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The award is a top honor among the 200 categories Lagniappe readers vote on annually in their readers' choice awards. The award categories range from Hardest Working Elected Official to Best Sweet Tea.
Dr. Wilson was awarded for his work with Dr. Mark Gillespie, USA professor and chair of pharmacology, in creating a drug that attaches to the mitochondria of a cell and repairs organ damage.
“This award is the product of 30 years of research being made into something that is translational,” said Dr. Wilson, who has been teaching at USA since 1980.
According to Dr. Wilson, there are numerous potential applications of the drug. “Our long-term hope is that it will slow down the growth of cancer cells and help treat patients with sepsis,” explained Dr. Wilson, the first USA scientist to hold this title. “In the short term, it will provide treatments for heart attack, stroke and lung and other organ transplants.”
“We received thousands of ballots from our readers, and Dr. Wilson won the title of ‘Best Mobilian Right Now,’” said Ashley Toland-Trice, co-publisher and editor of Lagniappe. “This title is awarded to a citizen that the readers feel is currently doing something significant for the community. We certainly agree with their choice this year.”
The drug was patented and copyrighted to USA and, in turn, licensed to Exscien, a company started by Drs. Wilson and Gillespie along with Steve and Christine Cumbie. The drug is currently undergoing the approval process with the Federal Drug Administration.
To read the full article published by Lagniappe, click here.
