University of Texas Health Science Center Rewards Faculty Members

A respected Dallas-area physician, Melissa D. Tonn, MD, practices occupational medicine. Serving as the president and chief medical officer of OccMD Group, Dr. Melissa Tonn earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center (UT Health) at San Antonio.

Each year, the medical dean of UT Health recognizes the significant research, clinical, and mentoring achievements of faculty members. The award winners, nominated by fellow faculty members, receive a $5,000 prize at the annual faculty assembly.

The Distinguished Research Award is a new honor in 2018. The inaugural award went to Jean X. Jiang, PhD, the Ashbel Smith Professor of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, for her contributions to UT’s research mission over her 20-year career with the university. Dr. Jiang’s work currently focuses on the development of new immunological tools to target the hemichannel functions of gap junctions.