Research Service Award

Michael K. May, PhD

National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD

The AGA Research Service Award is presented to Michael K. May, PhD. This award, which was established in 2006, recognizes an individual who has significantly advanced gastroenterological science and research.

Dr. May is the director of the GI Transport & Absorption, the Nutrient Metabolism and the GI Neuroendocrinology programs at the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Recognizing the importance of the team approach to GI science, Dr. May has worked for more than two decades as the interface between the academic investigator and the NIH peer review system within NIDDK grants administration. The interactions between the GI scientist and NIH administration define the future of gastroenterology. Advances in scientific research are critical to the science of gastroenterology and Dr. May has critical in helping GI investigators navigate the grants review process.

Dr. May has worked tirelessly to make certain that each investigator who submits a grant application for NIH funding understands the outcomes of the process. He has assisted hundreds of investigators interpret their applications, including which sections needed more supporting data, whether the application was seen as strong and whether the research was likely to be funded. Through his support and assistance, Dr. May encourages investigators to continue their research and to continue applying through the grants process. He believes an important part of his job is to help young investigators succeed.

Dr. May has published a number of peer reviewed studies on the synaptogenesis of the spinal cord and the origin of dopamine receptors, and has been funded by the NIH for research in the development of the spinal cord.

Dr. May received his bachelor of science in zoology from Southeastern Louisiana University and his PhD in cell biology from Tulane University, Louisiana. He performed his post-doctoral fellowship in the department of physiology at the University of Bristol, England. Dr. May was an assistant professor in the department of anatomy at the University of Iowa College of Medicine and Howard University College of Medicine.