Timothy Jones, PhD

Dr. Jones brings unique knowledge and skills to audiology and hearing science. He is a professor in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. With his background in the sciences, a PhD in physiology, he brings a valuable component to the training of scientists in giving them the knowledge and skills needed to meet the challenges of interdisciplinary research. His extensive knowledge of the auditory and vestibular systems underlies his excellence in mentoring and teaching.

Dr. Jones has devoted his career of more than 30 years to laboratory research, teaching, and mentoring. His research interests are broad and related to the evolution of the sensory systems and, in particular, the role that gravity may have played in shaping gravity receptor systems across species. His research has focused on the normal development of the inner ear and the underlying mechanisms for development and recovery of balance function. With primary focus on the vestibular system, Dr. Jones has pioneered research in vestibular sensory evoked potentials and is considered a definitive expert in this area. His history of research funding is exemplary with continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His work has resulted in a productive record of 70 peer-reviewed articles in scholarly journals, 105 published abstracts, and a recent seminal text on Genetics, Embryology and Development of Auditory and Vestibular Systems.

As noted by his nominees, Dr. Jones entered science to advance scientific knowledge. Through his quiet, thoughtful approach, he has moved knowledge forward in several areas and has mentored students who now have established their own successful scientific careers. Dr. Jones is a productive scientist whose work crosses many disciplines with creative thinking and up-to-date techniques applied to both basic questions and clinical problems. Of particular importance to audiology, he has taught many audiology students, mentored many budding audiology researchers, and bridged the areas of basic and clinically applicable research. He works “in the background,” providing informative research and mentoring to young auditory scientists and audiologists without asking for any personal recognition. It is rare to find a basic scientist who has had as much close affiliation, mentoring, and teaching experience within audiology training programs as Dr. Jones. Over many years, he has consistently taught courses and mentored master’s and doctoral students in audiology training programs.

To quote one of his nominators, “Dr. Jones is one of the most productive, thoughtful and rigorous scientists I know. He is clearly deserving of the national recognition that this award would bestow.” Dr. Jones richly deserves this recognition of his accomplishments and his devotion to audiology in sharing his knowledge and expertise.