WHS grad Andrew Horn receives the University Distinguished Professors Excellence in Doctoral Studies Award
Sumner Newscow report — Wellington High School graduate Andrew Horn, doctoral candidate in kinesiology, has been selected as one of three recipients of the University Distinguished Professors Excellence in Doctoral Students Award.
The award recognizes doctoral candidates who have accomplished exceptional achievements in graduate studies. These doctoral students demonstrated excellence in scholarship through publications and other accomplishments suitable for their academic field.
Horn’s dissertation research aims to significantly advance our knowledge of diaphragm vascular function in health and disease.
He was one of three students to receive this award. Fan Liu of Anhui, China, a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering and Sabita Ranabhat of Chitwan, Nepal, a doctoral candidate in entomology were also named.
The awards recognize doctoral candidates who have accomplished exceptional achievements in graduate studies. These doctoral students demonstrated excellence in scholarship through publications and other accomplishments suitable for their academic field. The University Distinguished Professors group established guidelines and criteria to evaluate candidates and partnered with the Graduate School to coordinate the selection process.
“By focusing on the underlying pathology, blood vessels, it would open a new window into therapeutic targets to improve respiratory muscle functions and enhance the quality of life in aged individuals, heart failure patients, and mechanically ventilated patients, such as those with severe COVID-19,” Horn said. “Diaphragm dysfunction is prevalent in advanced age as well as heart failure and mechanically ventilated patients, which increases the risk of respiratory muscle failure and premature death. The underlying cause of this diaphragm dysfunction is related to impaired blood vessel function in the diaphragm, which limits the blood flow and oxygen needed to support proper diaphragm contraction.”
Horn received a $2,400 award to recognize his outstanding doctoral work. His major professors are Brad Behnke, professor of kinesiology, and David Poole, university distinguished professor of kinesiology and physiology. View a brief video summary of Horn’s research.
