A row of trophies

CSUN Biology celebrates award-winning students

The CSUN Biology Department is pleased to announce the winners of student awards and scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year, who will be recognized in a departmental awards ceremony today at noon in Chaparral Hall 5122.

Graduate students

From the University and the College of Science and Mathematics

  • Graduate Fellowships for Outstanding Research Promise in Science and Mathematics: Rachel Gutner, Avetis Mishegyan, Hannah Merges, and Jack Dirk

From the Department of Biology

  • Donald E. Bianchi Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Michelle Alcantara
  • Donald E. Bianchi Outstanding Graduate Research Award: Amanda Di Maso
  • Donald E. Bianchi Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award: Hannah Merges
  • Hugo and Irma Oppenheimer Biology Department Award: Amanda Di Maso, Rachel Gutner and Hannah Merges
  • Bob and Doris Tracy Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship Award: Rachel Gutner
  • Scholarship in Ecology, Behavior, and Natural History Honoring Jim Dole and Betty Rose: Shane Jordan
  • Newhall Land and Farming Southern California Ecology Scholarship: Rainey Barton
  • Richard Duenckel – Toluca Lake Garden Club Horticultural Scholarship: Lexi Alter
  • Julie Gorchynski, MD, Research Graduate Student Scholarship: Sandra Illescas
  • Outstanding Student-Faculty Research Collaboration Award: Ithan Cano and Mariano Loza-Coll

Undergraduate students

From the University and the College of Science and Mathematics

  • Matching CSM Edison STEM scholarships: Diego Gomez, Jonathan Huang, Christy Rodriguez, Sandra Illescas, and Melita Mehzabin
  • Robert Nolan Scholarship: Ryan Victory
  • Robert R. Sprague Foundation Scholarship: Natalie Castillo
  • Wujack Harrison Pre-Med Scholarship: Pionik Shahgholian
  • Georgia L. Bianchi Heald Outstanding Graduating Senior Award: Carmen Hernandez-Perez
  • CSM nominee and winner of the 2023 Wolfson Scholar Award: Natalie Castillo

From the Department of Biology

  • Alumni Prize for Undergraduate Research in Biology –
    • Cellular, molecular, physiological or developmental biology: Kit Fong Cheung
    • Ecology, evolution, ethology, or systematics: Natalie Castillo
  • Judge Julian Beck Outstanding Graduating Senior Biology Department Award
    • Cell and Molecular Biology: Audrey Todd
    • Ecology and Evolution: Natalie Castillo
  • Bennett-Bickford Biology Scholarship: Diana Ibrahim
  • Ian and Kathy Leslie Scholarship in Biology: Melissa Mailhot, Afifeh Tarighat, and Jigar Patel
  • Prakriti Suri Memorial Award: Afifeh Tarighat
  • Lieberman Family Foundation Biology Scholarship for Outstanding Undergraduates: Erick Gonzalez
  • Dr. Celina Barba-Simic Biology Scholarship in Honor of Dr. Steven Oppenheimer: Pablo Segundo
  • Bob and Doris Tracy Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship Award: Natalie Castillo

Image via Flickr: Brad K.