Victor Nizet Receives Mentoring Award from the Society for Pediatric Research

For nearly three decades, Victor Nizet, M.D., distinguished professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has mentored a diverse group of trainees, many of whom have advanced to leadership roles in academia. That dedication to training and education was recognized recently with the Maureen Andrew Mentor Award from the Society for Pediatric Research. Established in 2003, the award recognizes exceptional mentorship that fosters excitement, creativity and scholarship, leading to outstanding research and teaching.

“Dr. Nizet exemplifies these qualities through his leadership in mentoring the next generation of scientists, setting a new standard in the fields of bacterial pathogenesis and innate immunity,” said Anjali A. Sharathkumar, M.D., chair of the Maureen Andrew Mentor Award selection committee. “He has shown particular dedication to supporting early-career women researchers, recognizing the unique challenges they face and actively fostering their success. His commitment to fostering diverse perspectives, promoting inclusion and supporting interdisciplinary mentorship has solidified his legacy as a transformative force in research and education, shaping the future of scientific leadership.”

The Nizet lab includes more than two dozen students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, visiting scholars and affiliated faculty. Their research is focused on looking at how our body's natural defense system works, how bacteria cause infections and how we can create treatments and vaccines to fight severe infections (like sepsis) and bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics.

“A robust new generation of biomedical researchers is essential for our health and future well-being. Being a mentor can provide guidance, confidence and accountability to help talented scholars reach their full potential. It is indeed a special type of reciprocal friendship, as I am learning and expanding my horizons through the process as well,” said Nizet, who is also vice chair for basic research for the Department of Pediatrics and a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Nizet’s lab has published more than 560 articles and collaborated with several biotechnology companies to develop novel antibiotic and immune-based therapies and vaccines.

He is currently the principal investigator (PI) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) T32 training program in infectious diseases and co-PI of the Eunice Shriver Kennedy National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) T32 training program in pediatric clinical pharmacology, both of which support postdoctoral scholars and clinical fellows. In support of junior faculty members, Nizet is the co-PI of the NIAID R25 Raising Advancement and Parity for Infectious Diseases Researchers and training director for the NICHD K12 Child Health Research Career Development Award.

Additionally, Nizet serves on the leadership committees of the School of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program, the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Pharm.D./Ph.D. program, San Diego Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award and the National Center for Leadership in Academic Medicine.

"Mentorship is genuinely the most fulfilling aspect of my profession as a physician and scientist, and this recognition affirms the importance of our investment in others’ growth and success,” said Nizet.