For a list of the 2024 Drexel Emerging Graduate Scholars Conference award winners and participants, visit the DEGS website.

Outstanding Mentorship Award

In partnership with Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs in the Pennoni Honors College, the Outstanding Graduate Student Mentorship Awards are presented to graduate and professional students (master's and/or doctoral level) who have shown an outstanding commitment to mentoring, developing and supporting undergraduate and/or new or junior graduate students. While mentorship occurs in many settings, this award focuses on mentorship in a research or scholarly setting, including remote/online, such as during the STAR Scholars Program.

Graduate College Award Winners

Tyler Andres-Bray

PhD Program in Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Caroline Cameron

PhD Program in Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering

Nima Sarfaraz

PhD Program in Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Nominees

Aditya Akolkar

Master's Program in Computer Science

College of Computing and Informatics

Bill Cai
PhD Program in Electrical Engineering

College of Engineering

Anik Choudhury

PhD Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Josh Clark

JD Program in Law

Kline School of Law

Fareshte Erani

PhD Program in Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences

Emily Esquea

PhD Program in Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Davin Evanson

MD Program in Medicine

College of Medicine

Tetiana Hryhorchuk

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Beth Kern

PhD Program in Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Jyothii Kulasingam

Master's Program in Interdisciplinary Health Science

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Peihan Li

PhD Program in Electrical Engineering

College of Engineering

Sammy Schuster

PhD Program in Health Management and Policy

Dornsife School of Public Health

Ricardo Checchia Whitaker

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Drexel Common Good Award

In partnership with the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, the Drexel Common Good Award is presented to graduate and professional students (master's and/or doctoral level) who demonstrate academic excellence and who are committed to improving the world around them by making contributions to local, national or global communities through either scholarship, civic engagement, and community building.

Graduate College Award Winners

Karena Escalante

PhD Program in Education

School of Education

Anil Kumar

MPH Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

Nominees

Nora Casper

JD Program in Law

Kline School of Law

Adia Edmondson

Master's Program in Arts Administration and Museum Leadership

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Grace Ghambi

Master's Program in Electrical Engineering

College of Engineering

Yan Naing Oo

Master's Program in Business Analytics

LeBow College of Business

Ramyar Tajik

PhD Program in Architectural Engineering

College of Engineering

Social Change Award for Equity

The Graduate College and Center for Black Culture are proud of the justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts of graduate and professional BIPOC student community in antiracist community engagement, activism, and involvement within and outside of the University community.

Graduate College Award Winners

Tanaya Deshpande

Master's Program in Interior Architecture

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Victoria Gallogly

Master's Program in Library and Information Science

College of Computing and Informatics

Nominees

Melissa (Missy) Harness

Master's Program in Library and Information Science

College of Computing and Informatics

Sarah Malik

PhD Program in Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering

Gabrielle Maloney

DCFT Program in Couple and Family Therapy

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Marie Owino

MPH Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

Josepha Sugrue

Master's Program in Design Research

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Deeksha Walia

JD Program in Law

Kline School of Law

Biomedical Graduate Students for Diversity

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Research Excellence Awards

Research Excellence Awards are presented to graduate and professional (master's and doctoral level) students who have completed original, innovative research, scholarship and/or creativity during their career at Drexel.

Graduate College Award Winners

Mohammad Houshmand - Post-Candidacy

PhD Program in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering

Shreya Soni - Pre-Candidacy
PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Lauren Tennenbaum - Master's

Master's Program in Interior Architecture and Design

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Ricardo Checchia Whitaker - Most Original & Creative Work

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Emily Esquea - Expanding the Impact of Research
PhD Program in Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
College of Medicine

Nominees - Post-Candidacy

Robin Deb

PhD Program in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering

Elizabeth Espinal

PhD Program in Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences

Farnaz Ghashami

PhD Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Xuan Luo

PhD Program in Pharmacology and Physiology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Dahlia Stott

PhD Program in Nutrition Sciences

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Xiaohuan Sun

PhD Program in Neuroscience

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Danzhen Zhang

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Nominees - Pre-Candidacy

Golshid Jaferian

PhD Program in Digital Media

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Darya Ramezani

PhD Program in Digital Media

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Nominees - Master's

Tasha Singh

Master's Program in Interior Architecture

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Nominees - Most Original & Creative Work

Gina Cusimano

PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Robin Deb

PhD Program in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering

Elizabeth Espinal

PhD Program in Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences

Farnaz Ghashami

PhD Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Golshid Jaferian

PhD Program in Digital Media

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Xuan Luo

PhD Program in Pharmacology and Physiology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Darya Ramezani

PhD Program in Digital Media

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Tasha Singh

Master's Program in Interior Architecture

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Dahlia Stott

PhD Program in Nutrition Sciences

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Xiaohuan Sun

PhD Program in Neuroscience

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Danzhen Zhang

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Nominees - Expanding the Impact of Research

Gina Cusimano

PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Robin Deb

PhD Program in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering

Elizabeth Espinal

PhD Program in Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences

Farnaz Ghashami

PhD Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Golshid Jaferian

PhD Program in Digital Media

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Xuan Luo

PhD Program in Pharmacology and Physiology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Darya Ramezani

PhD Program in Digital Media

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Tasha Singh

Master's Program in Interior Architecture

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Dahlia Stott

PhD Program in Nutrition Sciences

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Xiaohuan Sun

PhD Program in Neuroscience

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Danzhen Zhang

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Outstanding Dissertation Awards

The Outstanding Dissertation Awards are presented to doctoral-level students who have written original, innovative dissertations that reflect great research and have or are likely to be disseminated widely and have significant impact on the field and society. This award is open to all doctoral-level students who have achieved candidacy and are expected to complete, defend their dissertation, and graduate in the current academic year (prior to September 7, 2024).

Graduate College Award Winners

Alex Inman

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Erin O'Brien

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Nominees

Tyler Andres-Bray

PhD Program in Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Karissa Barbarevech

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Lizbeth Gomez

PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Health

Dornsife School of Public Health

Mohammad Houshmand

PhD Program in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering

Xuan Luo

PhD Program in Pharmacology and Physiology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Teck-Kah Lim Award

Teck-Kah Lim, PhD, is the former Associate Vice Provost of Graduate Studies and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physics. He served as a dedicated leader in the Office of Graduate Studies, now the Graduate College, for over a decade. The Teck-Kah Lim Graduate Student Excellence Award, established in 2018, is presented to graduate and professional students (master's and/or doctoral level) who show promise of future meaningful contributions to local, national or global communities as can be gleaned from present academic excellence and achievements in research and/or teaching, as well as outstanding selfless service to peers, and the local community.

Graduate College Award Winner

Madison LaBella

PhD Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Nominees

Robin Deb

PhD Program in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering

Vinay Karamchandani

Master's Program in Cybersecurity

College of Engineering

Mohammad Houshmand

PhD Program in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering

Kyle Matthews

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Victoria Nash

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Akari Seiner

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Tasha Singh

Master's Program in Interior Architecture

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Lauren Tennenbaum

Master's Program in Interior Architecture and Design

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Teaching Assistant Excellence Awards

Teaching Assistant Excellence Awards are presented to graduate and professional students (master's and/or doctoral level) who serve as Teaching Assistants or Teaching Fellows (TAs/TFs) and who exhibit exemplary commitment to student learning through reflective teaching practices, creative and innovative teaching methods, academic support, leadership and a commitment to their own professional growth and development as an educator.

Graduate College Award Winners

Mike Alvaro

PhD Program in Environmental Engineering

College of Engineering

Jessica Evins

MSN Program in Nursing Education

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Lisa Frueh

PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Health

Dornsife School of Public Health

Carl Furner

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Farnaz Ghashami

PhD Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Blaize Giangiulio

PhD Program in Economics

LeBow College of Business

Smruti Gote

Master's Program in Cybersecurity

College of Engineering

Jihyeon Kwon

PhD Program in Biostatistics

Dornsife School of Public Health

Ananya Vijayendra

Master's Program in Interior Architecture

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Jessica Webster

PhD Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

Continuing Excellence in Teaching Assistance Award

Emily Griffith

PhD Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Earth Systems

College of Arts and Sciences

Nominees

Sultan Aitzhan

PhD Program in Mathematics

College of Arts and Sciences

Christian Cabuslay

PhD Program in Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Monet Harbison

PhD Program in Education

School of Education

Jiachen (Ed) Liu

PhD Program in Environmental Engineering

College of Engineering

Rachit Pandey

PhD Program in Physics

College of Arts and Sciences

Jasper Perry Anderson

PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Lara Rende

Master's Program in Digital Media

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Heather Santos

PhD Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

Osmaan Shahid

MD Program in Medicine

College of Medicine

Graduate College Recognition Awards

Leslie Ashburn-Nardo, PhD
Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

For leadership and advocacy in support of faculty and professional staff advisors and graduate students, ensuring a culture of equity in academic activities and operations.

Ken Bohrer, MS
Senior Career Counselor
Steinbright Career Development Center

For continued dedication to supporting professional development and career counseling, programs, and services for graduate students.

Michael Bouchard, PhD
Director, Division of Biomedical Science Programs
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
Professor
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
College of Medicine

For leadership of the E-Forms Committee and expanding opportunities for master’s students and individualized plans of study.

Noor Jemy, MS
Assistant Director, Graduate Student Services
LeBow College of Business
Professional Staff Advisor of the Drexel Muslim Students Association
University's Spiritual and Religious Life Committee

For leadership in graduate academic affairs and advising in the LeBow College of Business and advocacy and support in advising the Drexel Muslim Students Association, paving the way for Muslim inclusivity on campus and cultivating a culture of mutual respect for the variety of faith traditions on campus.

Michele Kutzler, PhD
Chair, Committee on Graduate Academic Affairs of the University Council on Graduate Affairs
Associate Dean for Faculty
Professor
Departments of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology
College of Medicine

For leadership of the Committee on Graduate Academic Affairs and advocacy for continued assessment and improvement of graduate student policies, processes, and procedures.

Rachel Mroz, BA '24
Education Program Assistant
Department of Neurology
University of Pennsylvania
Former Communications and Events Co-op & Student Staff Member
Graduate College

For years of hard work and dedication as a co-op and student staff member and leaving a lasting impact on our graduate community.

Ryan Petrie, PhD
Director, Biology Graduate Program
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
College of Arts and Sciences

For leadership of the E-Forms Committee continuously refining the process and improving the experience for faculty, professional staff, committee members, and graduate students.

Melissa G. Richman, MSEd '14
Deputy to the President

For years of hard work, dedication, and service to the Graduate College and greater graduate community.

Subir Sahu, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Success

For leadership and partnership in developing and promoting the Academic Resource Center (ARC), a key initiative of the Drexel 2030 Retention and Student Success Team, fostering the inclusion of and improved support for graduate students, along with the Student Success team, and for partnership in welcoming and supporting Salus University integration.

Ebony White, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS
Outgoing Chair, Graduate College's Diversity Advisory Council (DAC)
Associate Clinical Professor
Program Director, Master in Addictions Counseling
Counseling & Family Therapy Department
College of Nursing and Health Professions

For leadership of the Diversity Advisory Council and dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among the graduate community.

Public Health Doctoral Student Advisory Group (PHDSAG)

Katherine Ardeleanu
PhD Program in Health Services Research and Policy
Dornsife School of Public Health

Hal Chen
PhD Program in Biostatistics
Dornsife School of Public Health

Lisa Frueh
PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Health
Dornsife School of Public Health

Nipuni Gomes
PhD Program in Health Services Research and Policy
Dornsife School of Public Health

Lizbeth Gomez
PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Health
Dornsife School of Public Health

For leadership and advocacy in support of the graduate student community’s health and well-being and efforts to enhance the student experience.