James Hentig, Biological Sciences
James Hentig, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Biological Sciences and winner of this year’s Notre Dame Graduate School Shaheen Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) has been selected as a 2020 Tillman Scholar. The Pat Tillman Foundation seeks to empower military service members, veterans and spouses to become the next generation of leaders committed to strengthening communities at home and around the world.. “I am honored to join the ranks of past Tillman Scholars,” Hentig says, “I came to Notre Dame because of the esprit de corps and its commitment to military service. My advisor, Dr. David Hyde, and the program director of the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs, Regan Jones, have been the foundation of my support. They truly exemplify the core values of Notre Dame.”
Hentig’s research examines traumatic brain injuries, focusing on the body’s natural regenerative recovery potential in hopes of finding therapies that may aid victims of brain injury many of whom are service members. His research is rooted in his personal experience in the United States Army as an airborne combat medic in Afghanistan. “A core tenet of the Graduate School at Notre Dame is that your research matters,” states Dean Laura Carlson, Vice President, Associate Provost, and Dean of the Graduate School. “James’ research is such a powerful example. It is groundbreaking and innovative, and has been recognized not only within Notre Dame as the winning entry in the Graduate School’s annual Shaheen 3MT® competition, but also beyond, both by the National Science Foundation and now by this prestigious selection of James as a Tillman Scholar. We are honored to have scholars and researchers who have served our country in the Graduate School, and this award signifies the contributions that our military-connected students make to the academic community at Notre Dame and the world at large.”