Overview
The Richard Armstrong Award honors the life and legacy of Dr. Richard N. Armstrong, a distinguished Vanderbilt biochemist, internationally respected researcher, devoted educator, and inspiring mentor whose impact extended far beyond the laboratory.
Dr. Armstrong was widely recognized for pioneering contributions to biochemistry and structural biology, particularly his groundbreaking research on enzymes involved in detoxification and cellular protection. His work advanced scientific understanding of how the body processes toxins and therapeutic compounds, influencing both biomedical research and pharmaceutical science.
Equally admired for his generosity, leadership, and dedication to students, Dr. Armstrong cultivated a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and academic excellence throughout his career at Vanderbilt. This award recognizes students who embody the same spirit of intellectual rigor, integrity, mentorship, and service that defined his remarkable life and enduring influence on the Vanderbilt community.
Previous Winners
Ryan Fansler (Zhu Lab)
2025
Title: "NO Country for B. theta: A Novel sRNA-DNA-Transcription Factor Complex Coordinates Commensal Nitrosative Stress Response"
Xiaoyu “Lily” Yu (Kojetin Lab)
2024
Title: "Defining the atypical friendship (activation mechanism) between RXRα and orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1"
Rachael Wolters (Crowe Lab)
2023
Title: "Discovery and characterization of protective influenza type B virus neuraminidase antibodies"
Emma Guiberson (Caprioli Lab)
2022
Title: "Discovery of Bile Acid-Associated Molecular Changes in the Murine Gastrointestinal Tract During C. difficile Infection"
Madison Wright (Plate Lab)
2021
Title: "Protein-Protein Interactions in Quality Control: From Steady-State Interactions to Time-Resolved Dynamics"
Audrey Yñigez-Gutierrez (Bachmann Lab)
2020
Title: "Biosynthetic Derivatization of Antimicrobial Orthosomycins to Engage a Unique Ribosomal Binding Site"
Christian Meyer (Quaranta Lab)
2019
Title: "A Consensus Framework for Calculating Drug Synergy"
Jacob Choby (Skaar Lab)
2018
Title: "Interactions guiding hemehomeostasisin S. aureus"
Michelle Mitchener (Marnett Lab)
2017
Title: "Oxidation of the Lipid and DNA Peroxidation-Derived DNA Adduct M1dG to 6-oxo-M1dG in Genomic DNA"