Pinn Scholars

Named in honor of the extraordinary career of Dr. Vivian Pinn, a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the inaugural director of the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health, the Pinn Scholars Program seeks to recognize and reward research faculty whose scientific expertise and productivity, mentorship, and service have resulted in significant contributions to the School of Medicine and greater research community. Up to three scholars will be chosen each year.  Scholars will receive funds to elevate their science and will participate in an annual symposium.

The program is limited to full-time faculty members who, at the date of nomination, hold the rank of Associate Professor (tenure optional) or have held the rank of Professor for not more than 3 years at the time of nomination.

To be considered, candidates will have a record of research accomplishment, and will have successfully renewed a competing R01 or equivalent grant, or will have demonstrated comparable success with investigator-initiated clinical research.  The candidate should also have documented evidence of collaboration within or outside the university, and demonstrated mentorship and service that have contributed to the UVA scientific community.  Scholars are also expected to model the ASPIRE values of the UVA Health System.

The SOM Office for Research will convene a committee that will meet annually to select the faculty members to join the cadre of existing Pinn scholars.

Each faculty member will bear the title of UVA Vivian Pinn Scholar for three consecutive years beginning in June.  No individual may be appointed to more than one three-year term.

Pinn Scholars will receive $120,000 for the three-year period to support their research programs exclusive of personal salary. Funds will be delivered to the scholars from the following sources at the beginning of the award:

• $40,000 external award from the UVA Health System
• $40,000 matching internal award from the nominating department/center
• $40,000 matching internal award from the School of Medicine

Maximum spending is limited to the cumulative Scholar award amount, i.e. no greater than $120,000.  At the end of year three, any unspent funds may be carried forward for one year; at the end of year four, any funds remaining will revert to funding awards for future scholars.

It is expected that these funds will be used to develop a new project or direction in the applicant’s research, which should be outlined in the application.  Pinn Scholars will share the results of their work and this new project in a yearly Pinn Scholars Symposium.

Department chairs or center directors will formally nominate eligible faculty. The following application documentation is required by April 10, 2023:

• Primary letter of nomination from sponsoring chair or center director clearly addressing eligibility criteria and accomplishments, and committing funds for the Pinn Scholar. These funds ($40,000) will be committed by June of the first year.
• Two letters of support, one of which is external to UVA.
• Curriculum Vitae, including current, pending, and past grant support and research accomplishments.
• The applicant’s description (one page) of how the award will be used to expand the applicant’s research in a new project or direction.

The required components and structure of the application are detailed on the submission site.

If you have questions, please contact Danny Burdine

Late or incomplete packets, or those that do not comply with the application guidelines, will not be considered.

Hao Jiang, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

Huiwang Ai, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics

Xiaowei Lu, PhD
Professor
Department of Cell Biology