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Biology Department Awards Day 2008 | Student Awards | Faculty Awards


Student Awards

Biology Colloquium Award
Committee Chair: Dr. Caitlin Gabor, Dr. Chris Nice

Presented to the authors of the best undergraduate and graduate papers delivered at the annual Biology Department Colloquium.
  • 1997: Shelia C. Kadura

  • 1998: Jennifer Adams (G)
    JoAnne Lund (G)
    Angela Gardine (U)

  • 2003: Amanda L. Kennedy (U)
    Casey S Williams (G)

  • 2004: Brooke Belota (U)
    Maria Thaker (G)

  • 2005: Shawn McCracken (U)
    Zach Gombert (G)

  • 2006: Celeste Espinedo (U)
    Lauren Lucas (G)

  • 2007: Pete Diaz (U)
    Jacquelyn Scherer (G)

  • 2008: Cameron Collier (U)
    Jesse Becker (G)

Colene Drace Cell Biology Award
Committee Chair: Dr. Joseph Koke

Awarded by the Biology Department to recognize exceptional research by a graduate student using the tools and techniques of cell biology.
  • 2002: Shannon Weigum (G)

  • 2003: Gina L. Lobban (G)

  • 2004: Prasad V. Phatarpekar (G)

  • 2005: Varsha Radhakrishnan (G)

  • 2006: Elizabeth Crittenden (G)

  • 2007: Katherine Saul (G)

  • 2008: Nirmala Karunarathna (G)

Eben-Ellege Award
Committee Chair: Dr. Dittmar Hahn

Awarded by The Biology Department to outstanding graduate students in thesis or dissertation programs who have demonstrated significant potential in research activities.
  • 2006: Zach Gompert (G)

  • 2007: Jake Jackson (G)

Ward Lee Eggleston Memorial Scholarship
Committee Chair: Dr. John Baccus

Awarded to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated both academic and reseach talent in the Wildlife Biology Program.
  • 1997: Sarah Jenkins (U)

  • 1998: Sarah Jenkins (U)

  • 1999: James Russell (U)

  • 2000: David Smith (U)

  • 2002: Adam Ferguson (U)

  • 2003: Adam W. Ferguson (U)

Sally Ann Karnau Scholarship
Committee Chair: Dr. Julie Westerlund

Awarded by the Biology Department to a junior or senior Biology major with demonstrated scholastic ability in memory of Sally Ann Karnau.
  • 2003: Shanan M. Mossman (U)

  • 2004: David A. Terrell (U)

  • 2006: Magdala Poon (U)

  • 2007: Julie Bahruth (U)

  • 2008: Sara Gillum (U)

George H. Meyer Award in Microbiology
Committee Chair: Dr. Gary Aron

Awarded by the Microbiology Program faculty in recognition of a research presentation at a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. Established by Bernice Neumann in memory of her brother, Professor George H. Meyer.
  • 1997: Eric A. Weaver
    Marvin Whiteley
    Terrie L. Simmons

  • 1998: Jennifer Adams (G)
    Duane Limbaugh

  • 1999: Jordan Hall (U)
    Sabitha Prabhakaran (G)
    Gregory Southard (G)

  • 2000: Laura Meier (U)
    Brian Corbin (G)

  • 2001: Whitney Jett (U)

  • 2002: Christa Bates (U)
    Brian Scott (G)

  • 2003: Brooke N. Belota (U)
    Christopher L. McGowin (U)

  • 2004: Allana Welsh (G)
    Toni Sanger (U)
    Melanie Leal (U)

  • 2005: Sandra Newland (U)

  • 2006: Brent Treadaway (G)

  • 2007: Veronica Huerta (U)

  • 2008: Lindsey Wiggins
    Andrew Berger

Chuck Nash Aquatic Studies Scholarship
Committee Chair: Dr. Walter Rast

Awarded by the Biology Department to provide financial support for full-time junior, senior or graduate students pursuing studies in Aquatic Biology.
  • 1999: Lori Tolley (G)

  • 2000: Matthew Scoggins (G)

  • 2001: Connie Johnson (G)

  • 2002: Brian L Holmes (G)

  • 2003: Brian L Holmes (G)

  • 2004: Bradley M. Littrell (G)

  • 2005: David Pendergrass (G)

  • 2006: Tina Gonzales (U)

  • 2007: Brad Caston (G)
    Jesse Becker (G)

  • 2008: Joshuah Perkin (G)

William E. (Henry) Norris, Jr. Scholarship
Committee Chair: Dr. Randy Simpson

Awarded by the Biology Department to recognize past and future contributions to the biological sciences by graduate students.
  • 1997: Marvin Whiteley
    Stuart Lin Poor
    Eric A. Weaver

  • 1998: Preston Galusky (G)
    Lana Ruiseco (G)
    Jennifer Adams

  • 1999: Sabitha Prabhakaran (G)
    Angela Wheeler (G)

  • 2000: Beth Banks (G)
    Richard Reynolds (G)
    Cris Hein

  • 2001: Darren Dodson (G)
    Kyle Burke (G)

  • 2002: Paul Juergens (G)
    Carrie Preite (G)
    Dolores Weisbaum (G)

  • 2003: Scott Egan (G)

  • 2004: Maria Thaker (G)

  • 2005: Adam Ferguson (G)

  • 2006: Michael Small (G)
    Melissa Jones (G)

  • 2007: Casey Williams (G)

  • 2008: Kristen Epp (G)

Outstanding Achievement in Wildlife Management Award
Committee Chair: Dr. John Baccus

Awarded to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated both academic and research talent in the Wildlife Biology Program.
  • 1997: Sarah Jenkins (U)

  • 1998: Scott Pettengill (U)

  • 1999: Jeff Breeden (U)

  • 2000: Keith Lake (U)

  • 2001: David Smith (U)

  • 2003: Adam W. Ferguson (U)

  • 2004: Megan M. Johnston (G)

Premedical/Predental Society Scholarship
Committee Chair: Dr. Dede Armentrout

Awarded to a student accepted into medical or dental school in recognition of outstanding service to the Premedical/Predental Society and the Biology Department.
  • 1997: Tracy Haas (U)

  • 1998: Jessica St. Louis (U)

  • 1999: Justin Dacy (U)
    Stefanie Seitz (U)

  • 2000: Jordan Hall (U)

  • 2001: Michelle Forehand (U)

  • 2003: Shanan M. Mossman (U)

  • 2004: James Z. Brice (U)

  • 2005: Greg Olson (U)
    Melissa Ponce (U)

  • 2006: Peter Mosnes (U)

  • 2007: Karina Gutierrez (U)

  • 2008: Jarryd Brennan

Fred & Yetta Richan Aquatic Biology Award
Committee Chair: Dr. Walter Rast

Awarded to outstanding graduate students and undergraduate students by the Aquatic Biology Program faculty in recognition of significant contributions to the program.
  • 1997: Robert T. Ourso
    David A. Bass

  • 1998: Chad Thomas (G)

  • 1999: Chad Thomas (G)
    Thorpe Halloran

  • 2000: Brian Creutzburg (G)
    Chad Thomas(G)

  • 2001: Wendy McCoy (U)
    Connie Johnson (G)
    Jason Locklin (G)

  • 2002: Brad Littrel (U)
    Joe Martin (G)
    Chad Norris (G)
    Kristine Dennis(G)

  • 2003: Brad Littrell (U)
    Valentin Cantu (G)
    Casey S. Williams (G)

  • 2004: Michelle Funk (G)
    Tracy R. Leavy (G)
    David Pendergrass (G)

  • 2005: Jacqueline Watson (G)

  • 2006: Casey Williams (G)
    Preston Bean (G)
    Tom Heard (G)
    Erin O'Docharty (G)
    Kristy Kollaus (U)

  • 2007: Alisa Abzeineh (G)
    Adrian Vogl (G)
    Casey Williams (G)
    Tom Heard (G)
    Megan Bean (G)

  • 2008: James Gaertner
    Preston Bean
    Kathleen Eggemeyer (G)
    Zachary Shattuck

A.B. Irene Rogers Aquatic Biology Award
Committee Chair: Dr. Walter Rast

Endowed by the Bering family and awarded by the Aquatic Biology Program faculty to a full-time aquatic biology undergraduate student in recognition of contributions to the program.
  • 1997: Debra K. Miller (U)

  • 1998: Bruce Kelley (U)

  • 1999: Stephanie McCormick (U)

  • 2000: Anne B. Sharp (U)

  • 2001: Marcus Bresko (U)

  • 2002: Karen Marks (U)

  • 2004: Casey R. Williams (U)

  • 2005: Tina Gonzales (U)

  • 2006: Joshua Perkin (U)

  • 2008: Robert Maxwell (U)

Francis Rose Scholarship
Committee Chair: Dr. Caitlin Gabor

These grants provide research opportunities for undergraduates in the biological sciences during the academic year. The emphasis of this program is to increase the number of undergraduate students doing research. The grant program was created in 2006 to honor Dr. Francis Rose, who was the departmental chair for 11 years.
  • 2007: Romey Swanson (U)
    Tamira Konkin-Garcia (U)

  • 2008: Michelle Parmley (U)
    Julia Coyle (U)
    Mary Dobson (U)

Howard D. Schulze Biology Scholarship
Committee Chair: Dr. Dana Garcia

Awarded by the Biology Department for academic achievement and scholarship. The award was established by Christopher B. Shulze, M.D., in honor of his father.
  • 1997: Marvin Whiteley
    Lana E. Ruiseco

  • 1998: Preston Galusky (G)
    Jennifer Adamas (G)

  • 1999: Sabitha Prabhakaran (G)

  • 2000: Richard Reynolds (G)
    Teresa Smith (U)
    Michael Clay (U)

  • 2001: Melony Buckler (U)
    Carrie Preite (G)

  • 2002: Matt Schneider (U)
    Scott Egan (G)

  • 2003: Vanessa Pearson (U)
    Prasad Phatarpekar (G)

  • 2004: Zach Gompert (U)
    Maria Thaker (G)

  • 2005: Casey Williams

  • 2006: Lauren Lucas (G)
    Megan Bean (U)

  • 2007: Laura Alberici (G)
    Elena Wisely (U)

  • 2008: Babur Mirza (G)
    Jesse Becker (G)
    Elena Wisely (U)

Science Education Award
Committee Chair: Dr. Sandra West

Awarded by the Science Education faculty in recognition of significant contributions to the program.
  • 1997: Martin R. Wise (G)

  • 1998: Emil Lazzeri (G)

  • 1999: Stephanie Blalderas (G)

  • 2000: Jimmy Hand (G)

  • 2001: Nancy Nelson (G)

  • 2002: Jimmy Hand (G)

  • 2003: Amanda L. Stephenson (G)

  • 2005: Brandy Bagnall (G)
    Katy Furtwangler (G)

  • 2006: Kiki Corry (G)

  • 2007: Kiki Corry (G)

  • 2008: Melissa Ponce (G)

Charles Spurgeon Smith Award
Committee Chair: Dr. David Lemke

Awarded by the Biology Department to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average.
  • 1997: Rhonda R. Walter (U)

  • 1998: Jeanne Renee Hall (U)

  • 1999: Amanda Holdiman (U)

  • 2000: Jordan Hall (U)
    Amanda Hilburn (U)

  • 2001: Teresa Smith (U)

  • 2002: Allana Welsh (U)

  • 2003: Erinn L. Frazee (U)

  • 2005: Asra Khan (U)

  • 2006: Magdala Poon (U)

  • 2007: Robert Landry (U)
    Celeste Whisenant (U)

  • 2008: Arturo Villarreal (U)

Russell & Ruth Strandtmann Field Biology Award
Committee Chair: Dr. David Lemke

Awarded by the Biology Department for the purpose of supporting undergraduate research projects in the areas of whole organism taxonomy, systematics, life history studies and ecology.
  • 1997: Myra Carmen Hall (U)

  • 1998: Scott Pettengill (U)

  • 2000: James Russel (U)

  • 2001: Lezlie Jones (U)
    Cassie Malcom (U)

  • 2002: Adam Ferguson (U)

  • 2003: Danielle M. King (U)

  • 2005: Shawn McCracken (U)
    Jennifer Williams (U)

  • 2007: Romey Swanson (U)
    Bobby Cast (U)

Outstanding Service to Biology Department Award
Committee Chair: Dr. Gary Upchurch

Special award set by Dr. Upchurch for 2007
  • 2007: Elena Wisely (U)
    Christopher Wisely (U)

Outstanding Undergraduate Award
Committee Chair: College of Science

Awarded to recognize a student majoring in a program within the College of Science who possesses outstanding personal and professional characteristics and who exhibits leadership and participation in Departmental, College or University activities.
  • 2003: Amanda M. Kennedy (U)

Outstanding Graduate Award
Committee Chair: College of Science

Awarded to recognize a student majoring in a program within the College of Science who exhibits outstanding personal and professional characteristics in the areas of scholarship, research, teaching and service.
  • 1999: Preston Galusky (G)

  • 2004: Scott Egan (G)

  • 2005: Allana Welsh (G)

  • 2006: Zach Gompert (G)

  • 2008: Allana Welsh (G)

Joan Austin Memorial Scholarship
Committee Chair: College of Science

Awarded to an undergraduate student with a major in the College of Science in memory of our former Science Professor, Joan Austin.
  • 2005: Lissette Gomez (U)

  • 2006: Megan Bean (U)

Smith-Williams Award
Committee Chair: College of Science

A one year competitive scholarship awarded to a junior-level Biology, Chemisty or Physics students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their field.
  • 2005: Emily Evans (U)

Houston-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
Committee Chair: College of Science

Structured as a community of scholars preparing for graduate school and professional careers, the H-LSAMP program is designed to substantially increase the diversity of students graduating with baccalaureate degrees in STEM fields - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
  • 2003: Alvin R. Curette
    Monica P. Rodriguez

  • 2004: Alvin R. Curette

  • 2005: Misato Aoshima
    Akiko Fujii
    Olivia Gamez
    Amy Gandy
    Lesette Gomez
    Asha James

  • 2007: Amy Cadenhead
    Ugo Eziefule
    Lissette Gomez
    Michelle Jackson
    Asha James
    Puja Malani
    James May
    Yohantis Moore
    Alex Patino
    CJ Schubert
    Veronica Huerta
    Peter Mosnes

  • 2008: Ugo Eziefule
    Michelle Jackson
    Puja Malani
    James May
    Yohantis Moore
    Veronica Huerta


Top

Faculty Awards

Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching

Senior Lecturer / Assistant

  • 1993-1994: Paula Williamson

  • 2006-2007: Randy Simpson

Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching
Associate / Professor

  • 1998-1999: David Lemke

  • 2000-2001: Bob McLean

Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activity
Senior Lecturer / Assistant

  • 2000-2001: Michael Forstner

  • 2005-2006: Caitlin Gabor

  • 2006-2007: Timothy Bonner

Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activity
Associate / Professor

  • 1988-1989: Joseph Koke

  • 2006-2007: Michael Forstner

Presidential Award for Excellence in Service
Associate / Professor

  • 2004-2005: Paula Williamson

Presidential Seminar Honoree

  • 1985-1986: John Baccus

  • 1989-1990: Joseph Koke

  • 1993-1994: R. Walters

  • 1998-1999: Gary Upchurch

  • 2001-2002: P. Barnes

  • 2004-2005: Robert McLean

Presidential Fellow

  • 2001-2002: Robert McLean

  • 2002-2003: Robert McLean

Distinguished Professor Emeritus

  • 1982-1983: W.E. Norris

  • 1997-1998: H.H. Hannan

  • 2000-2001: B. Whiteside

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