Shusta receives UW-Madison Kellett Mid-Career Award

Eric Shusta, the Howard Curler Distinguished Professor in chemical and biological engineering, is one of 11 researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison selected for a 2025-2026 Kellett Mid-Career Award.

The awards support faculty promoted to tenured positions seven to 20 years ago and who have made key research contributions in their fields. Named for the late William R. Kellett, a former president of the WARF board of trustees and president of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the award provides support and encouragement to faculty at a critical stage of their careers and comes with $75,000 to be spent over five years.

Shusta pursues research focused on the development of molecular and cellular engineering tools that can help gain a better understanding of the brain vasculature in health and disease. He further leverages these tools to design new drug delivery systems for the treatment of brain disease.

“At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, our researchers push the boundaries of discovery with unwavering curiosity and impact—these awards are not just recognitions, but reflections of their tireless pursuit of knowledge that shapes our world,” says Dorota Brzezinska, vice chancellor for research. “This year’s awardees have demonstrated a commitment to the Wisconsin Idea and are inspiring future generations of researchers.”

The awards are possible due to the research efforts of UW–Madison faculty and staff. Technology that arises from these efforts is licensed by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the income from successful licenses is returned to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research where it’s used to fund research activities and awards throughout the divisions on campus.

Read more about Shusta and other awardees on the UW-Madison Research page.