WSPR Awards
WSPR will sponsor the following awards for 2026:
WSPR Abbott Nutrition Young Investigator Research Award
This award is conferred every year to an outstanding pediatric scientist in the early phase of their career. The nominee must have a junior faculty (assistant professor, instructor, etc.) academic appointment. The winner receives $1,000 and an engraved plaque, which will be presented to them at the annual meeting. The award winner will be asked to present a summary of their work at the WMRC combined plenary session. Nominations can only be submitted by an active or emeritus member of WSPR.
Nominations should include:
- Nomination letter stating the reasons for the nomination of the candidate
- Copy of the nominee’s CV
- Copies of reprints, preprints, or other documents if applicable
- Assurance of attendance at the WMRC
Completed applications/nominations should be submitted electronically through the WSPR Awards Qualtrics form: https://ucdenver.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Mt46VL2fBvULpY
Deadline for receipt: September 25th, 2025
WSPR Abbott Nutrition David W. Smith Pediatric Trainee Research Award
This award is conferred every year to an outstanding pediatric resident or fellow involved in pediatric research. The criteria for this award include: original, unpublished research by a pediatric resident or fellow, under the auspices of a WSPR member or in a WSPR-affiliated program, during house staff training or within the first three years of the applicant’s pediatric fellowship training program. The award is given during or within one year following the period of training described above. The award winner receives a $1000 honorarium and an engraved plaque, which will be presented to them at the annual meeting. Nominees are expected to submit an abstract to WSPR and present their work at the plenary session of the Annual Meeting. Nominations can only be submitted by an active or emeritus member of WSPR.
Nominations should include:
- Narrative letter describing the research and its significance, the background of the nominee, and assurance (signature) that the nominee will be available to present their work
- Copy of the nominee’s WMRC abstract
- Copy of the nominee’s CV
- Copies of reprints, preprints, or other documents if applicable
Completed applications/nominations should be submitted electronically through the WSPR Awards Qualtrics form: https://ucdenver.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Mt46VL2fBvULpY
Deadline for receipt: September 25th, 2025
WSPR Joseph W. St. Geme Jr. Mentorship Award
This award is conferred annually by WSPR in recognition of outstanding achievement in pediatric mentorship. Nominees must have demonstrated commitment to pediatric education and mentorship during their career. There are no age requirement for this award. The award is presented to a winner at the plenary session of the Annual Meeting and is accompanied by a $1,000 honorarium and an engraved plaque. Nominations can only be submitted by an active or emeritus member of WSPR. Nominees are encouraged but not required to have WSPR membership.
Nominations should include:
- Narrative letter detailing the reasons why the nominee is deserving of the award
- Copy of the nominee’s CV
- Supportive data on achievements in education/mentorship (optional)
Completed applications/nominations should be submitted electronically through the WSPR Awards Qualtrics form: https://ucdenver.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Mt46VL2fBvULpY
Deadline for receipt: September 25th, 2025
Other Travel Awards
WSPR travel awards are conferred annually to individuals who submitted top-scoring abstracts (as ranked by subspeciality reviewers) for WMRC. Awardees must make an oral or poster presentation of the abstract at a subspeciality session or the plenary session of the meeting. Travel awards available for 2025 include:
- WSPR Outstanding Pediatric Resident Research Award ($750): presented to the top scoring abstract submitted by a Pediatric Trainee (PL1, PL2, or PL3).
- WSPR Lowell Glasgow Student Research Award ($750): presented to the top scoring abstract submitted by a student (medical, graduate, and/or undergraduate).
- WSPR Subspeciality Awards ($500): presented to students, residents, fellows, research technicians/assistants, and junior faculty who submitted top-scoring abstracts.
2025 Award Winners
Listed below are the WSPR award winners for 2025! Congratulations to these fantastic researchers.
Application-Based Awards
| David W. Smith Pediatric Trainee Research Award | Jorge Rodriguez-Gil | Stanford University |
| Young Investigator Award | Daniah Beleford | UC Davis |
| Joseph W. St. Geme Jr. Award | Satyan Lakshminrusimha | UC Davis |
Abstract-Based Awards (Abbott Nutrition Sponsored)
| Outstanding Pediatric Resident Research Award | Jessica Santana | UC Davis |
| Lowell Glasgow Student Research Award | Alissa Reed | Western University of Health Sciences |
| Subspecialty Award – Genetics | Dennis Gurfinkel | University of Colorado |
| Subspecialty Award – Neonatal Pulmonary | Jamie Archambault | University of Colorado |
| Subspecialty Award – Neonatal General | Erin Riley | UC Davis |
| Subspecialty Award – Perinatal Biology | Jacob Taylor | University of Utah |
| Subspecialty Award – Adolescent Medicine | Talia Thompson | University of Colorado |
| Subspecialty Award – Behavior, Development and Psychology | Shalika Devireddy | Creighton University |
Abstract-Based Awards (Reckitt/Mead Johnson Sponsored)
| Subspecialty Award – Morphogenesis & Malformations | Sarah Banerji | Stanford University |
| Subspecialty Award – Genetics | Beltran Borges | UCSF |
| Subspecialty Award – Neonatal Pulmonary | Betty Pham | UCSD |
| Subspecialty Award – Neonatal General | Shannon Nielsen | University of Utah |
| Subspecialty Award – Adolescent Medicine | Isabel Friesner | University of Colorado |
| Subspecialty Award – Behavior, Development and Psychology | Rocio Velasco Poblaciones | Stanford University |
| Junior Faculty Award – Neonatal General | Tim Bahr | University of Utah |
| Junior Faculty Award – Perinatal Biology | Ivana Maric | Stanford University |
| Junior Faculty Award – Behavior, Development, and Psychology | Yair Bannett | Stanford University |
| Junior Faculty Award – Behavior, Development, and Psychology | Nhu Tran | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles |
| Junior Faculty Award – Genetics | David Blair | UCSF |
| Research Staff Award – Neonatology General | Sabrina Madrigal | Lundquist Institute |
| Research Staff Award – Neonatology General | Evan Giusto | UC Davis |
Abstract-Based Awards (Prolacta Sponsored)
| Prolacta Research Award | Alex Ueoka | Hawaii Pacific Health |
| Prolacta Research Award | Chynna Swift | UCSF |
| Prolacta Research Award | Abhinav Janappareddi | University of Washington |
| Prolacta Research Award | Maille Moriarty | University of Washington |
| Prolacta Research Award | Noelle Gorka | Stanford University |
| Prolacta Research Award | Joslynn Hoburg | University of Utah |
| Prolacta Research Award | Brandon Saiki | UCSD |
Abstract-Based Awards (Chiesi Sponsored)
| Chiesi Research Award | Zareh Torabyan | UCSF |
| Chiesi Research Award | Bridget Fernandez | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles |
| Chiesi Research Award | Ranjha Khan | UCSF |
| Chiesi Research Award | Alyssa Keller | University of Colorado |
| Chiesi Research Award | Kathryn Glaittli | University of Nevada Reno |
| Chiesi Research Award | Emma Banwell | University of Utah |
| Chiesi Research Award | Crystal Hsueh | UCLA |
| Chiesi Research Award | Chelsea Barrows | Loyola University |
University-Sponsored Awards
| University of Colorado Resident Award | Nazanin Kazemi-Butterfield | University of Colorado |
2025 WSPR Award Winners: From left, Daniah Beleford (Young Investigator Awardee), Kathy Ruminsky (Abbott Nutrition Representative), & Alissa Reed (Lowell Glasgow Awardee)