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ATLANTA—Dr. James Weyhenmeyer, vice president for research and economic development at Georgia State University, has received an Industry Growth Award from Georgia Bio, a private nonprofit organization that promotes the life sciences industry and university research in Georgia.
Now in their 20th year, the Georgia Bio Life Science Health Impact Awards recognize achievement and excellence in the life sciences industry in Georgia. The Industry Growth Awards are the highest honors bestowed each year, and recognize individuals in the public and private sectors who have made extraordinary contributions to the state’s life sciences industry.
“Dr. Weyhenmeyer is being recognized for his role in strengthening life sciences research at Georgia State and re-envisioning the university’s research environment,” said Russell Allen, president and chief executive officer of Georgia Bio. “In his six years at Georgia State, Dr. Weyhenmeyer has dramatically transformed the scope of life sciences research at the university, earning it a secure place among the top institutions in the country.”
“I am deeply honored to receive this award from Georgia Bio, an organization that has been instrumental in furthering the life sciences here in Georgia,” said Weyhenmeyer. “It is a testament not only to the growth of Georgia State’s research portfolio, but to our growing reputation for research that delivers life-changing impact.”
Since joining Georgia State in 2011, Weyhenmeyer has nearly tripled the university’s research funding, with research expenditures on target to exceed $200 million this year. This remarkable rate of growth has outpaced all universities in Georgia and most in the country.
He has recruited numerous high-profile scientists to the university, overseen the construction of new research facilities and research partnerships and introduced nine new university-level research centers and institutes. The newest of these—the Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Research—was introduced this month.
In addition, Dr. Ashley Bohn, who earned a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and biochemistry from Georgia State in 2017, was named an Emerging Leader of the Year. While working in the lab of Georgia State professor and Institute for Biomedical Sciences director Dr. Jiang-Dong Li, Bohn performed research on the regulation of molecular inflammatory pathways.
Georgia Bio will present the awards on Feb. 15 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. View the list of winners here.