2006 MAS Outstanding Contribution to Science Award winner.

Dr. David Dzielak's outstanding record in teaching, research and service to the community has earned him accolades from the Mississippi Academy of Sciences.

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Dzielak, associate vice chancellor for strategic research alliances, is the 2006 recipient of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences "Outstanding Contribution to Science Award."

"I was really surprised to get nominated," Dzielak said. "It really is quite an honor."

Dzielak was nominated by Dr. Ham Benghuzzi, professor and interim chair of cytotechnology and chairman of health sciences.

"He has helped our students to understand the basic and advanced physiological components of the nervous and gastrointestinal systems," Benghuzzi said. "The students find Dr. Dzielak easy to understand as well as readily available to help them on a one to one basis to understand the concepts."

A New York native, Dzielak received his baccalaureate degree from Cornell University and earned his PhD in pharmacology and toxicology at the Medical Center in 1981. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in physiology and biophysics here in 1983 and joined the UMC faculty as an assistant professor in the department of physiology and biophysics. After a brief stint in the pharmaceutical industry in 1986 he returned to the Medical Center in 1987 in the Department of Surgery. He is currently a professor of surgery and an associate professor of physiology and biophysics. Dzielak was cited for teaching excellence by the M1s in 1995 and by the Carl G. Evers Society in 1997-1998. He was named executive director of the Office of Research in 1998, associate vice chancellor for research in 2001, and to associate vice chancellor for strategic research alliances in 2005.

Dzielak has been a recipient of the Special Research Achievement Award from the Mississippi Affiliate of the American Heart Association. Included among his professional memberships are the American Physiological Society Sigma Xi, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society of Hypertension.

"I am pleased the Mississippi Academy of Sciences has recognized Dr. Dzielak's contributions to science with this award," said Dr. Dan Jones, vice chancellor for health affairs. "Dr. Dzielak has been a key to our institution's progress in research in the recent years. I congratulate him on this recognition."

Benghuzzi said he has witnessed first hand Dr. Dzielak's love for teaching.

"He is very dynamic and uses many motivational approaches to try and instill the same interest in his field to the students," he said. "Dr. Dzielak's mannerisms and character allow the students to feel comfortable to approach him for help."

"What is most impressive about Dr. Dzielak is his ability to listen. He is never too busy to listen and advise whether it be students, colleagues, or congressman. There is no doubt that he is truly an excellent teacher, researcher and administrator."