CNSM Commencement Award Recipients for 2026
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is proud of each and every one of our graduating students. We know that you are truly the best and the brightest. We are excited to recognize this milestone in your professional development and we cheer you as you begin your next chapter.
The faculty of the College are proud to announce the following commencement award recipients for the graduating class of 2026.
Graduate Dean's List of University Scholars and Artists
The top 1% of CNSM graduate students pursuing a graduate degree may be named to the Graduate Dean's List of University Scholars and Artists.
- Zulema Morales, M.S. Science Education, Option in Informal Science Education
- Amber Peek, M.S. Biochemistry
- Kaeden Russell, M.S. Physics and Astronomy
- Delbar Sharifzad, M.S. Computational and Applied Mathematics
Outstanding College Masters Graduates
Richard D. Green Dean's Graduate Scholar Award
Recognizing that the excellence of CNSM graduate students extends to all CNSM departments, the Richard D. Green Dean Outstanding Graduate Scholar List complements the Graduate Dean's List of University Scholars and Artists so that the two awards together acknowledge one top CNSM graduate student in each department.
- Hannah Fitzpatrick, M.S. Geology
- Nicole Vanelli, M.S. Biology
Outstanding Thesis Awards
CNSM recognizes up to six truly outstanding theses, one possible in each department.
- Daniel Erdody, M.S. Microbiology
- Divyanshi Jindal, M.S. Biochemistry
- Jessica Mendoza, M.S. Science Education, Option in Secondary Science Education
- Mark Joseph Pratt, M.S. Geology
- Nicholas Sperruzzio White, M.S. Mathematics
- Kedar Yadav, M.S. Applied Physics
Outstanding Project Awards
CNSM recognizes up to six truly outstanding projects, one possible in each department.
- Aryanna A. Chavez, M.S. Science Education, Option in TIK-12 Science Education
- Jameson Patrick Jewell, M.S. Computational Physics
Departmental Honors
With the approval of the dean of the college, departments may elect to award departmental honors to their baccalaureate graduates based on GPA and/or other criteria determined by the department. Departmental honors are usually reserved for students whose outstanding performance is not otherwise recognized by university or college awards.
In recognition of outstanding graduate student achievements, departments may honor graduating Master's degree candidates by special recognition in the annual commencement ceremonies. Departmental Graduate Student Honors are usually reserved for post-baccalaureate students not otherwise recognized by university or college awards. These honors are normally conferred for excellence in and contributions to the discipline, including outstanding seminar papers, artistic exhibitions, special achievements in field work, and service in university committees and functions, as well as participation in scholarly and professional organizations resulting from student research.
Biological Sciences
- Claribel Yolanda Alcantar, M.S. Biology
- Daniel Erdody, M.S. Microbiology
- Rami Al Harastani, B.S. General Biology
- Gabriel Auge, B.S. Marine Biology
- Rachel Winter Baik, B.S. Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology
- Jennifer Nicole Beltran, B.S. Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology
- Sebastian G. Bonca, B.S. Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology
- Eliott James Brammer, B.S. Zoology, Botany, and Ecology
- Madeline Ann Christopher, B.S. General Biology
- Madeline Jasmin Cubias, B.S. General Biology
- Mayra Hernandez, B.S. Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology
- Dorsa Kamyab, B.S. Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology
- Elli Pauline Kuhn, B.S. Zoology, Botany, and Ecology
- Soomin Kwak, B.S. General Biology
- Elajae Mendez Lee, B.S. Microbiology
- Sydney Luu, B.S. Molecular Science and Physiology
- Lilly Mazzi, B.S. Marine Biology
- Kira Sophia Miller, B.S. Marine Biology
- Bianca Margaux Gefes Pagal, B.S. General Biology
- Grayce Mei Li Sakamoto, B.S. General Biology
- Lexie Elaine Shaw, B.S. Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology
- Michelle Elizabeth Slack, B.S. General Biology
- Keira Lynn Spiller, B.S. Marine Biology
- Hailey Kristen Stevenson, B.S. Marine Biology
- Hannah May Bautista Tabangin, B.S. Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology
- Emmitt J. Taylor, B.S. General Biology
- Millard Cong Minh Truong, B.S. Microbiology
Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Ronald Chau, M.S. Biochemistry
- Lauren McWilliams, M.S. Biochemistry
- Eduardo Vite, M.S. Chemistry
- Gabriela R. Leonard, B.A. Chemistry
- Quinn Yumi O’Driscoll, B.S. Biochemistry
- Athena Thai, Biochemistry
- Amy Ha Trinh, B.S. Biochemistry
- Audrey Tse, B.S. Chemistry
Earth Science
- Aaron Christopher Martin, M.S. Geology
- Siena Oswald, M.S. Geology
- Claire Dan-Uyen Nguyen, Double major in B.S. Earth Science and B.S. Environmental Science and Policy; Minor in Biology
- Simon Arthur F. Streker, Double major in B.S. Geology and B.S. Biochemistry
- Lena Wilson, B.S. Geology
Environmental Science and Policy
- Claire Dan-Uyen Nguyen, Double major in B.S. Environmental Science and Policy and B.S. Earth Science; Minor in Biology
- Jake Thomas Haro, B.S. Environmental Science and Policy
- Justin Q. Phan, B.S. Environmental Science and Policy
Mathematics and Statistics
- Bethanie Ceja, M.S. Mathematics for Educators
- Makoto Kishi, M.S. Computational and Applied Mathematics
- Ethan Adair Newcomb, M.S. Applied Statistics
- Idolina Estefany Castro, B.S. Mathematics
Keanu Marcus Hua, B.S. Applied Statistics - Victor Huynh, B.S. Applied Statistics
- Sabrina Lucy Kramer, B.S. Mathematics
- Sal Pena, B.S. Applied Mathematics
- Seth Potter, B.S. Applied Mathematics
- Joaquin Rivas, B.S. Education Mathematics
Physics and Astronomy
- Anthony Acebal, M.S. Computational Physics
- Eric Corona, M.S. Physics
- Kaitlyn DeVries, B.A. Physics
- Alexander Goytia Fajardo, M.S. Applied Physics
- Jocelyn Van Khanh Nguyen, B.S. Physics
- Trevor J. Weiss, B.S. Physics
Science Education
Outstanding College Baccalaureate Graduates
Richard D. Green Dean's Award
This award recognizes CNSM outstanding graduating baccalaureate students, one undergraduate student per department.
- Hana Ehab Abusair, B.S. Biology
- Nathan Di Loc Chan, B.S. Earth Systems
- Olivia Carroll Clark, B.S. Environmental Science and Policy; Minor in Geographic Information Science
- Ethan Michael Dills, B.S. Mathematics
- Holland Karaghiaulleian, B.S. Physics
- Catherine Rose Palm, B.S. Biochemistry
Richard D. Green Dean's Outstanding Student Teacher in Science
- Pauline Le, Single Subject Credential - Biology
B.S. Biology, University of California, Los Angeles
