This new, targeted award recognizes significant medical education innovations at SIU School of Medicine. The award was established in honor of Debra Klamen, MD, MHPE, Senior Associate Dean for Education and Curriculum, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medical Education. Dr. Klamen has been a driving force in advancing medical education through her innovative contributions at both local and global levels. AWARD WINNERS: 2024 - Debra L. Klamen, MD, MHPE 2025 - Nicholas Weshinskey, PhD Nominee Eligibility: Any individuals or groups who worked collectively at SIU SOM on educational

For Annie Kowalis DMSc, PA-C, the path to becoming a physician assistant began in childhood. The daughter of first-generation immigrants, she spent countless hours in medical offices acting as a translator for her family. “It was evident to me at a young age that medical professionals embodied a skillful balance of compassion, confidence, brilliance, and courage,” she recalls. That early experience set the foundation for a lifelong commitment to medicine and patient care. As a 2024 graduate of the SIU Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program, Dr. Kowalis brings her extensive clinical

For Annie Kowalis DMSc, PA-C, the path to becoming a physician assistant began in childhood. The daughter of first-generation immigrants, she spent countless hours in medical offices acting as a translator for her family. “It was evident to me at a young age that medical professionals embodied a skillful balance of compassion, confidence, brilliance, and courage,” she recalls. That early experience set the foundation for a lifelong commitment to medicine and patient care. As a 2024 graduate of the SIU Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program, Dr. Kowalis brings her extensive clinical

SIU School of Medicine’s MBBS Graduate Program offers flexible master’s and doctoral degree options designed to support a wide range of career goals in science, education and health care. Students benefit from interdisciplinary lab rotations, customizable coursework, and faculty mentorship across three SIU campuses—Carbondale, Edwardsville and Springfield—giving them the freedom to explore and focus their research interests.

The rules of scientific research have changed dramatically over the past two decades. Grants are more competitive. Expectations for rigor, repeatability and transparency are higher. And researchers must now juggle cutting-edge methods with rising regulatory demands while pushing for breakthroughs. Quietly yet influentially, Dr. Sophia Ran has met those challenges head-on. Since arriving at SIU School of Medicine in 2003, Ran, has maintained continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense and other agencies, a rare feat even among seasoned

The rules of scientific research have changed dramatically over the past two decades. Grants are more competitive. Expectations for rigor, repeatability and transparency are higher. And researchers must now juggle cutting-edge methods with rising regulatory demands while pushing for breakthroughs. Quietly yet influentially, Dr. Sophia Ran has met those challenges head-on. Since arriving at SIU School of Medicine in 2003, Ran, has maintained continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense and other agencies, a rare feat even among seasoned

The rules of scientific research have changed dramatically over the past two decades. Grants are more competitive. Expectations for rigor, repeatability and transparency are higher. And researchers must now juggle cutting-edge methods with rising regulatory demands while pushing for breakthroughs. Quietly yet influentially, Dr. Sophia Ran has met those challenges head-on. Since arriving at SIU School of Medicine in 2003, Ran, has maintained continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense and other agencies, a rare feat even among seasoned