Loyola Honors Senior Scientist of the Year

MAYWOOD, Ill. -- Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM) will honor Tom Gallagher, PhD, with the Senior Scientist of the Year Award. Gallagher is a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at SSOM. The award ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in SSOM’s Tobin Hall. “Science is fundamentally interesting to me, and understanding nature has captured my attention since childhood,” said Gallagher. “I am honored to be recognized for my accomplishments in an area that truly intrigues and motivates me.” Associate and full professors at SSOM were eligible for the Senior Scientist of the Year Award. Nominees could be basic, clinical and translational investigators. Selection criteria were based on scientific productivity, scholarly service in professional society activities, editorial board and peer-reviewed activities, service to the institution, research funding and mentoring of students and trainees. Gallagher, who lives in Naperville, Ill., was among several candidates nominated by his peers for this award. He was then selected by an ad hoc committee composed of SSOM faculty. “Tom is an internationally recognized scientist and scholar who has been continually productive and committed to academia, research and training,” said Richard Kennedy, PhD, senior associate dean of research at SSOM and vice president of Health Sciences Research at Loyola University Health System. “We chose to honor Tom for the tremendous impact that he has had in training others and advancing the academic environment at SSOM and Loyola University Health System.” Gallagher received his PhD from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1987. He earned his degree in cell and molecular biology with a focus on virology. Gallagher went on to conduct postdoctoral work at the university and a postdoctoral fellowship at Scripps Research Institute, where he later became a senior research associate. Gallagher came to Loyola in 1992, where he continues to focus on virology. He currently is studying the corona virus, which commonly causes respiratory diseases. Gallagher will present information about his research during the Senior Scientist of the Year Award Ceremony. “I am fortunate to have had such an enriching career in research, teaching and service at Loyola,” said Gallagher. “Our university makes these career opportunities available, and this award is truly a reflection of our daily interactions with students and colleagues that are honoring the scientific process.” ###