MICHR Recognizes the 2025 Distinguished Clinical and Translational Research Mentor Award Recipients
MICHR is proud to announce the 2025 MICHR Mentor Awardees, a group of eight faculty and staff members whose significant contributions have greatly enriched the research environment at the University of Michigan.
Established in 2012, this award honors the exceptional dedication and commitment of outstanding faculty and staff members at the University of Michigan who serve as mentors in the field of clinical and translational science. The award recognizes those individuals who consistently foster the intellectual, creative, scholarly, and professional development of their mentees, guiding them to reach their highest potential.
Mentorship is a cornerstone in developing and maintaining a talented and diverse research workforce. Effective mentors not only impart valuable knowledge and skills but also inspire, support, and advocate for the next generation of researchers. Recipients of this award distinguish themselves by providing guidance that extends well beyond the expectations of their roles.
Out of a competitive field of remarkable research leaders, MICHR has selected individuals who meet the highest standard for clinical and translational research mentorship. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Recipients of the 2025 MICHR Distinguished Clinical and Translational Research Mentor Award
Top L to R: Analisa V. DiFeo, PhD; Hallie C. Prescott, MD, MSc; Muneesh Tewari, MD, PhD
Bottom L to R: Brad Zebrack, PhD, MSW, MPH; Kara Zivin, PhD, MS, MA, MFA
Analisa V. DiFeo, PhD, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Associate Director of the Cancer Biology Graduate Program, and Co-Director of the Tumor Microenvironment T32, Medical School
According to a nominator, “What sets her apart as a mentor is her holistic approach to nurturing her trainees. She takes the time to understand each individual’s strengths, challenges, and aspirations, offering tailored guidance that fosters both professional development and personal growth.”
Hallie C. Prescott, MD, MSc, Toews Family Legacy Professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Associate Professor in Internal Medicine, Medical School
According to a nominator, “Dr. Prescott has been a steadfast champion of my career development, consistently providing valuable insights, constructive feedback, and strategic advice tailored to my individual goals and aspirations.”
Muneesh Tewari, MD, PhD, Ray and Ruth Anderson-Laurence M. Sprague Memorial Research Professor, Professor of Internal Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, and Associate Division Chief for Basic Research, Hematology/Oncology Division, Medical School and College of Engineering
According to a nominator, “Dr. Tewari is truly dedicated to developing scientific advancement to improve people’s lives while advancing the personal and professional advancement of his mentees. The most inspiring quality I observed while working with Dr. Tewari is his open-mindedness in approaching scientific problems.”
Brad Zebrack, PhD, MSW, MPH, Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work, and member of the Rogel Cancer Center, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Medical School
According to a nominator, “He has provided opportunities for collaboration, offered strategic career advice, and provided support and guidance for my developing career. His ability to balance high expectations with compassionate support has been transformative.”
Kara Zivin, PhD, MS, MA, MFA, Marcia A. Valenstein, MD, Collegiate Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School; Professor of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health; Research Career Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Senior Health Researcher, Mathematica, Ann Arbor, Michigan
According to a nominator, “She has helped me navigate the complexities of being an early-career faculty member and, now, mid-career faculty member. She has anticipated potential challenges, shared institutional knowledge, answered questions that I didn’t even know to ask, and unfailingly equipped me with the tools to succeed.”
Recipients of the 2025 MICHR Clinical and Translational Research Faculty Peer Mentor Award
Top L to R: Lydia L. Benitez, PharmD, BCOP; Renuka Tipirneni, MD, MSc
Bottom: Alicia Carmichael, MS
Lydia L. Benitez, PharmD, BCOP, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Specialist, Medical School, and Clinical Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy
According to a nominator, “Dr. Benitez skillfully guides mentees through research design, data collection, and statistical analysis, and has led residents through complex multicenter trials, demonstrating her commitment to advancing research and nurturing future pharmacists.”
Renuka Tipirneni, MD, MSc, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Medical School, and Associate Professor of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health
According to a nominator, “One of her unique mentorship talents is her ability to strike the right balance in offering adequate support while allowing me to stretch and grow. To her, any mistakes I made were opportunities for learning, and the feedback she gave on my work was supportive, not critical.”
Recipient of the 2025 MICHR Clinical and Translational Research Staff Peer Mentor Award
Alicia Carmichael, MS, Research Area Specialist Lead, Research Center for Group Dynamics, Institute for Social Research
According to a nominator, “Alicia has been instrumental in guiding me and others through various aspects of the research process, from protocol design to IRB preparation, with patience, kindness, and encouragement.”