Alumni Association Honors Flynn

Francis Flynn, professor of psychology and neuroscience program director, is the recipient of the 11th Annual University of Wyoming Alumni Association/Wyoming Student Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty Award.

The award recognizes the critical role Flynn has played in the lives of his students. One of Flynn's students, Ryan Heyborne of Rock Springs, nominated him for the honor.

Flynn is Heyborne's career adviser. "He was very interested as I explained to him my plans to study medicine," Heyborne says. "He was happy to provide me with ideas and suggestions. I ended that visit with a better idea of what I needed to do to prepare myself for medical school, and a feeling that I had could easily call on him for help."

Describing Flynn as a "phenomenal instructor," Heyborne says, "I am amazed by the great extent of his knowledge and his ability to make complex concepts understandable. His skills as a lecturer are among the finest I have ever seen."

Heyborne worked in Flynn's laboratory, noting that, "Doing research with him has been the most educational and exciting experience I have had at the University of Wyoming." Heyborne developed a research project of his own in the lab and later was credited as a co-author of a paper. "Seeing my name on a scientific article that was published in a national journal has provided me with a sense of accomplishment greater than any other academic success I have had thus far. I will always be thankful to Professor Flynn for this amazing opportunity," Heyborne says.

Flynn has received National Institutes of Health grants totaling $4.7 million to research "Cellular responses to cardiovascular stress," along with another grant of $775,000 to study "Neuropeptides and salt intake."

Flynn is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, National Science Foundation, Medical Research Council of Canada, and the Israel Science Foundation. He has been honored with the UW College of Arts and Sciences' Extraordinary Merit for Research Award; a UW International Program Development Grant, and Mortar Board Top Prof Award.

Flynn received a B.A. (1973) from the University of Colorado, an M.A. (1977) from Northern Arizona University, a Ph.D. (1981) from Kansas State University, and he did postdoctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania.

Posted on Friday, May 18, 2001