BCMB Undergraduate Academic and Research Excellence Awards Updated February 2025 The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is pleased to support two BCMB Faculty Awards for academic and research excellence, to be presented to outstanding BCMB undergraduate student majors each year at the spring Graduation Ceremony. 1. The Sisodia-Patel Prize for Research Excellence in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology This award recognizes a graduating senior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology who intends to obtain a PhD and pursue a career in research and will attend graduate school in the coming year. The recipient is selected based on their research accomplishments and the number, scope, and impact of their research presentations and publications. Nominations should be submitted as a single PDF file containing: --A 1-page letter of nomination from the faculty research advisor OR from the nominee (self-nomination) describing the number, scope, and impact of the nominee’s research contributions (presentations, publications) and confirming intentions to pursue a PhD and research career. --Nominee’s resume or CV highlighting their research contributions. Nominations are due Friday, April 18, 2025, and should be submitted to the Department Head at: bcmb-head@uga.edu The Undergraduate Affairs Committee reviews nominations and makes a recommendation to the Department Head, who makes the final selection. Awardees are honored during the BCMB graduation ceremony and receive a certificate and a $1,000 cash award. This prize is funded through the generosity of Dr. Sangram S. Sisodia, who earned his PhD degree in the department, and honors his mentor, Professor Gordan Patel. Dr. Sisodia is currently the Thomas A. Reynolds Sr. Family Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Chicago. Past Awardees: 2018 Award Recipient: John Christopher Sugar (mentor: Dr. Mike Adams) 2019 Award Recipient: Nikita Vantsev (mentor: Dr. Mike Terns) 2020 Award Recipient: Tiffany N. Hicks Sirmans (mentor: Dr. Zac Wood) 2021 Award Recipient: Landon M. Clark (mentor: Dr. Michael Terns) 2022 Award Recipients: Elisabeth A. Lampros (mentor: Dr. Adam Barb), Alexandria M. Jefferson (mentor: Dr. David Forgacs) 2023 Award Recipient: Philip A. Schroeder (mentor: Dr. Lance Wells) 2024 Award Recipient: Grace Watterson (mentor: Dr. Natarajan Kannan) 2. The BCMB Faculty Award for Academic Excellence This award recognizes a graduating senior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for outstanding academic accomplishments. The recipient is selected based on: --Academic achievement reflected in GPA --Academic breadth reflected in majors and minors --Other academic achievements, such as academic awards and research publications or presentations Awardees are selected on Reading Day (Tuesday, April 29, 2025). They will be honored during the BCMB graduation ceremony and receive a certificate and a $300 cash award. There is no formal nomination process, but candidates must have their graduation slide submitted by the last day of classes for full consideration. Academic information is reviewed by the Undergraduate Affairs Committee, which makes a recommendation to the Department Head, who makes the final selection. This award is supported through the generosity of BCMB faculty, including Professors Emeritus Dan DerVartanian, Claiborne Glover, and Alan Przybyla, as well as current professors in the department. Past Awardees: 2018 Award Recipient: Hailey Elizabeth Clark (mentor: Dr. Paula Lemons) 2019 Award Recipient: Trisha Dalapati (mentor: Dr. Julie Moore) 2020 Award Recipient: Rajashri Manjunath (mentor: Dr. Bob Haltiwanger) 2021 Award Recipient: Emma Grace Tucker (mentor: Dr. Bob Haltiwanger) 2022 Award Recipients: Oleksandra (Sasha) Stogniy (mentors: Dr. Paula Lemons, Dr. Fikri Avci), Ishan K. Vaish (mentor: Dr. Ying Xu) 2023 Award Recipient: Elizabeth Lane (mentor: Dr. Neil Grimsey) 2024 Award Recipient: Matthew Li (mentor: Dr. Michael Terns) Christopher Henry Vaught Scholarship in Science Policy This scholarship is available to support highly motivated undergraduate students in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, or other life sciences, to engage in Science Policy research as a part of the Fall and Spring UGA Washington Semester Program. Applicants are evaluated based on review of a 500-word, typed personal statement indicating why you wish to participate in the program in the area of science policy, resumé, academic transcripts, and an interview. Typically, one award is made annually. This program is made possible by the generosity of Drs. Jim Vaught and Irene Glowinski, who reside in the Washington D.C. area. For more information, please contact: Dr. Amy Medlockmedlock@uga.edu or Dr. Chris Westwestcm@uga.edu Application deadline: After acceptance from Washington Program 2018 Award Recipient: Ashleigh Proctor 2020 Award Recipient: Sarah Yount 2021 Award Recipients: Sarah Yount and Payton Johnson
