Christopher Wright, professor of cell and developmental biology who holds the Louise B. McGavock Chair, has been honored with the 2022 Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize. The award, presented by the Society for Developmental Biology, recognizes outstanding and innovative contributions to teaching and learning. Wright was nominated by a former postdoctoral trainee, Maureen Gannon, now a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt.
Since joining the department in 1990, Wright and his lab members have used multiple model organisms to investigate the embryonic development of complex organ systems. The research can shed light on human congenital birth defects and disease susceptibility. Wright also runs a successful NIH T32 training grant (on stem cell and regenerative developmental biology) and directs the related Program in Developmental Biology.