Duke University has awarded distinguished professorships to 22 faculty members in the School of Medicine. Distinguished professorships, most of which are endowed, are awarded to faculty who have demonstrated extraordinary scholarship in advancing science and improving human health.
Nine of the 22 new Distinguished Professors are women.
Esen Karamursel Akpek was appointed the Stephen & Frances Foster Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology. She is chief of the division of ocular immunology at the medical school. Dr. Akpek is a clinician-scientist with dual expertise in complex anterior segment surgery and ocular immunology. She has redefined standards of care in dry eye disease. Dr. Akpek earned her medical degree at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Türkiye.
Sharon Fekrat was named the Robert Machemer, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology. She is vice chair for faculty affairs in the department of ophthalmology. Dr. Fekrat also has appointments in the departments of surgery and neurology. She is recognized internationally for her contributions to retinal disease research. Dr. Fekrat is a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where she majored in biomedical sciences. She earned her medical degree at the University of Chicago.
Susan Nicole Hastings is the Florence McAlister Distinguished Professor of Medicine. She is chief of the division of general internal medicine and also has an appointment in the department of population health sciences. Dr. Hastings’ scholarly contributions focus on designing, evaluating, and disseminating innovative care models that improve outcomes for medically complex, vulnerable older patients. Dr. Hastings earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Goldis Malek was appointed as the Joseph A.C. Wadsworth Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology. She is vice chair of academic excellence and engagement in the department of ophthalmology and also has appointments in the departments of cell biology and pathology. She is internationally recognized leader in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying age‑related retinal diseases. Dr. Matek is a graduate of the University of South Florida, where she majored in psychology and biology. She holds a Ph.D. in vision science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Trudy G. Oliver was named the George Barth Geller Distinguished Professor for Research in Pharmacology. She is an internationally recognized cancer biologist whose work has transformed the understanding of small cell lung cancer and lung squamous cell carcinoma. Dr. Oliver is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University. She earned a Ph.D. at Duke University.
Mari L. Shinohara is the Alter Geller Distinguished Professor for Research in Immunology. She also holds appointments in neurobiology, cell biology, and molecular genetics and microbiology. Her research focuses on understanding how the immune system fine-tunes the balance between protective responses against pathogens and excessive and uncontrolled responses that can lead to autoimmunity. A Duke faculty member since 2009, Dr. Shinohara serves as director of graduate studies for the immunology department.
Debra Lynn Silver was named the Duke School of Medicine Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience. She is an internationally recognized geneticist and developmental neurobiologist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of how the mammalian and human brain develops, and how these processes fail in congenital disorders such as microcephaly. Dr. Silver is a graduate of Tufts University in Massachusetts. She holds a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Catherine Ann Staton was appointed as the Catherine Wilfert Distinguished Professor of Emergency Medicine. She also has appointments in neurosurgery and population health sciences. She has established one of the largest and most well-funded Emergency Medicine Global Health programs in the United States, emphasizing capacity building, training, and research. Dr. Stanton earned a medical doctorate at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and a Ph.D. from the State University of Maringa in Brazil.
Nanthia Suthana is the Carol Gram Deane Presidential Distinguished Professor in Neurosurgery. She also has academic appointments in the departments of biomedical engineering and neurobiology. Her research aims to advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying memory and emotion. Dr. Suthana holds a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles.