Five School of Medicine faculty recognized as NIRA scholars

For the second year, VCU honored faculty members who have been nationally or internationally recognized for exceptional accomplishments during the course of their current evaluation period. Presented by the Office of the Provost, the National/International Recognition Award (NIRA) recognizes faculty who performed at the top of their unit and were recommended by their dean. This year, of the 40 faculty named NIRA scholars, five represent the School of Medicine:  

Ananda Amstadter, Ph.D. 
Department of Psychiatry  
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics 

Paula Bos, Ph.D. 
Department of Pathology 

Bernard Fuemmeler, Ph.D.  
Department of Family Medicine and Population Health 

Kurt Hauser, Ph.D. 
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology 
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology 

Devanand Sarkar, Ph.D.
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics 

NIRA helps VCU fulfill the Quest 2028 strategic plan goal to “retain and attract a diverse community of highly qualified faculty and staff that reflects a culture where everyone matters and belongs, and ensure the culture supports career satisfaction and growth.” 

Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of VCU, said in 2023 that NIRA recipients “represent the best of the best” across the university.  

“The NIRA is an important new way for VCU to show appreciation to professors who demonstrate excellence in their academic discipline, elevating not only their own profile but that of the entire university,” Rao said.