KU Biology 2025/2026 Scholarships and Awards

Thirty-Six students received Undergraduate Biology Scholarships & Awards in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Graduating seniors who won awards will be honored at the Biology Undergraduate Recognition Ceremony on May 16^th at 2:30 PM in Allen Fieldhouse.

The Biology Scholarships and Awards given each Spring, award students who have taken part in research, are deserving of academic accolades, or plan to travel for conferences or research.

The Undergraduate Biology Program awarded $37,854.00 in awards and scholarships to students.  

Fall 2025 Undergraduate Biology Academic Awards & Scholarships Winners:

·       Alexandra Coveney, Erma Reed Peterson Scholarship for Pre-medicine Seniors

·       Avery Van Der Wege, Erma Reed Peterson Scholarship for Pre-medicine Seniors

Spring 2026 Undergraduate Biology Academic Awards & Scholarships Winners:

·       Martha Arvanitakis, Robert Tweed Hersh Memorial Scholarship Award in Human Biology

·       Jack Benton Bandy, Pauline Kimball Prize in Zoology

·       Lydia Dexter, Ken and Helen Nelson Opportunities in the Biosciences Award

·       Reed Hodges, Ken and Helen Nelson Opportunities in the Biosciences Award

·       Rohan Joseph, Robert Tweed Hersh Memorial Scholarship Award in Human Biology

·       Julia McDonald, Robert Tweed Hersh Memorial Scholarship Award in Human Biology

·       Trinh Nguyen, Pauline Kimball Prize in Zoology

·       Aarjo Roy, Lance Foster Outstanding Junior in Biology Award

·       Cali Sharp, The Smiley Gilligan Family Fund for the Biosciences

 2026 Undergraduate Biology Research Awards & Scholarships Winners:

·       Sofía Chacón-Araya, Nathan B. Parker Ph.D. Student Award in Biology

·       Kayvon Fardipour, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

·       Nehemiah Joshua Gomendoza, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

·       Yesem Hailemariam, Paul A. Kitos Opportunity in Molecular Biosciences Research Award

·       Laia Terencia Hernández, Jeanne Ellermeier Undergraduate Award in Biochemical Research.

·       Danny Jack, Paul A. Kitos Opportunity in Molecular Biosciences Research Award

·       Avery Johnsmeyer, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

·       Kelsea Kilmer, Paul A. Kitos Opportunity in Molecular Biosciences Research Award

·       Liz Mays, Jeanne Ellermeier Undergraduate Award in Biochemical Research.

·       Christine Nguyen, Jeanne Ellermeier Undergraduate Award in Biochemical Research.

·       Sarayu Pentapati, Paul A. Kitos Opportunity in Molecular Biosciences Research Award

·       Larissa Rockenbach, Paul A. Kitos Opportunity in Molecular Biosciences Research Award

·       Udita Shah, Paul A. Kitos Opportunity in Molecular Biosciences Research Award

·       Maya Welcher, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

·       Katherine Welch, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

·       William Rahe, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

2026 Undergraduate Biology Travel Awards & Scholarships Winners:

·       Kendall Cranor, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

·       Joyce Cortez, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

·       Jim Krentzel, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

·       Anjali Singh, Howieson Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research

 Graduate Teaching Award Winners:

·       Taiye Adewumi, Richard H. Himes Graduate Teaching Award

·       Eric McClosky, Richard H. Himes Graduate Teaching Award

·       Ekta Mohanty, Sally K. Frost and Kenneth A. Mason Excellence Award 

·       Anam Shaikh, Robert H. Ammar Graduate Teaching Award

·       Rayssa Teixeira, Robert H. Ammar Graduate Teaching Award