Three Pediatrics Faculty Members Join Ranks of CU Distinguished Professors

As featured in a November 7, 2024 Spotlight in CU Connections, three CU Department of Pediatrics faculty members have been named Distinguished Professors, CU’s highest honor for faculty across the system’s four campuses.

CU Distinguished Professors are tenured faculty members who demonstrate exemplary performance in research or creative work; a record of excellence in promoting learning and student attainment of knowledge and skills; and outstanding service to the profession, the university and its affiliates.

This year’s honorees will be formally celebrated during a board meeting in spring 2025.

Including this year’s honorees, 153 Distinguished Professors have been named since the title’s establishment in 1977.

Our most recent Distinguished Professors are:

Nancy F. Krebs, MD '87, MS, Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Vice Chair, Academic Affairs, Department of Pediatrics, CU School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Krebs is a globally recognized leader in pediatric nutrition whose visionary research and leadership have established the University of Colorado as a premier authority in this field. Her work has driven significant advancements in understanding pediatric nutrition, particularly in fetal and infant growth, zinc homeostasis and physiologic requirements. Spanning from laboratory-based studies to multi-country randomized controlled trials, reflected in nearly 400 publications, Krebs’ research has influenced clinical practice and public health policies worldwide. 

As a dedicated mentor, Krebs has nurtured the careers of many researchers who have become leaders in the field of nutrition. Her commitment to fostering talent is exemplified by her role of directing for more than two decades the NIH/NIDDK T32 Interdepartmental Training Program in Nutrition and her recognition with a prestigious NIH K24 award for mentoring in patient-oriented research. To promote the integration of nutrition into clinical medicine, she spearheaded its incorporation into the core curriculum of the School of Medicine. 

Beyond her research and teaching, she has made substantial contributions to the academic community through her leadership roles in the university. As Head of the Section of Nutrition (1998–2023), she expanded its scope and impact as an academic unit that is unique in Departments of Pediatrics in the U.S. Other key university positions include Chair/Co-Chair of the Department of Pediatrics’ Promotion and Tenure Committee and Associate Vice Chair for Academic Affairs.

Krebs’ exceptional contributions to research, mentorship and leadership have not only elevated CU’s national and international reputation but have also had a lasting impact on the field of pediatric nutrition. Her career is a testament to innovation, leadership and a deep commitment to improving the health of children around the world.

Donald Y.M. Leung, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics, CU School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Edelstein Family Chair of Pediatric Allergy-Immunology, National Jewish Health

Leung is a globally recognized pioneer in pediatrics whose groundbreaking research in atopic dermatitis and allergy has reshaped the understanding and treatment of these conditions. His seminal discovery that Staphylococcus aureus and its superantigens drive inflammation in atopic dermatitis has been a transformative contribution, influencing clinical practice and scientific approaches to managing the disease. Leung’s work has also expanded knowledge of critical immune mechanisms, including the role of Th2 cytokines in skin barrier dysfunction, and has provided new insights into food allergies and asthma. He was the recipient of the prestigious SPR E. Meade Johnson Award and the AAAAI Distinguished Scientist award. He is also one of the most highly cited authors in dermatology literature. 

Leung’s leadership extends beyond his research, as he has guided numerous NIH-funded programs, including the prestigious Atopic Dermatitis Research Network. He has been the recipient of an NHLBI MERIT award and currently serves on the NIAMS Skin Diseases Study section. His work has not only impacted clinical treatments but has also been instrumental in fostering the next generation of medical scholars and researchers.

A renowned educator and mentor, Leung has played a pivotal role in training clinicians and researchers who are now leaders in their fields. His dedication to education and mentorship has left a lasting legacy in academic and clinical settings, helping to bridge the gap between research and patient care. Leung’s visionary contributions to pediatric immunology and his commitment to mentoring make him an outstanding leader in the academic and medical communities.

Kurt R. Stenmark, MD '77, Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, Director of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research and Developmental Lung Biology Laboratories, La Cache Critical Care Chair in Pediatrics, CU School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Stenmark is an internationally acclaimed expert in pulmonary vascular disease whose pioneering research has revolutionized the understanding and treatment of this complex condition. His innovative work, which has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health for over three decades, has led to groundbreaking strategies for managing pulmonary hypertension and uncovered novel insights into the disease’s mechanisms. These advancements have significantly improved patient outcomes and made a lasting contribution to the field. His remarkable career achievements have also helped shape the reputation of CU Anschutz as a leader in cardiovascular pulmonary disease research, positioning him at the forefront of clinical practice and scientific inquiry.

As the long-standing Program Director of the NIH/NHLBI Translational Pulmonary Vascular Biology T32 Program, Stenmark has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous scientists and clinicians. Under his mentorship, many of his protégés have risen to prominent leadership positions within academia and research, exemplifying his unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in the field. His influence extends globally, having recently served as President of the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute, where he continues to spearhead advancements in basic and clinical research.

In addition to his research, Stenmark has made profound contributions to the CU School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, strengthening their reputations as leaders in pediatric critical care. In the mid-1980s, he established one of the nation’s first board-certified programs in pediatric critical care, which he led as Division Head until just recently. Under his leadership, the program grew to become one of the largest and most highly regarded in the country, providing life-saving care to thousands of critically ill children across the Rocky Mountain region.

Stenmark’s dedication to mentorship, his leadership within professional societies, and his relentless pursuit of advancements in medical science and education have left an enduring legacy in the field.