Press Release · September 28, 2026
NAVREF Honors Leaders in VA Research at 2026 Annual Awards Dinner
Arlington, VA — The National Association of Veterans' Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF) honored outstanding contributions to Veterans' health and VA research at its 11th Annual Awards Dinner, part of the organization's 34th Annual Conference.
“Each year these awards remind us that the work behind Veterans' research is done by people whose names rarely appear on it. This year's honorees built partnerships, solved problems, and served their communities in ways that will outlast any one of us.”
Rashi Romanoff, NAVREF Chief Executive Officer
2026 NAVREF Award Recipients
Partnerships for Progress in Veterans' Health Award
Brittany Baber
Executive Director, Lowcountry Center for Veterans Research
R. Amanda C. LaRue, PhD
Associate Chief of Staff for Research, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Timothy Stemmler, PhD
Vice President for Research, Medical University of South Carolina
Presented with the AAMC, this award recognizes the three-way collaboration behind the Ralph H. Johnson VA's 2023 designation as the VA's national coordinating center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.
Innovation and Best Practices Award
The VA Los Angeles Food Hub
Jane Cheung
Executive Director, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Research and Education Foundation
Michael Ong, MD, PhD
Associate Chief of Staff for Research, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Genentech
Operating in the region with the nation's highest concentration of food-insecure Veterans, the Food Hub pairs dignified food access with integrated clinical care and now serves as a national model.
Board of Directors Distinguished Service Award
Thomas Konopka
Board Member, Buffalo Institute for Medical Research
A decorated combat Veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division, Konopka has served on Buffalo VA boards and committees since 2010, including the Institutional Review Board and Research and Development Committee.
Barbara West Award for Distinguished Service
Antonio J. Laracuente
Director of Field Operations (Retired), VA Office of Research and Development
Laracuente spent sixteen years as a nonprofit corporation executive director before leading VA ORD field operations from 2021 to 2025, and is a former Chair of the NAVREF Board of Directors.
Barbara West Award for Distinguished Service
Peggy Bradley
Executive Director, Biomedical Research & Education Foundation of Southern Arizona
Bradley received the award as she concludes her term as Chair of the NAVREF Board of Directors and retires from a career in VA-affiliated research administration.
By honoring the partnerships, innovation, and long service that make Veterans' research possible, NAVREF reaffirms its commitment to a research enterprise that delivers real impact for Veterans.
For Media Inquiries
Elizabeth Stout, Public Affairs Liaison
estout@navref.org
About NAVREF
The National Association of Veterans' Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF) is dedicated to advancing the success of the VA-affiliated research and education foundations. NAVREF's mission is building a stronger veteran research and innovation community through support and collaboration. Our organization represents a network of over 75 VA-affiliated research foundations legislated by Congress to maximize VA research efforts.
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