Most researchers are pleased to get just one.
Her accomplishment is unparalleled. Investigators don't apply for the awards. Instead, NIH division staff nominate stand-out R01 grant applicants for the special honor. Last year, only 50 researchers were chosen from the thousands applying for R01 grants, according to data from the NIH Web site. Shih, who joined the USC faculty in 1974, has a long list of scientific accomplishments.