Jacobs School Faculty, Staff Honored at 2026 Awards Event

By Keith Gillogly and Dirk Hoffman

The ceremony took place on May 19 in the school’s Ronald I. Dozoretz, MD ’62, Auditorium.

Elad I. Levy, MD, MBA, SUNY Distinguished Professor and L. Nelson Hopkins, MD, Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Jacobs School, was announced as the winner of the 2026 Stockton Kimball Award recognizing his many scientific achievements and exceptional service.

Levy has fundamentally influenced the field of neurosurgery, developing surgical techniques adopted worldwide and leading establishment of thrombectomy, or the removal of arterial clots, as a standard of care for stroke patients.

“The Stockton Kimball Award honors individuals whose careers exemplify excellence, leadership, and lasting impact. Dr. Levy embodies these ideals in every sense,” said Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, UB’s vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School.

Levy will present the Stockton Kimball Lecture in 2027.

The awards ceremony followed this year’s Stockton Kimball Lecture, which was delivered by Steven J. Fliesler, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Meyer H. Riwchun Endowed Chair Professor of ophthalmology in the Jacobs School.  

This year, three Dean’s Awards were presented by Brashear. The Dean’s Award honors extraordinary service to the school and individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference. Recipients are personally chosen by the dean.

Marc Halterman, MD, PhD

The first Dean’s Award winner was Marc Halterman, MD, PhD, senior associate dean for research and professor of neurology in the Jacobs School.

“Dr. Halterman has been instrumental in strengthening our research enterprise — fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, expanding training opportunities, and mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists,” Brashear said, highlighting his commitment to faculty development and mentoring.

Halterman directs the Jacobs School’s MD-PhD Program, equipping new physician-scientists to practice clinical care while remaining engaged in a variety of research pursuits.

Halterman has been essential to the Jacobs School’s rising research trajectory, Brashear said, noting that the school obtained $49.4 million in National Institutes of Health research funding in fiscal year 2025, up more than $7 million in a single year.

Brashear pointed to the school having five departments now ranked among the top 50 nationally, further evidence of a thriving research enterprise and Halterman’s influence, she said. 

Kristina Costanzo-Metcalfe, MEd

Brashear next presented a Dean’s Award to Kristina Costanzo-Metcalfe, MEd, assistant dean and senior director for finance and administration and interim associate vice president for business operations and unit business officer at the Jacobs School.

Brashear said that Costanzo-Metcalfe is a “leader who brings a rare combination of strategic insight, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.”

Costanzo-Metcalfe oversees strategic direction for the school’s finances, budget, human resources, tuition revenue planning, and business operations. Brashear highlighted how Costanzo-Metcalfe has delivered more integrated, collaborative approaches to resource planning.

She’s further guided development of the school-wide budget and led complex financial modeling efforts to support the revised MD curriculum, accelerated three-year MD program, and other key projects.

“She leads with integrity, precision, and a deep sense of purpose. Her impact touches every corner of our institution, and her work continues to position the Jacobs School for long-term success," Brashear said.

Kelli C. Hickey

The final Dean’s Award was presented to Kelli C. Hickey, director of strategic undergraduate enrollment and operations.

Brashear described Hickey as a “leader whose work has been instrumental in shaping the strength and continued growth of undergraduate education at the Jacobs School.”

Hickey’s work has bolstered academic advising and enrollment management that’s made the Jacobs School’s programs responsive to students’ evolving needs, Brashear said. She has further built up undergraduate programs that guide students into careers in the health professions and enhanced understanding of student success across the Jacobs School and beyond.

“She leads with purpose, integrity, and a genuine dedication to students and colleagues alike — qualities that have left a lasting imprint on our school,” Brashear said of Hickey.

The John P. Naughton, MD, Staff Award was established in 1999 by Naughton, who served as dean of the Jacobs School for 23 years.

The award recognizes outstanding staff members, often among the “unsung heroes” of the school’s efforts and advancement who contribute significantly to the school and the fulfillment of its mission.

This year's Naughton Award recipient was Judith C. Fadel, senior staff assistant with the Jacobs School’s Department of Medicine.

Fadel plays a vital role ensuring the smooth operation of one of the school’s largest departments, Brashear said. She’s shown operational expertise working with the department’s leadership, university policies, and financial systems while also striving to improve processes and support institutional success.

“Judith’s contributions have strengthened the Department of Medicine and advanced the mission of the Jacobs School and UB. Her leadership, service and dedication make her exceptionally deserving of the John P. Naughton Award,” Brashear added.

Awards for research and clinical mentoring excellence were presented.

“These mentoring faculty research and clinical awards recognize faculty who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to mentoring of students, trainees and faculty in research and clinical work in medicine and biomedical sciences,” said Anyango Kamina, PhD, assistant dean for trainee and faculty development.

Recipients of research mentoring awards were:

Jessy J. Alexander, PhD, research professor of medicine

Alexander was recognized as an impactful and inclusive mentor who guides trainees into successful clinician-scientists while fostering independence, collaboration, and professional growth.

D. Fernando Estrada, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry

Estrada was described as someone who creates a supportive “lab family” culture, opening doors to presentations and networking while preparing trainees for successful, diverse careers.

Recipients of clinical mentoring awards were:

Michael R. DiGiacomo, MD, associate director of medical education and clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry

DiGiacomo was honored for encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and confidence, serving as a compassionate and highly approachable advocate for student success.

Sandra F. Sieminski, MD, clinical associate professor and interim chair of ophthalmology

Sieminski was described as providing hands-on mentorship across clinical care, surgery, and research, building confidence, independence, and long-term success in a supportive, patient-centered environment.

The Excellence in Teaching Awards recognize outstanding educators across the full spectrum of the Jacobs School, honoring teaching that takes place in classrooms, laboratories, clinics and in the community, Kamina said.

“These awards acknowledge that excellent teaching occurs in many different settings that shape our learners’ experiences,” she said.

Recipients of teaching awards were:

Joseph A. Costa, PhD, instructor, Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences

Costa was recognized for using storytelling to make anatomy engaging and understandable, fostering confidence, curiosity, and personal growth in his students.

Zackary M. Falls, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical informatics

Falls was honored for making complex topics accessible by tailoring his teaching to diverse learners and providing personalized support and encouragement.

John M. Improta, MD, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and director of day-to-day operations at the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) at Erie County Medical Center.

Improta was recognized for combining high-quality instruction with adaptive leadership, modeling excellence in clinical education in a demanding psychiatric emergency setting.

Lisa Jane Jacobsen, MD, MPH, clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology

Jacobsen was honored for bringing innovative, team-based learning to life, integrating clinical relevance and collaboration while earning high praise for her accessibility and mentorship.

Michael J. Morales, PhD, research associate professor of physiology and biophysics

Morales was described as a dedicated and innovative educator who has developed impactful teaching frameworks and tools that strengthen student outcomes and the curriculum.

Ashley Rogers, MD, clinical associate professor of surgery

Rogers was recognized for leading dynamic, learner-centered sessions that emphasize deep understanding and are already transforming surgical education.

Kamina said that “this honorary award acknowledges individuals whose actions, example and efforts contribute to a respectful and supportive environment at the university and in the Western New York community.” Recipients of the inclusion and cultural diversity award included a faculty member, staff member, medical student, and medical resident, respectively:

Cynthia A. Pristach, MD, clinical professor of psychiatry

Pristach was honored for demonstrated leadership in cultural humility, allyship, and equitable mental health care through innovative education, mentorship, community engagement, and advocacy for underserved and asylum-seeking populations.

Laura E. Yusick, JD, director of admissions in the Jacobs School’s Office of Medical Admissions

Yusick was recognized for championing leadership in medical admissions and outreach by advancing diversity and creating pathways to medicine for students from historically underrepresented communities.

Erinn Mangona, medical student, Class of 2027

Mangona was cited for spearheading a strong commitment to advocacy, equity, and inclusive excellence through leadership in LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives, and support for underserved patients at the Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic.

Amanda R. Levy, DO, family medicine resident

Levy was honored for fostering inclusive connection, visibility, and belonging across diverse communities through outreach, mentorship, and supportive leadership as a chief resident committed to creating a safe and equitable environment for all.

The event included a farewell to departing or recently departed Jacobs School department chairs.

“We want to recognize members of our community who begin new chapters in their professional lives,” said Gustavo Arrizabalaga, PhD, senior associate dean for faculty affairs. “In entering retirement, each has left a lasting mark on our community. Their leadership, scholarship and service have strengthened our school in profound and enduring ways.”

Departing chairs recognized were:

Michael Kuettel, MD, PhD, MBA, professor and chair of radiation oncology

Timothy F. Murphy, MD, senior associate dean for clinical and translational research

Three Jacobs School faculty have received exceptional honors at the SUNY system level.

“These SUNY-level recognitions represent rare and meaningful milestones in any academic career,” Arrizabalaga said. “They reflect exceptional accomplishment, unwavering dedication, and a profound impact on their fields, our institution, and the broader academic community.”

Those honored were:

Leonard E. Egede, MD, promoted to SUNY Distinguished Professor of medicine

Thomas D. Grant, PhD, assistant professor of structural biology, received the 2026 SUNY Chancellor’s Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship

John C. Panepinto, PhD, senior associate dean for biomedical education and professor of microbiology and immunology, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities

Faculty and staff members who’ve reached service milestones were also recognized.

40 Years

Robert Hard, associate professor of pathology and anatomical sciences

Mark L. Nagy, MD, clinical associate professor of otolaryngology

30 Years

Susan Graham, MD, professor of medicine

Norah S. Lincoff, MD, professor of neurology

Pamela D. Reed, MD, project staff associate and clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology