Ellen Kraig, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, has been named a 2019 Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. She will receive a $5,000 award, certificate and gold pin, which will be presented at the foundation’s request by William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, president of UT Health San Antonio.
These awards were established in 1958 to recognize outstanding college professors across Texas and are made annually to only 10 educators to honor their dedication to teaching and outstanding academic achievement.
Dr. Kraig has long been recognized for her teaching prowess. In 1996, she received the UT Health San Antonio Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence, and in 2000 she was recognized with the inaugural Graduate Dean’s Award for Exceptional Graduate Teaching. In 2018 she received the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award from The University of Texas System.
Dr. Kraig has primarily been involved in graduate education, and has taught courses that include genetics, molecular biology, immunology, and presentation skills. In addition, she has been the supervising professor for nine doctoral students and nine master’s students. Her laboratory studies the effects of aging on immunity, autoimmunity, and tolerance. Her long-term goal is to optimize vaccines for use in older individuals.
Dr. Kraig said she was thankful to the Piper Foundation for this prestigious award and for all it does statewide to recognize scholarly activities and advance educational opportunities.