Two faculty members receive Distinguished Achievement Awards for college-level teaching

Paul Brandt, PhD, associate professor, and David Earnest, PhD, professor, both in the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics at the Texas A&M University College of Medicine, have been chosen to receive Distinguished Achievement Awards in the category of college-level teaching by The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University.

Since 1982, the Association of Former Students has presented these prestigious awards every fall to outstanding faculty members for their dedication to teaching. The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes, encourages and rewards superior classroom teachers who exemplify the meaning of teacher/mentor in its highest sense.

In addition to serving as an associate professor, Brandt will serve as interim associate dean for admissions at the College of Medicine starting in January. He is currently the chair of the Admissions Committee. Brandt specializes in pharmacology, biochemistry and endocrinology education and has served on the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Pharmacology and Biochemistry Test Materials Development Committee since 2014 and has been its chair since 2020. He also has served on the NBME Institutional Review Committee 2B since 2018 and numerous other ad hoc review and development committees.

“What an honor to receive this award from the Association of Former Students,” Brandt said. “I love working at the College of Medicine and with our students. To be recognized for something that is such a pleasure to do every day is greatly appreciated.”

Earnest’s research interests focus on neuroscience and biological clocks that regulate circadian rhythms in sleep and other body processes. His research uses multidisciplinary approaches to study how pathologies and environmental disturbances in the regulation of circadian rhythms are linked to a variety of human health disorders such as obesity, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. He also serves as an executive member of the Texas A&M Center for Biological Clocks Research at Texas A&M and participates in graduate training as a member of the faculty in the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience.

“I am honored to be recognized for this award among my fellow colleagues,” Earnest said. “I feel so grateful to work at this vibrant and outstanding institution that cares and recognizes its faculty, staff and students.”

Each recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award will receive a cash prize. Brandt and Earnest join a handful of other faculty members from various colleges across Texas A&M, such as Mays Business School, the College of Nursing and the School of Public Health, who were chosen for this award.