2024 Distinguished Alumni Award for Achievement: Paul McCray Jr., MD

Paul McCray performed fundamental research to understand airway innate immunity and respiratory infections, including SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. He developed innovative animal models of coronavirus lung disease and cystic fibrosis to study pathogenesis and therapies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a mouse model of coronavirus infection that McCray had previously developed became one of the most scientifically useful vehicles for studying the virus and testing vaccines and treatments. He discovered the human and mouse beta-defensin gene clusters that protect the lung. He used this knowledge of host defenses and virus entry mechanisms to advance therapeutic gene delivery to airway epithelia. The Roy J. Carver Chair in Pulmonary Research, McCray has served as a role model and mentor to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, pediatrics trainees, and junior faculty at Iowa.

Meet Jordan Williams

Jordan Williams, ATC, will graduate from our Physician Assistant Studies and Services program in December. He has made advocacy a focus of his career and education as he makes the transition from certified athletic trainer to PA.