In the Department of Global Health faculty are dedicated to improving health for all through their research, teaching, and service to the university and our partners around the world. In recognition of their exemplary work at the University of Washington and beyond, two Department of Global Health faculty members, Drs. Kenneth Mugwanya, associate professor, and Julianne Meisner, assistant professor, have been awarded endowed appointments which will support them in advancing innovative teaching, research, and community engagement in DGH and beyond.
Dr. Kenneth Mugwanya, Associate Professor in Global Health
King K. Holmes Endowed Professorship in STD and AIDS
A globally recognized expert in HIV prevention, Dr. Kenneth Mugwanya has been awarded the King K. Holmes Endowed Professorship in STD and AIDS. This appointment honors the storied career of Dr. King K. Holmes, founding Chair of DGH and long-time UW faculty, who is recognized as the lead architect of the field of STD & AIDS research and a mentor to hundreds of young STD & AIDS investigators.
Embodying the qualities and dedication this endowed professorship seeks to recognize and support, Dr. Mugwanya mirrors Dr. Holmes’ passion for interdisciplinary collaborative research and mentorship through his extensive history of providing training opportunities for early-stage investigators, and mentoring international trainees navigating careers in HIV research. The source of his passion? Those who guided him on his own research journey. “This honor acknowledges not only my work but also the exceptional mentorship I have been fortunate to receive from my mentors, all of whom are products of King's vision and remarkable legacy.”
Looking towards the future, Dr. Mugwanya plans to continue the mentorship cycle started by Dr. Holmes.
"As we remember and celebrate Dr. King Holmes’ life, I am incredibly humbled and inspired to further his boundless legacy of nurturing new talent. With this award, I plan to expand on collaborative research that innovate solutions to global STD and HIV prevention challenges and provide robust mentorship to the next generation of researchers working to make meaningful impact globally.”
Dr. Julianne Meisner, Assistant Professor in Global Health
Marian & David Blazes Health Ecology Endowed Faculty Fellowship
Dr. Julianne Meisner has been selected as the inaugural holder of the Blazes Health Ecology Faculty Fellowship, which provides opportunities for professional development for faculty whose research is focused on the intersection of health and the environment/ecology.
An epidemiologist and veterinarian, Dr. Meisner’s research and teaching focus on climate change, One Health, and zoonotic diseases. Using an innovative interdisciplinary approach, she works to better understand and address the complex interactions and impacts among environmental changes and human and animal health and well-being.
Through studying these connections, she works closely with researchers across departments and disciplines, and hopes to continue strengthening these relationships. “This award will allow me to expand my collaborative and professional network outside of the UW, in the fields of health ecology, medical geography, and climate change and health.”
As these partnerships continue to grow, Dr. Meisner plans to expand her research and plant and nurture seeds for future projects. “I will use support from this award to attend conferences in these fields, linked to visits to institutions and scholars working in these fields," shares Dr. Meisner. "While visiting these institutions, I plan to meet with faculty and students and attend and give research seminars. Ultimately, this award will help me to establish the necessary foundation for future research projects in health ecology.”
Congratulations Drs. Mugwanya and Meisner! We can’t wait to see how these appointments support your research and aid you in our mission to improve health for all.