Cycyota received the Jeanne C. Mowe Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution in tissue banking or transplantation, whether in research, education, or laboratory improvement, or who has served the Association or the field of tissue banking.

Biology alumnus (’80), Thomas Cycyota is the President and CEO of AlloSource, one of the nation's largest providers of cartilage, bone, skin, soft-tissue and cellular allografts for use in surgical procedures and wound care to advance patient healing.

Under his leadership, the organization has grown into a leading provider of allografts for use in spine, sports medicine, foot and ankle, orthopedic, reconstructive, trauma and wound care applications. AlloSource continues to identify new opportunities to create innovative products that advance patient healing.

In 2015 Cycyota was awarded the LAS Alumni Humanitarian Award. He considers the donation of tissue to be a “sacred gift.” “Everybody understands organ donation because a heart of kidney saves somebody’s life,” he said. “But with tissue donation, a donor who has passed away can affect hundreds of people.”

For more about Thomas Cycyota, read this interview conducted in 2015.