Lingjun Li, professor, in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Division has been appointed a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor. The newly-created professorship recognizes professors whose distinguished scholarship has advanced the confines of knowledge, and whose excellence has also included teaching or service.

Li’s research program is focused on the development of new mass spectrometry (MS)-based tools to study challenging neuroscience problems, reveal the functions of neuropeptides, and discover biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases. The Li group studies crustacean model organisms to significantly expand current knowledge about neuropeptides in the nervous system. Among other accomplishments, Linjun was awarded the 2014 Biemann Medal from the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS). The award is in recognition of Li’s outstanding contributions in the field of mass spectrometric study of neuropeptides and functional peptidomics.

The Vilas appointment is among the University’s most prestigious professorships for scholarly achievement and the advancement of learning. It is a collaborative tool to reward and retain top faculty. The professorship is a collaborative tool to reward and retain top faculty and provides a $75,000 allocation for the recipient. The professor carries the title of Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor for the duration of her or his career at UW-Madison.