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Cornell receives biomedical mentorship excellence award at Washington, D.C. conference

Dr Ken Vornell writes on a white board while explaining a topic to two female lab student
Ken Cornell (right) teaches two students in the Biomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, photo by Priscilla Grover

Ken Cornell, a professor of chemistry and director of the Bioinformatics Core at Boise State, received the Outstanding Mentorship and Biomedical Training Award at the ninth National IDeA Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Conference in Washington, D.C. in June 2024.

This national award recognizes individuals from INBRE programs who demonstrate excellence in mentoring and teaching undergraduate and graduate students. At Boise State, Cornell serves as a mentor to all Center of Biomedical Research Excellence investigators. He has dedicated decades to advancing biomedical research, education and student success at the university.

A biochemistry undergraduate student from Cornell’s lab, Hassan Mohamed, recently won second place in the Undergraduate Fellows Student Choice at the 2024 (INBRE Statewide Research Conference. Here is what he had to say about Cornell’s mentorship on his own academic success.

“Dr. Cornell is an incredible mentor who really knows how to guide and lead us. His straightforward approach keeps us pushing towards our best, and his dedication to our success is truly inspiring,” said Mohamed. “One of the best things about Dr. Cornell is his ability to break down complex concepts and make them easy to understand. This skill is incredibly valuable in a research setting where things can get pretty complicated. Whether it’s through one-on-one chats or group meetings, he’s always there to help and provide guidance.”