Research Scientist Achievement Award
Margaret I. Lomax

The group of molecular biologists and geneticists studying hearing and deafness at U-M is among the most distinguished in the world. Much of the credit for such an esteemed assemblage goes to Margaret I. Lomax. Since beginning her University career nearly 35 years ago, she has become not only a leading contributor to hearing research, but an unparalleled mentor and colleague who gives generously of her time and knowledge.

Lomax, senior research scientist in the departments of Otolaryngology and Cell and Developmental Biology, also directs the Molecular Biology Laboratory within the Kresge Hearing Research Institute. She brings her expertise in molecular biology and genetics to hearing research, a field in which this knowledge had been lacking until recent years.

A major focus of her research has been hearing loss due to noise exposure. Additionally, Lomax, was among the first to use techniques such as DNA microarray analysis to identify genes that figure prominently in hearing and deafness. In the post-genome era, the work of molecular biologists will become ever more crucial in elucidating the role of these genes. Lomax’s studies have opened the door to future discoveries that could lead to treatments to restore function to damaged auditory nerves.

Those who work with Lomax often refer to the experience as one of the most pivotal in their careers. From the undergraduate who won a prestigious research prize and went on to a Ph.D. program to the postdoctoral fellow who untangled a scientific question in her lab to the young female scientist in search of a role model for balancing meaningful work with family obligations, Lomax enables those around her to succeed. She is in high demand as a collaborator, thesis committee member and editor.

Lomax serves with distinction on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and on the Deafness Research Foundation’s Scientific Review Committee.