Award at a Glance
Award amount: $2,000, plus early registration for the American Physiology Summit.
Deadline: Dec. 9
Questions? Contact: Weiqin Chen, PhD, Chair, E&M Section Awards Committee
Award Description
The Virendra B. Mahesh Award of Excellence in Endocrinology & Metabolism was established to promote the career development of young investigators pursuing endocrinology and metabolism physiology research. The award will be presented to an outstanding graduate student or postdoctoral fellow who is a rising star in the fields of endocrinology and metabolism.
Award Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated in the following areas:
- Academic career and research accomplishments based on career stage.
- Abstract submitted to the American Physiology Summit, with focus on a clearly stated hypothesis or aim, the technical approach and statistical analysis, results reporting and an appropriate conclusion and significance.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be an APS member in good standing.
- Be a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow who has completed at least two years of full-time graduate research.
- Be first author on an abstract submitted to an Endocrinology & Metabolism (E&M) Section topic category.
- Be able to attend the Summit to accept the award.
Previous Virendra B. Mahesh Award recipients are ineligible to apply.
Application Requirements
A complete application must include:
- Confirmation that the applicant’s abstract is submitted to an E&M Section topic category.
- A PDF of the abstract submission.
- The abstract number and first author’s name and a sponsor’s or advisor’s name and email address.
- A biosketch in the National Institutes of Health format.
- A recommendation letter from applicant’s sponsor or advisor, featuring:
- A description of why the trainee deserves the award, including their academic career, research and other accomplishments.
- An overview of the trainee's role on the research project presented in the abstract and their eligibility for the award.
The E&M Section Virendra B. Mahesh Award Committee selects one recipient each year.
Conditions of the Award
The recipient must accept the award at the Summit and give an oral presentation at the E&M Section awardee session. They must also attend the E&M Section business meeting, banquet and awards reception. The awardee is responsible for funding their travel.
Applicants may apply to as many awards as they are eligible for; however, recipients may only accept one abstract-based award for the Summit.
About Virendra B. Mahesh
Virendra B. Mahesh, DPhil, PhD, (1932–2019) was an internationally renowned reproductive biologist, endocrinologist and educator whose research on steroid hormones, ovulation, polycystic ovarian syndrome and reproductive health advanced the understanding of fertility and helped shape modern contraceptive therapies. He spent more than four decades at the Medical College of Georgia, publishing hundreds of scientific papers, mentoring generations of researchers and earning recognition as a leading figure in physiology.