This ambitious public health project collaborates with more than 24 partner organizations to improve healthcare access for underserved groups across the state by working with community members to guide and take part in research. Carvour’s work also engages dozens of students across colleges and has resulted in 13 student-led manuscripts.
“I have witnessed Dr. Carvour’s unique ability to bring together academic medicine, patients, and community health navigators as equal partners,” says Marina del Rios, professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Chicago, who worked with Carvour in the Carver College of Medicine from 2021 to 2024 and as co-investigators on a CDC-funded study in 2024-2025. “Her relentless focus on amplifying the voices of those most impacted by health disparities sets a gold standard for public health research.”
Distinguished Achievement in Arts and Humanities Research
Robert Bork, professor in the School of Art and Art History in CLAS, received the 2026 Distinguished Achievement in Arts and Humanities Research Award.
Drawing on training in physics and art history, Bork applies interdisciplinary methods to understanding medieval Gothic architecture. He has been particularly focused on the geometric principles of Gothic design, studying both original drawings and buildings such as Reims Cathedral and Notre-Dame in Paris. He explores their proportions with his computer, often using 3D digital models based on laser scanning. His research projects frequently involve the participation of students, including undergraduates from the College of Engineering as well as the School of Art, Art History, and Design.
Bork is the sole author of four books, with a fifth forthcoming coming in 2026, and the principal editor of five additional volumes. In the past five years, he has published 19 peer-reviewed articles and delivered 23 invited presentations.
“Rob is one of the College of Liberal Arts and Science’s most prolific arts/humanities scholars, a deep and original thinker whose interdisciplinary approach to understanding medieval Gothic architecture has earned him an international reputation,” says Joshua Weiner, CLAS associate dean for research. “Across his 27 years at the University of Iowa Rob has also been a wonderful colleague who has contributed to the success of the institution in a number of ways.”
2026 Faculty Communicating Ideas Award
Mary Charlton, professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the College of Public Health and director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, received the 2026 Faculty Communicating Ideas Award, which honors excellence in communicating research to the public through print and electronic media.
As Iowa continues to have the second-highest rate of new cancers in the U.S., Charlton’s leadership has brought critical attention to the state’s cancer burden. She co-authors the annual Cancer in Iowa report and leads its dissemination through press conferences and interviews, generating more than 1,800 media mentions in national and Iowa-based outlets in a single year. She also spearheaded the 99 Counties Project, conducting community meetings in every Iowa county to provide local cancer data and discuss prevention strategies.
“Dr. Charlton’s work exemplifies clarity, creativity, and societal impact,” says Lehmler. “She tackles one of Iowa’s most pressing health challenges by engaging the public with accurate, actionable information and by fostering partnerships that translate research into practice.”
OUR Distinguished Mentor Awards
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) selected two recipients for the 2026 Distinguished Mentor Awards.
Jared McLendon, assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics in the College of Pharmacy, has built a research environment that emphasizes rigor, independence, and professional growth for undergraduate students. Within this supportive structure, McLendon’s team investigates how the loss of the protein SORBS2 contributes to Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular conditions.
“Dr. McLendon’s mentorship has shaped not only how I approach science, but how I approach learning, collaboration, and growth more broadly,” says Kaleb Feia, an undergraduate research assistant in McLendon’s lab. “He sets high expectations while providing the guidance and trust necessary for students to meet them.”
Bingbing Zhang, assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in CLAS, actively integrates undergraduates into her research, helping them develop critical thinking and methodological skills while contributing to timely questions about technology and society. Zhang champions student success beyond the classroom while she examines how emerging technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping news production and media consumption.
“Throughout our time together, Professor Zhang has made me feel incredibly valued as a researcher,” says Bailey Vergara, a second-year undergraduate research assistant. “She’s always pushed me to strive for every available research opportunity; even when I’ve felt like I wasn’t qualified enough, she encouraged me to reach for the stars.”
Staff Awards: Powering the research enterprise
Discovery at Iowa depends not only on faculty leadership but also on expert staff who sustain complex research operations.
Distinguished Research Administrator
Teresa Gaffey, director of finance and business operations for IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering in the College of Engineering, received the 2026 Distinguished Research Administrator Award.
Since 1994, Gaffey has helped steward IIHR’s growth and oversees more than $17 million in research grants and contracts annually. In FY2025, that portfolio encompassed 152 distinct contracts and grants from 72 sponsors. Gaffey is a trusted resource for faculty and staff on all post‑award processes, consistently providing clear guidance, proactive support, and reliable expertise. Her deep understanding of financial and research administration has made her an invaluable asset to IIHR and the College of Engineering, strengthening operations and contributing significantly to the success of our teams.
“Teresa has transformed into a leader whose work sustains the institute, its people, and its mission of research, education, and service,” says Larry Weber, IIHR director and Edwin B. Green Chair in Hydraulics. “She is a core part of a long tradition of dedicated faculty and staff who have made IIHR and the University of Iowa into an organization known worldwide for excellence and innovation.”
Distinguished Research Professional
Richard Dvorsky, aerospace principal engineer and interim research administrator in the Department of Physics and Astronomy received the 2026 Distinguished Research Professional Award.
Dvorsky has served in several key engineering positions in the Department of Physics and Astronomy since 2009. He has made key contributions to multiple NASA missions, including the Van Allen Probes, which explored Earth’s radiation belts, and Juno, a space probe that has orbited Jupiter since 2016.
In 2023, principal investigator David Miles named Dvorsky the project systems engineer for the TRACERS project. Dvorsky worked closely with Miles to guide the team through complex technical challenges, culminating in the spacecraft’s successful launch in July 2025.
Dvorsky also has played a key role in establishing the Iowa Spaceflight Laboratory, a new service center in Van Allen Hall dedicated to the design, testing, and integration of spaceflight instrumentation. Staffed by engineers and technicians from the TRACERS mission, the lab supports both internal and external research projects.
“Dvorsky is an exceptionally talented and dedicated staff member who has provided exceptional service in support of research at the University of Iowa through his essential role in the TRACERS satellite mission,” says Miles.