A worldwide research reputation in the use of genetically engineered insect cells and assessing and restoring wildlife habitats have earned two scientists outstanding research awards from the University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (AES).
UW Department of Molecular Biology Professor Don Jarvis was presented the Outstanding Research Award, and assistant Professor Jeff Beck in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management received the Early Career Research Achievement Award.
The Outstanding Research Award recognizes accomplishments of established scientists in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
"Professor Jarvis exemplifies the spirit of this award," says Bret Hess, AES director snd associate dean of research for the college. "In addition to being a well-respected and very accomplished scientist, he has taken discoveries of his basic research program to the next level. His multiple license agreements demonstrate his research has practical implications."
Jarvis joined UW as an associate professor in 1998 and became a professor in 2000. His research studies the use of genetically engineered insect cells for manufacturing vaccines, diagnostics or therapeutics for use in human and veterinary medicine.
He has five active National Institutes of Health grants totaling $3.8 million, with five proposals under review, and has more than 30 previous grants. Jarvis also holds eight patents based on his research and has filed 10 patent applications and invention disclosures. He has participated in two start-up biotechnology companies.
The Early Career Achievement Award recognizes achievements by junior scientists in the college.
"Assistant Professor Jeff Beck's accomplishments are remarkable for a scientist at this stage in his career," Hess notes. "He is on a trajectory to become a leading expert on wildlife populations and habitat conditions in disturbed landscapes."
Beck began at UW as a post-doctoral scientist in 2006 and joined the department faculty in 2007 as an assistant professor. His research focuses on assessing and restoring wildlife habitats. A particular emphasis studies restoration efforts relative to species inhabiting sagebrush steppe ecosystems.
He has received grants totaling more than $3.5 million in his four years at UW.
