Midwest D-CFAR leader honored for excellence in research mentorship

OCTOBER 8, 2025

Dima Dandachi, MD

Dima Dandachi, MD, co-director of the Midwest D-CFAR’s Scientific Working Group, was selected as the recipient of the 2025 University of Missouri School of Medicine Excellence in Research Mentoring Award in 2025.

Nominations for this prestigious award come from trainees, and are evaluated on the following candidate attributes:

• Demonstrates continuous success in research mentoring of MU trainees and/or junior faculty

• Creates a supportive environment for trainees to engage in research and promoting successful completion of trainee’s research

• Shows evidence of sustained commitment to promote the personal and professional growth and development of research trainees

According to one of her nominators: “Dr. Dima Dandachi represents research mentoring at its finest. She combines brilliant scientific leadership with genuine dedication to trainee development, viewing our success as her greatest achievement.”

Dr. Dandachi will be presented with this award on November 14 at the annual MU School of Medicine Health Sciences Research Day Award Ceremony.

Congratulations, Dr. Dandachi, from your colleagues at the Midwest D-CFAR!

Written by Bettina Mittendorfer, Senior Associate Dean for Research, MU School of Medicine. Edited by April Houston. Featured photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash.