Research Awards and Impacts
VAGLAHS is home to many outstanding researchers whose contributions span a wide range of disciplines, with a common commitment to excellence, collaboration, and service. We are honored to recognize a distinguished group of clinicians, allied health researchers and scientists whose groundbreaking work continues to shape the future of health care for Veterans. These awardees have demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing scientific knowledge, improving clinical practices, and driving innovations that directly enhance the lives of those who have served our nation.
Career Development Awards
- Samuel Abplanalp, MD, Schizophrenia (Social Disconnection)
- Eric Apaydin, PhD, MPP, Provider Burnout
- Jihane Benhammou, MD, Cancer (Liver)
- Gwendolyn Carlson, PhD, Stress Disorders (PTSD)
- Lauren Catalano, PhD, Schizophrenia (Social Motivation)
- Melissa Chinchilla, PhD, Homelessness
- Nichole Goodsmith, Women’s Health and Serious Mental Illness
- Taylor Harris, PhD, Homelessness
- Michael Hsu, MD, Homelessness
- Dan Ly, MD, PhD, Diabetes
- Kunal Patel, MD, Cancer (Brain)
- Ramin Salehi-Rad, MD, Cancer (Immunology)
- Benjamin Seligman, MD, Immunology (Influenza)
- Evan Shannon, MD, Homelessness
- Shilpa Sharma, MD, Cardiology and Nephrology
- Luca Valle, MD, Cancer (Prostate)
- Julie Wu, MD, Cancer (Lung)
- Jonathan Yahalom, PhD, Military Trauma
- Yvonne Yang, MD, Schizophrenia
Research Career Scientist Awards
Research Career Scientist Awards provide career track and salary support for outstanding non-clinician scientists who have shown their commitment to VA research through scientific productivity, committee participation, teaching and mentoring, and other important research-related activities in areas of high relevance to the VHA healthcare system in fulfillment of its mission.
Research Career Scientists
- Yang K. Xiang, PhD, 2025, Cardiovascular Disease
- Stephanie Taylor, PhD, 2023, Complementary & Integrative Health
- Alison B. Hamilton, PhD, MPH, 2021, Women Veterans’ Health (Access to Care)
- Nicholas Brecha, PhD, 2020, Sensory Loss (Vision)
Senior Research Career Scientists
- Anna Gukovskaya, PhD, 2021, Pancreatitis
- Jerome M. Siegel, PhD, 2020, Sleep Disorders
- Elizabeth M. Yano, PhD, MSHS, 2019, Women Veterans’ Health
- Hideakazu Tsukamoto, PhD, 2018, Liver Disease (Alcohol Use)
Undersecretary’s Awards in Health Services Research
The VA Undersecretary Award in Health Services Research for Outstanding Achievement in Health Systems Research is the highest honor for VA health services researchers who contribute to a major improvement in the quality of Veterans' health care or has added significantly to the understanding of factors that affect the health of America's Veterans.
- Donna Washington, MD, MPH, FACP, 2020, Health Equity, Women Veteran’s Health
- Elizabeth Yano, PhD, MSPH, 2012, Women Veterans’ Health
- Paul Shekelle, MD, PhD, MPH, 2011, Evidence Synthesis
- Lisa Rubenstein, MD, MSPH, 2001, Primary Care/Mental Health
Clinician Scientist Investigator Awards
The Senior Clinician Scientist Investigator Award (SCSI) recognizes and retains outstanding clinician scientists engaged in VA research while they continue to provide high quality and timely clinical care to Veterans.
- Tzung K. Hsiai, MD, 2025, Cardiovascular Disease
- Jonathan D. Kaunitz, MD, 2023, Digestive Diseases
- Gregory A. Brent, MD, 2019, Diabetes and Other Endocrine Disorders
John Blair Barnwell Award
VA Research John Blair Barnwell Award is ORD’s highest honor for outstanding achievement in clinical science to recognize senior VHA investigators who have achieved international acclaim for clinical research accomplishments in areas of prime importance to VA's research mission and who have also demonstrated a high level of clinical commitment to the patient population.
- Matthew Rettig, MD, 2025, Prostate Cancer; Precision Medicine
William S. Middleton Awards
VA Research's William S. Middleton Award is the highest honor awarded to senior VA biomedical research scientists in recognition of their outstanding scientific contributions and achievements in the areas of biomedical and bio-behavioral research relevant to the healthcare of Veterans.
- Steven M. Dubinett, MD, 2019, Immunology, Lung Cancer
- Yvette F. Tache, MD, 2014, Gastroenterology; Neurology
- Jerome M. Siegel, MD, 2010, Sleep Disorders, Parkinson’s Disease
- Neil Kaplowitz, MD, 1993, Liver Disease (Alcohol & Drug Use)
- George M. Sachs, MD, 1992, Gastroenterology
- Sydney M. Finegold, MD, 1983, Infectious Diseases
- William H. Oldendorf, MD, 1976, Radiology, Thyroid Disease
- Lucien B. Guze, MD, 1965, Nephrology
Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)
The Presidential PECASE Award recognizes and retains outstanding clinician scientists engaged in VA research while they continue to provide high quality and timely clinical care to Veterans.
- Jivianne Lee, MD, 2025, Post Oncologic Plastic Surgery
- Steven Asch, MD, 2004, Primary Care
Our Research Impacts
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System's Research Service honors exceptional scientists who work tirelessly to answer the important questions essential to improving Veterans’ health and welfare.