Dr. Daniel Becker, Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma, is recognized by the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) for pioneering research on how environmental change affects infectious disease dynamics in wildlife. His work advances understanding of zoonotic spillover and public health risk and exemplifies the promise of early-career scientific leadership across disciplines.
WASHINGTON – The Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Daniel Becker of the University of Oklahoma (OU) will receive the 2025 SURA Early Career Scientist Award at the SURA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. this October. The award honors exceptional faculty within ten years of earning their Ph.D. who demonstrate outstanding research accomplishments and leadership potential.
Dr. Becker, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at OU, leads research at the intersection of ecology, behavior, and infectious disease. His work focuses on how environmental change—including land use, urbanization, and climate variability—alters host–pathogen dynamics in wildlife populations. A particular emphasis of his research is understanding how animal behavior and movement influence the spillover of zoonotic diseases to humans.
“Dr. Becker’s integrative approach to studying infectious diseases in wildlife has made significant contributions to global health science,” said Dr. Sean J. Hearne, President and CEO of SURA. “His innovative work and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration reflect the next generation of scientific leadership.”
Dr. Becker has published more than 125 peer-reviewed articles and has been cited over 5,000 times. His work has been supported by leading U.S. and international science agencies, including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. He is also widely recognized for his mentoring and cross-disciplinary student training, with global partnerships and field sites throughout Latin America.
“The University of Oklahoma congratulates Dr. Becker for receiving this prestigious recognition,” said Dr. Matt Hulver, OU Vice President for Research and Partnerships. “His work exemplifies OU’s commitment to research that advances public health and conservation. Dr. Becker is a truly deserving recipient, and we look forward to his continued impact as a scientific leader.”
The Early Career Scientist Award is open to faculty at SURA member institutions who hold the rank of Assistant or early-stage Associate Professor and have demonstrated the potential to shape the future of their disciplines.
SURA is a nonprofit consortium of 57 leading research institutions across the southeastern United States. It fosters collaboration among its members to advance cross-disciplinary science and manages the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
Contact:
Marita Guliashvili
SURA Events and Office Coordinator
mguliashvili@sura.org
