爆料社区

Student Excellence Award

Congratulations to the 2025 Award Recipients!

Students Recognized for Achievements in Research

The鈥疌ommittee for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) is dedicated to supporting student research, scholarship, and creative activity (RSCA) at 爆料社区. The CUGR Student Excellence Award will honor undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate students who demonstrate excellence in faculty-mentored research, scholarship, and creative activities at 爆料社区. This will be evaluated through a short essay and presentation of a poster, artwork, or demonstration at the annual 爆料社区 Student Poster Showcase. Up to two students (or student groups) will receive a certificate and cash award. For group applications, only one form submission is required.

• Application Process
  • Student will apply to present at the Student Poster Showcase.  Held on December 4, 2025. 
  • Application information can be found here: Closed
  • Student groups: Choose one person to submit the application on behalf of the group. 
  • Student, or student groups, will prepare a personal statement and upload in the application no later than 11:59 pm Monday, November 3, 2025. In the statement (500-word limit), explain how you have shown excellence through your participation in research, scholarship, and/or creative activities. Evidence of excellence may be demonstrated through explanation of one or more of the following:
    • Positive impact on the community (please define community in statement, whether 爆料社区, local, or scientific, etc.)
    • Resilience and perseverance to complete the project 
    • Growth in the discipline or area of study
    • Creativity to conceive of and execute the project
    • Collaboration to work effectively in a team
    • Examples of publications, presentations at conferences, or other dissemination and how the work demonstrates excellence in the field 
• Selection Criteria
  • Faculty mentors will be sent a survey to confirm that they worked with the student and provide feedback. 
  • CUGR judges will evaluate essays based on a 5-point scale. There will be at least two judges for each applicant.
  • Judges select the top five applicants, based on evaluation of essays and holistic consideration of the faculty survey responses.  
  • The top five applicants (finalists) will be notified at least one week before the event that their presentations will be evaluated immediately before or during (12:00-12:50pm) the Student Poster Showcase. 
  • CUGR judges will evaluate five finalists鈥� presentations at the Student Poster Showcase according to the rubric.
• Selection Process
  • Five submissions (finalists) are selected by CUGR judges based on their essays, with consideration of faculty mentor survey information.
  • CUGR judges evaluate poster presentations based on a rubric. Each presentation will be evaluated by at least two judges.
  • Awards will be given to the top two students (or student groups) with the highest score totals.
  • Award winners will be notified after the event. CUGR chair will seek to advertise the awardees with a 爆料社区 News article.
• FAQ
  • Q: Can Groups apply?
  • A: Yes. The group will submit one application, which includes one personal statement (500-word limit). The group will split the $500 award if they win.
  • Q: Is there a GPA requirement to receive this award? 
  • A: No, any 爆料社区 undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student may apply. 
  • Q: Does the research (RSCA) need to have been conducted at 爆料社区?
  • A: No, if you are a 爆料社区 student and you were mentored by a faculty member or professional in the discipline, you are eligible to apply. 

     

Student Excellence Awardees

• 2025-2026 Awardee: Quetzalli Johnson Faculty Advisor: Dr. James Kezos

  

  Quetzalli Johnson, 鈥淭he Physiological Responses to Chronic High-Sugar Diets in Drosophila melanogaster鈥�

  The committee notes Quetzalli鈥檚 excellence in data analysis as well as clear communication of research objectives.

• 2025-2026 Awardee: Marisa Mendoza Faculty Advisor: Dr. Elinne Becket

  

  Marisa Mendoza, 鈥淭axonomic Profiles of Nearshore Microbial Communities associated with Plastic and Natural Marine Substrates鈥�

  The committee notes Marisa鈥檚 accomplishments and communication skills as a scientist: from experimental planning to sampling and developing analytical pipelines for data analysis.

• 2024-2025 Awardee: Callie Steppat Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dennis Kolosov
  

  Callie Steppat, 鈥淰oltage-gated Potassium Channels Regulate Cell-Specific Ion and Fluid Transport in Malpighian Tubule Epithelium of an Important Agricultural Crop Pest, larval Trichoplusia ni鈥�

  The committee notes Callie鈥檚 reflection on embracing unpredictability and problem-solving in the personal statement as well as clear communication of the overall research purpose.

• 2024-2025 Awardee: Isabel Serrano Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kang Du

  

  Isabel Serrano, 鈥淒eveloping Rigid Mixed-Valent Fe2 Complexes That Facilitate Double-Exchange Magnetic Coupling鈥�

  The committee notes Isabel鈥檚 demonstration of creativity and collaboration in the personal statement as well as clear communication of research applications.