by Bill Snyder

Three faculty members and five postdoctoral fellows at Vanderbilt University Medical Center received research honors last week from the American Physiological Society during its 2023 American Physiology Summit in Santa Monica, California.

The professional organization represents nearly 10,000 scientists and educators whose studies of physiology — biological function — are advancing understanding and treatment in medical fields as diverse as cancer, heart disease, obesity and addiction.

James Goldenring, MD, PhD, the Paul W. Sanger Professor of Experimental Surgery at VUMC, was presented with the Horace W. Davenport Distinguished Lectureship by the society’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology Section in recognition of his group’s significant contributions to understanding the development of gastric cancer and other GI diseases.

Goldenring is professor of Surgery and of Cell & Developmental Biology and vice chair of Surgical Research for the Section of Surgical Sciences. The lectureship, named for former APS president Horace W. Davenport, is the section’s most prestigious award.

“The American Physiological Society has been a continuing leader in the support of basic research in gastroenterology and, in particular, its commitment to the training and development of graduate students and postdocs,” Goldenring said. “I am truly humbled to receive this award from the APS, which really recognizes the efforts of so many trainees and collaborators who contributed immeasurably to this work over the years.”

Other VUMC faculty recognized during the Summit were Izumi Kaji, PhD, assistant professor of Surgery, and Matthew Alexander, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine.

Kaji, who is investigating nutrient sensing and absorptive mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract with a goal of treating congenital diarrhea, received the New Investigator Award from the Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology Section.

Alexander, whose basic and translational research is illuminating the role of the immune system in the development of hypertension, received the Data Sciences International New Investigator Award from the Water & Electrolyte Homeostasis Section.

Victoria Nasci, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Nephrology, received the Postdoctoral Excellence in Research Award from the society’s Renal Section.

Four postdoctoral fellows received Research Recognition Awards: Jeanne Ishimwe, PhD, from the Cardiovascular Section; Jamie Meegan, PhD, from the Respiration Section; and, from the Water & Electrolyte Homeostasis Section, Daniel Fehrenbach, PhD, and Jean Wassenaar, MD, PhD.

Ishimwe also received a Martin Frank Diversity Travel Award to attend the Summit.