Four faculty honored for their contributions to graduate teaching, mentoring
Across disciplines at Case Western Reserve University, graduate students benefit from faculty who do more than teach—they mentor, challenge, and champion students’ success. Whether through patient guidance, thought-provoking lectures, or one-on-one encouragement, these faculty members are shaping the next generation of scholars and professionals.
Each year, the John S. Diekhoff Awards for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentoring recognize those who go above and beyond in these roles. Established in 1978, the awards honor their namesake—a beloved professor and administrator who believed deeply in the value of graduate education.
Selected by a committee of graduate students, this year’s honorees are four faculty members whose dedication to students stands out across the university: two for outstanding mentorship, and two for graduate-level teaching.
John S. Diekhoff Awards for Excellence in Graduate Teaching
Lisa Damato
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
When considering Lisa Damato’s career, it’s no question she’s been a trailblazer in nursing science. After attending a 2014 conference alongside collaborator Associate Professor Michael Decker, they garnered attention from the U.S. Air Force for groundbreaking work on sleep and fatigue—a topic applicable to military pilots. The encounter served as a catalyst for creating innovative aerospace educational programs.
Together, Decker and Damato co-developed the School of Medicine’s Graduate Certificate in Aerospace Physiology program in 2023. Domato now leads the newly launched Master of Science in Aerospace Physiology program to provide students with unique career opportunities to help meet the great need for trained personnel. The real-world immersive learning experiences Damato offers her students are “legendary,” involving access to key institutions such as NASA Glenn Research Center and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Now, the associate professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics will receive the 2025 John S. Diekhoff Award for Graduate Teaching.
As one of her graduate student nominators shared, “Dr. Damato is an inspiring and dedicated professor whose unparalleled expertise in medicine and aerospace physiology not only enriches her teaching but also transforms the learning experience. As a mentor, she takes the time to understand each student’s individual aspirations, providing tailored support while cultivating the confidence and independence needed to excel.”
Damato’s passion for education was shaped by her parents’ lack of opportunities to learn after fleeing Europe in the aftermath of World War II—they survived the war, but were never able to complete nor continue formal education.
Inspired by her parents’ drive and determination, Damato pursued a career in nursing and earned bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees in the field. This path solidified her unwavering commitment to teaching and mentoring, blending theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world applications starting with her work at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing and progressing into her more recent aerospace focus at the School of Medicine—and at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where she and Decker are serving a six-year temporary appointment as Senior Research Physiologists at the Naval Medical Research Unit through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act.
“I am deeply honored to be chosen for this award,” said Damato. “The feedback I receive from students has the most influence on my approach to teaching, always striving to provide a high-quality educational experience.”