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.

Office of Graduate Studies Award Winners

Nusaiba Ahmed

PhD Program in Biochemistry of Health and Disease

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

DeAndra Forde

PhD Program in Nutrition Sciences

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Jared Richards

PhD Program in Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences

Nominees

Yash Agarwal

PhD Program in Pharmacology and Physiology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Tiara Bounyarith
PhD Program in Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences

Emily Clark

PhD Program in Education

School of Education

Niloofar Esmati

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Essien Oku Essien

PhD Program in Communication, Culture and Media

College of Arts and Sciences

James FitzPatrick

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Ali Ghadmizadeh

PhD Program in Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering

Jagger Godarzi

MD Program in Medicine

College of Medicine

Gowri Govindaraj

PhD Program in Physics

College of Arts and Sciences

Sobhan Honarvar

PhD Program in Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering

Yuki Lam

PhD Program in Chemistry

College of Arts and Sciences

Jaclyn Lo

MD Program in Medicine

College of Medicine

Danny Mahmoudi

MD Program in Medicine

College of Medicine

Giselle Matlis

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Jon Merwin

PhD Program in Ecology, Evolution and Earth Systems

College of Arts and Sciences

Anthony Moreno Sanchez

PhD Program in Neuroscience

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Akari Seiner

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Tai Simpson

PhD Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

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.

Office of Graduate Studies Award Winners

Mark A. Hernandez

PhD Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

Victoria Rodriguez Villareal

MPH Program in Environmental and Occupational Health

Dornsife School of Public Health

Nominees

Sanjith Kumar Balasubramanian

MS Program in Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience

College of Computing and Informatics

Jessica Cruz

MA Program in Art Therapy and Counseling

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Taylor Flynn

PhD Program in Neuroscience

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Caroline Kravitz

PhD Program in Health Services Research and Policy

Dornsife School of Public Health

Xinyue Liu

PhD Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Delaney Nordstrom

MA Program in Art Therapy and Counseling

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Mark O'Neill

MLIS Program in Library and Information Science

College of Computing and Informatics

April Marie Soriano

MS Program in Complementary and Integrative Health

College of Nursing and Health Professions

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.

Office of Graduate Studies Award Winners

Natalie Smolin - Post-Candidacy

PhD Program in Biomedical Science

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Darya Ramezani - Pre-Candidacy
PhD Program in Digital Media
Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Anoushka Mann - Terminal Masters
MS Program in Interior Architecture
Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Vahid Rad - Most Original & Creative Work

PhD Program in Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering

Nominees - Post-Candidacy

Emily Bitsko

PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Laura D'Adamo

PhD Program in Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences

Alexandra Eastus

PhD Program in Health Services Research and Policy

Dornsife School of Public Health

Essien Oku Essien

PhD Program in Communication, Culture and Media

College of Arts and Sciences

Naghmeh Ghalamsiah

PhD Program in Architectural Engineering

College of Engineering

Ijeoma Okpue

PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Daniel Pyda

PhD Program in Physics

College of Arts and Sciences

Vahid Rad

PhD Program in Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering

Nicole Rafalko

PhD Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

Saleh Refahi

PhD Program in Electrical Engineering

College of Engineering

Andre Tayamen

PhD Program in Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering

Ximing Wen

PhD Program in Information Science

College of Computing and Informatics

Hyunwoo Yoo

PhD Program in Electrical Engineering

College of Engineering

Shichen Yu

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Teng Zhang

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Nominees - Pre-Candidacy

Bryan Burnell

PhD Program in Physics

College of Arts and Sciences

Koichi Sakakibara

PhD Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

Nominees - Terminal Masters

Matthew Cote

MS Program in Interior Architecture

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Fariha Haque

MPH Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

Chizoba Okorie

MPH Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

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, 2026).

Office of Graduate Studies Award Winners

Emily Bitsko

PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Yigit Topoglu

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

College/School Finalists

Alexandra Eastus

PhD Program in Health Services Research and Policy

Dornsife School of Public Health

James FitzPatrick

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Naghmeh Ghalamsiah

PhD Program in Architectural Engineering

College of Engineering

Jihyeon Kwon

PhD Program in Biostatistics

Dornsife School of Public Health

Ijeoma Okoye

PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Vahid Rad

PhD Program in Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering

Saleh Refahi

PhD Program in Electrical Engineering

College of Engineering

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

Kayode Oluwasegun

PhD Program in Mathematics

College of Arts and Sciences

Nominees

Yash Agarwal

PhD Program in Pharmacology and Physiology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Yash Athreya

PhD Program in Materials Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Matthew Cote

MS Program in Interior Architecture

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Emily Mercandetti

MSN Program in Nursing Education

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Chizoba Okorie

MPH Program in Epidemiology

Dornsife School of Public Health

Akari Seiner

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

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.

Office of Graduate Studies Award Winners

Amir Bagheri

PhD Program in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering

Christian D'Andrea

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Ursula Demarquet Alban

MS Program in Interior Architecture and Design

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Rikki Dong

PhD Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Ian Kotler

PhD Program in Physics

College of Arts and Sciences

Mary Marino

PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Mayur Patel

MBA Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Randolph Sinahon

PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Mehrangiz Taheri

PhD Program in Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering

Cennet Ulukavak

PhD Program in Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science

College of Arts and Sciences

Continuing Excellence in Teaching Assistance

Yuki Lam

PhD Program in Chemistry

College of Arts and Sciences

Nominees

Nicole Barbera

PhD Program in Ecology, Evolution and Earth Systems

College of Arts and Sciences

Michael Becht

PhD Program in Mathematics

College of Arts and Sciences

Asef Chowdhury

OD Program in Optometry

Pennsylvania College of Optometry

Jagger Godarzi

MD Program in Medicine

College of Medicine

Danny Mahmoudi

MD Program in Medicine

College of Medicine

Aiman Nadeem

PhD Program in Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Emma O'Flaherty

MSN Program in Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Ugo Okolie

MS Program in Biomedical Studies

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies

College of Medicine

Meghna Rajbhandari

PhD Program in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering

Emma Straw

MS Program in Interior Architecture and Design

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Jackson Stromberg

MD Program in Medicine

College of Medicine

Courtney Todaro

JD Program in Law

Kline School of Law

Quang Luan Dang Tran

PhD Program in Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering

Travis Trew

MS Program in Interior Architecture and Design

Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Manru Wei

PhD Program in Business Administration

LeBow College of Business

Office of Graduate Studies Recognition Awards

Office of Financial Aid
Cindy DeLone

Drexel Central
Taylor Steltz

Drexel Business Services & Graduate Housing
Don Liberati
Amanda Noll
Katie Musar

Drexel Public Safety & Drexel University Policy Department (DUPD)
Melvin Singleton, Jr.

International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS)

Graduate Student Association Awards

Outstanding Civic & Community Engagement Award

This award honors a student organization for its exceptional commitment to service, advocacy, and social responsibility. It recognizes organizations that build meaningful bridges between Drexel and the broader community to address societal needs.

Maternal and Child Health Student Organization (MCHSO)

Excellence in Innovative Student Engagement Award

This award honors and student organization that uses creative strategies and unique programming to redefine graduate student connection. It highlights excellence in increasing participation and fostering a sense of belonging across the university.

Drexel Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (DGWISE)

Outstanding Fundraising & Community Outreach Award

This award honors a student organization that has shown remarkable initiative in mobilizing resources and inspiring generosity for a greater cause. It recognizes organizations whose impactful campaigns provide tangible support and reflect a commitment to social impact.

Persian Student Association (PSA)

Dragon Heart Award

This award is presented to a Drexel University administrator, faculty, or staff member who leads with heart through unwavering support, genuine mentorship, and a deep commitment to bringing ideas to life. It recognizes individuals whose dedication has made a lasting impact on the students and communities they serve.

Michael Ryan

Katie P. Zamulinsky