UWSOP Pharmaceutics Associate Professor Ed Kelly has been presented with the 2021 MLK Community Service Award, an annual honor celebrating individuals or groups who exemplify Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles. A champion of diversity, equity and inclusion in sciences for his entire career, Ed has served as a mentor for entering UW freshman in the GenOM-ALVA program for the past 15 years and frequently hosts diverse students from the Stipends for Training Aspiring Researchers (STAR) summer program.
“Dr. Kelly’s philosophy is that giving back, sharing knowledge, and helping others who may have had fewer advantages and opportunities are an essential part of science, and when done strategically and intentionally, result in more innovation and scientific impact,” said UWSOP Pharmaceutics colleague, Dr. Catherine Yeung. “His laboratory has gained a reputation among under-represented minority and first-generation college students at the UW and in the greater community for providing meaningful and rigorous experiences; everyone is consistently challenged to be their best – personally and scientifically.”
Dr. Nina Isoherranen, Professor and Milo Gibaldi Chair for the Department of Pharmaceutics, praised Ed’s devotion to the department’s focus on service and community.
“In all the aspects of service and commitment to making sure the community benefits from the discoveries made in science and has access to education, I could not think of a faculty member more deserving of the MLK Community Service Award than Ed,” she said.
In addition to being respected as a top-tier educator and researcher, Ed is also revered as a mentor to many students past and present. Here are some of his mentees, in their own words: