Two MIT scientists win 2006 Pioneer Awards Elizabeth A. Thomson, News Office September 19, 2006
Two MIT faculty are among 13 scientists nationwide to receive 2006 Pioneer Awards today from the National Institutes of Health for their "highly innovative research."Professors Arup K. Chakraborty and James L. Sherley will each receive $2.5 million over five years. [snip]
Sherley, an associate professor of biological engineering affiliated with the Center for Cancer Research, is working "to develop routine methods for the production of human adult stem cells from liver, pancreas, hair follicles and bone marrow."
Professor Sherley is a great professor and researcher. Although I have only known him for a year, I can easily say that he has had the greatest impact on me of any of the professors here, and I don't think that my experience is a unique one. Regardless of how busy he is, he always make time for his students. I am always impressed at his enthusiasm for his research and the research of his students. He has really set an example by standing up for his beliefs and not letting the majority rule, whether it be in opposing embryonic stem cell research, or in asking that MIT re-examine how his tenure case has been treated. I ask you to take a careful look at his tenure case and the issues surrounding it, and if you find that his case has been unfairly treated, please send it on to the Engineering committee.