Sally A. Camper, Ph.D., and Lori J. Pierce, M.D., to receive Muraszko Award

Two Medical School leaders are being honored for their efforts to help women forge successful careers in academic medicine and science.

Sally A. Camper, Ph.D., and Lori J. Pierce, M.D., will receive the Karin Muraszko, M.D., Advancing Women in Academic Medicine and Science Award on Feb. 5 at the third annual Celebration of Women in Academic Medicine and Science.

The event will take place from 3-5 p.m. in the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Auditorium of the A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, with a reception to follow from 5-6 p.m. in the Gilbert S. Omenn Atrium. It will include a plenary talk by Gardner C. Quarton Distinguished University Professor of Neurosciences Huda Akil, Ph.D., and presentation of the Muraszko Award to Camper and Pierce. Event details will be updated HERE as the celebration draws near. Faculty, staff and learners interested in attending should reply HERE by Jan. 20.

The Muraszko Award honors individuals who have demonstrated impact in advancing women individually (e.g., as a mentor, sponsor, advocate), who serve as a role model for women, and whose contributions to academic medicine or science through clinical care, research, education, leadership, innovation, policy and/or service have made a significant systemic impact on advancing women’s careers in academic medicine or science.

“Dr. Camper and Dr. Pierce have forged different career paths, each hugely impactful, and both have emphasized helping women colleagues to thrive,” says Executive Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Debra F. Weinstein, M.D.  “Our expanding roster of Muraszko Award recipients — and amazing nominees — highlight how many of our women leaders across Michigan Medicine make it a priority to mentor, support, guide, and elevate those around them.”

Sally A. Camper, Ph.D.

Camper, left, is the Margery Shaw Distinguished University Professor of Human Genetics and Internal Medicine, and a professor of human genetics and internal medicine in the Medical School. She served as the James V. Neel Professor and chair of the Department of Human Genetics from 2005-15.

Colleagues who nominated Camper say she is an outstanding and constant role model, and that she exemplifies the award through her impactful research program, mentorship of women scientists in her laboratory, leadership roles in the field of human genetics, and significant, long-term service to the University of Michigan.

They note that she has worked with trainees at all levels — undergraduate, master’s, Ph.D., and medical students, and postdoctoral fellows — in her laboratory, which is a world leader in the field of pituitary biology and related human inherited diseases.

A majority of her trainees have gone on to secure highly competitive positions in the field of human genetics, and many are now leaders in the field, have been promoted or obtained tenure, and are recipients of numerous national and international accolades.

“Sally Camper has achieved an outstanding record of leadership, mentorship and accomplishment with a profound impact on the careers of numerous women, as a mentor

and role model,” writes Miriam Meisler, Ph.D., the Myron Levine Distinguished University Professor of Human Genetics and a professor of human genetics and neurology in the Medical School. “She is a prominent member of the medical school faculty and widely appreciated for advancing so many research careers at Michigan.”

Lori J. Pierce, M.D., FASTRO, FASCO, FAACR

Pierce, right, is a professor of radiation oncology in the Medical School and adjunct professor of nursing in the School of Nursing. She served the University of Michigan as vice provost for academic and faculty affairs for nearly 20 years.

Pierce’s nominators say she embodies the quintessential clinician-scientist — known not only for her advancements in breast cancer, but also in her mentorship and development of junior women clinicians and scientists. During the past five years, she has served as a primary clinical or research mentor to more than 20 individuals. Of those, a 16 are now at least at the assistant professor level, or on the tenure track, at various institutions nationally.

Pierce has dedicated her career to the treatment of breast cancer patients. Her research focuses on the use of radiotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer, with emphasis on cardiac-sparing treatment planning, the use of radiosensitizing agents, and the outcomes of women treated with radiation for breast cancer who are carriers of a BRCA1/2 breast cancer susceptibility gene.

“Throughout her illustrious career, she has impacted the lives of many who have gone on to have successful careers in medicine, and in particular women scientists, including those who are current leaders in our field,” writes Daniel T. Chang, M.D., the Isadore Lampe Professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and Laurie K. McCauley, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., the William K. and Mary Anne Najjar Professor and U-M provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, in a co-authored nomination letter. “She has had one of the most truly extraordinary careers of anyone in academic medicine … and her track record and legacy from a lifetime of mentorship and teaching is unparalleled.” 

The duo’s portraits will be added to a display in Medical Science Building I that honors Muraszko Award recipients. The display, which includes quotes from various women leaders and faculty, is located on the fourth floor near the elevator bank commonly used to access to the EVPMA/Dean’s Office on floors 6-7.