This spring, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) recognized University of Kentucky College of Medicine researcher Robert “Nate” Helsley, PhD, with the 2025 Walter Shaw Young Investigator Award in Lipid Research. This distinction highlights his exceptional contributions to the field and his promise as a leader in advancing scientific discovery.
The award, named after Walter A. Shaw, PhD, celebrates early-career scientists who are pushing the boundaries of lipid research.
Dr. Helsley, an assistant professor of internal medicine, was recognized for his groundbreaking work in lipid metabolism and cardiometabolic health. He was a featured speaker at the 2025 ASBMB annual meeting, where leading researchers from across the globe gathered to discuss the future of biochemistry and molecular biology.
“I was incredibly humbled to have received this award,” said Dr. Helsley. “As a junior faculty member, it is nice to see your hard work recognized and supported by senior scientists in the field.”
For Dr. Helsley, the award is both a personal milestone and a reflection of the collaborative environment at the University of Kentucky.
“The College of Medicine has always supported my career development,” said Dr. Helsley. “The collegiality of faculty and senior administration here is above and beyond what I have experienced elsewhere.” He said that spirit contributed, at least in part, to his decision to return to UK after earning his PhD in nutritional sciences in 2016.
In 2019 he returned to the college as a postdoctoral scholar, and later joined the faculty. His lab focuses on understanding how lipids contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and liver cancer, aiming to uncover new therapeutic pathways that can prevent or treat some of the most pressing health challenges of our time.
Beyond his research, Dr. Helsley is deeply committed to mentoring students. As a first-generation college student and scientist, Dr. Helsley understands the immediate impact of a supportive environment and strong mentors for career development. “The opportunity to train and mentor the next generation of scientists is one of the most rewarding parts of my work,” he said.
His advice for the next generation of researchers: “Don’t put too much emphasis on the overall ‘impact’ of your work, but instead focus on conducting high-quality research. The rest will take care of itself.”