Rogers Award honors esteemed educator
Michelle Barton receives 2015 Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in Education.
Michelle Barton, Ph.D., professor, Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, is the 2015 recipient of the Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in Education. The $15,000 prize recognizes excellence and dedication among MD Anderson employees.
Regina Rogers, a senior member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors, established the award almost 30 years ago in honor of her parents, the late Julie and Ben Rogers of Beaumont, Texas. Rogers' mother and brother, Arvey Rogers, M.D., were treated at MD Anderson. "Education is a crucial component of MD Anderson's mission," says Rogers. "It's an honor and a privilege to recognize the amazing educators who contribute so much to this wonderful institution and who provide a foundation of knowledge for the next generation of clinicians and researchers."
Barton has worked at MD Anderson since 2000, first as an associate professor, then as a professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She also is co-director of the Center for Stem Cell and Developmental Biology and dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences along with Michael Blackburn, Ph.D., of UTHealth.
"The simple focus I try to maintain in all aspects of education is to put the students first," says Barton. "I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have numerous opportunities to contribute to education, to work with an amazing team, great students and inspired colleagues, and to have leaders who believe in MD Anderson's mission of education."
2015 Finalists
- Kathleen Denton, Ph.D., associate director, Nursing Programs
- Kelly Brassil, Ph.D., director, Nursing Programs
- Mahsa Dehghanpour, Ed.D., program director, School of Health Professions
- Crystal Franzese, program coordinator, Hematology