unc dean's distinguished dissertation award

The 2021 Graduate School Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Awards

By Melissa Stewart

Each year, The Graduate School recognizes four doctoral candidates or recent doctoral graduates for creating exceptional dissertations in each of the following fields: biological and life sciences; humanities and fine arts; mathematics, physical sciences and engineering; and social sciences.

The 2021 recipients of the Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award are  Katherine Calvin ,  Alex Gertner ,  Nicholas Levis  and  Xun Xiao . Each honoree will receive a cash award; additionally, The Graduate School nominates two awardees each year for the national CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award.

“Congratulations to our 2021 recipients of the Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award,” said  Suzanne Barbour , dean of The Graduate School. “Their exciting work addresses questions of societal, medical and scientific importance. The Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award recognizes the highest level of graduate student scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill, based on originality, innovation, scholarly excellence, methodological sophistication and significance to the field of study.

“Each of these individuals has done outstanding work that portends a brilliant future as a scholar and researcher in their field of study.”

Read about their award-winning research in their own words:

Katherine Calvin, Art History

2021 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award, Humanities and Fine Arts

Antiquity and Empire: The Construction of History in Western European Representations of the Ottoman Empire, 1650-1830

Dissertation Advisers: Christopher Johns and the late Mary Sheriff

“My dissertation examines how Europeans and Ottomans politicized images and artifacts related to ancient sites, such as Palmyra and Athens, throughout the 18th century. I argue the resulting narratives of cultural entitlement were used as political justifications for imperial expansion by both groups in present-day Syria, Iraq and Greece.”

Alex Gertner, Health Policy and Management

2021 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award, Social Sciences

Quality and Access of Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Medicaid

Dissertation Adviser: Marisa Domino

“Deaths from opioid overdoses continue to devastate communities across the country, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Medication treatment for opioid addiction is safe and effective although it remains underused. My dissertation examined access and quality of medication treatment in Medicaid, the country’s largest payer of addiction treatment.”

Nicholas Levis, Biology

2021 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award, Biological and Life Sciences

Plasticity-Led Evolution in Nature

Dissertation Adviser: David Pfennig

“Where do new traits come from? Diverse evidence from spadefoot toads supports the controversial hypothesis that environmentally induced changes to development – phenotypic plasticity – can lead to the evolution of new features. More generally, this work provides critical information to inform ongoing debates around the origins of novelty, diversity and adaptation.”

Xun Xiao, Applied Sciences and Engineering

2021 dean’s distinguished dissertation award, mathematics, physical sciences and engineering.

Physical Properties of Perovskite Materials: Understanding and Managing Carrier Behavior for Efficient Solar Cells

Dissertation Adviser: Jinsong Huang

“My research is to develop technology to make energy consumption in the world affordable and environmentally friendly. I designed a novel surface treatment method, synthesized a new active layer and explored a unique encapsulation method to convert solar energy to electricity with perovskite solar cells in an efficient and green manner.”

By The Graduate School 

Four graduate alumni receive The Graduate School Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award

Honoring 2022 recipients.

Each year, The Graduate School recognizes four doctoral candidates or recent doctoral graduates for creating exceptional dissertations in each of the following fields: biological and life sciences; humanities and fine arts; mathematics, physical sciences and engineering; and social sciences.  

The 2022 recipients of the Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award are Rachel E. Bangle (‘21 Ph.D.); Siddhartha Biswas (‘21 Ph.D.); Mark Reeves (‘21 Ph.D.);  and Bingxin Zhao (‘21 Ph.D.) .  Each honoree will receive a cash award; additionally, The Graduate School nominates two awardees each year for the national CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award.  

“Congratulations to these graduate students on their achievements, which have culminated in this award, said Suzanne Barbour , dean of The Graduate School. “From access to higher education to the inner-workings of the human brain, these are standout graduate students in their fields of study. They are well deserving of this notable award.”  

The awards recognize the highest level of graduate student scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill, based on originality, innovation, scholarly excellence, methodological sophistication, and significance to the field of study. A faculty panel from a broad range of disciplines selected this year’s recipients.   

2022 recipients, in their own words:  

Rachel e. bangle (‘21 ph.d.).

Department of Chemistry College of Arts & Sciences  

Dissertation: Interfacial electron transfer for solar energy conversion: kinetic and mechanistic insights Advisor: Jerry Meyer  

“Interfacial electron transfer, the movement of electrons between solid surfaces and nearby molecules, is one of the most important tools we have for converting sunlight into carbon-neutral liquid fuels. In my dissertation, I examined light-induced interfacial electron transfer reactions to gain fundamental insights into the physical parameters that govern their kinetics. I also used this knowledge to develop and study new strategies to control interfacial electron transfer for solar energy conversion.”  

Siddhartha Biswas (‘18 M.S., ‘21 Ph.D.)

Department of Economics College of Arts & Sciences  

Dissertation: Federal student loans, college choice, and student welfare Advisor: Donna B. Gilleskie  

“My dissertation examines the role of federal student loans in students’ college enrollment decisions. I developed a model to highlight how loans can inform a student’s choice of institution and evaluate the gains associated with each type of college. Lastly, I compare the benefits of raising loan limits with other education subsidies for various student groups.”  

Mark Reeves (‘21 Ph.D.)

Department of History College of Arts & Sciences  

Dissertation: Lost horizons: Anticolonial internationalism, 1930-1945 Advisor: Susan Dabney Pennybacker

“My dissertation follows the parallel careers of anti-colonial activists from Syria, India, the Philippines and Nigeria during the 1930s and the Second World War, in order to show that anti-colonialists had an ambitious global agenda beyond nationalism. While they sought to gain independence for their countries, they also concentrated on building a new world order free of colonial domination.”  

Bingxin Zhao (‘20 Ph.D.)

Department of Biostatistics UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health  

Dissertation: Topics in high-dimensional asymptotics of ridge-type estimators Advisor: Hongtu Zhu  

“How do genetics control the human brain? Using neuroimaging and genetics data from more than 40,000 subjects, we describe the genetic influences on brain structures and functions. More generally, we find that brain conditions are genetically related to a wide range of human behavior variables, mental health traits, and brain disorders. Neuroimaging biomarkers from biobank-scale databases can contribute to understanding the biological pathways of brain-related traits and diseases.”  

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Awards Recognizing Graduate Students

Awards recognizing graduate faculty, awards recognizing excellence in student services, other awards, boka hadzija award for distinguished university service by a graduate or professional student.

This award recognizes a graduate or professional student who has been judged the most outstanding in character, scholarship, leadership, and service to the University. The recipient will be recognized with a cash award and plaque at the Graduate School’s Student Recognition Celebration each April. This award is also one of the few graduate awards to be recognized at the Chancellor’s Award Ceremony.

GEAB Impact Award

Graduate Education Advancement Board Impact Award recognizes and showcases graduate student research that has a direct impact on the state of North Carolina. Research can be in its early stages, currently ongoing, or completed. Research that impacts society in general, including North Carolina, will also be considered. IMPACT Award winners will receive a cash prize and recognition during the Graduate School's Annual Student Recognition Event held each April.

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Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award

To recognize the scholarly contributions of UNC-Chapel Hill doctoral students as revealed through their dissertation projects and to highlight the timely completion of doctoral training. Students cannot apply directly for this award but are nominated by their graduate program. The selection criteria include the following: originality, innovativeness, scholarly excellence, methodological sophistication, and significant contribution to the discipline. Award winners will receive a cash prize and a recognition plaque during the Graduate School's Annual Student Recognition Event in April.

• 2023 Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award winners
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Frank Porter Graham Graduate and Professional Student Honor Society

The Frank Porter Graham Graduate and Professional Student Honor Society (FPGHS) recognizes outstanding service provided to the University and community by graduate and professional students enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Honor Society also recognizes faculty and staff who have contributed to graduate and professional education at the University.

Summer Research Fellowships

Summer Research Fellowships provide summer support to doctoral students so they may focus exclusively on their dissertation research. The fellowship is intended to enable students to complete their degree more quickly and supports students who normally do not have funding during the summer. Each named fellowship is made possible through a generous gift to The Graduate School, and fellows interact with their benefactor during a reception each fall.

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Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring

The Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring recognizes graduate faculty who provide outstanding support and guidance to their doctoral students. We encourage the nomination of both senior and junior faculty for this award. When appropriate, The Graduate School will present two awards — one award to a senior faculty member who has demonstrated excellence as a seasoned mentor and one award to a junior faculty member who has exhibited outstanding mentoring at an early stage.

The award(s) will be presented during the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony . All graduate students who receive their doctoral degrees during the current academic year are invited to nominate faculty members for this award.

Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student and Academic Program Support

The Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student and Academic Program Support recognizes graduate faculty currently in the Director of Graduate Studies role who provide outstanding support for graduate programs and their students.

Frank Porter Graham Graduate and Professional Student Honor Society Nominations

Excellence In Graduate Student Services Award

Co-sponsored by The Graduate School and the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) , this award recognizes the significant work that Student Services Managers do within programs, departments, and schools to: support the graduate student experience, cultivate graduate student community, and help students navigate the challenges and successes of graduate life. The recipient will be recognized with a cash award and plaque at the Graduate School’s Student Recognition Celebration in April.

Dean's Award for Significant Contributions to Graduate Education

This award recognizes the significant work to support graduate education at Carolina. The recipient will be recognized with a plaque at the Graduate School’s Student Recognition Celebration in April.

News and Events

Julie kafka receives unc graduate school’s 2023 dean’s distinguished dissertation award.

Julie Kafka, PhD, MPH

Julie Kafka, PhD, MPH, was recently awarded the UNC Graduate School’s Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award . This honor is bestowed by the dean of the UNC Graduate School on candidates who score highly on a rigorous evaluation of their research. In addition to this prestigious recognition, Kafka was selected as a UNC Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRC) Injury and Violence Prevention Fellow in 2019, was awarded Emerging Research Program funding from UNC IPRC, and worked as a research assistant on several projects.

We reached out to Kafka to learn more about her work, her life, and her academic journey through the following Q & A.

How did you get to this point? Where did you grow up and how did you end up at UNC in this field?

Growing up outside Boston, both of my parents worked in mental/behavioral health, treating and supporting individuals impacted by violence. This included survivors, perpetrators, and children who had witnessed violence in the home. Interpersonal violence was a common topic of conversation at the dinner table, and it became something I cared deeply about addressing. In high school, I interned at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and during college I provided childcare for women in domestic violence group counseling. Like so many of us, I came to know far too many people who had experienced violence at the hands of someone close to them. It is easy to feel despair and hopelessness in the face of violence, but these were formative experiences for me that highlighted the urgent need for systems-level solutions, including policies, programs, and funding to support larger initiatives to help survivors of violence and their families. While individual-level work is critical, we need macro-level change to effectively prevent and interrupt violence in the US.

With that goal in mind, I came to UNC in 2016 for my master’s in public health (MPH) in the Department of Health Behavior to study solutions to address intimate partner violence (IPV). I worked with my advisor, Dr. Beth Moracco, on several applied research projects to evaluate civil legal processes and policy interventions to protect IPV survivors. It was energizing to be immersed in prevention. While receiving amazing mentorship and support from Dr. Moracco, I also unexpectedly fell in love with the research process itself. As a result, I decided to stick around for my PhD, and I’m so glad that I did! I have been connected to so many leaders in the field of violence prevention, and it has been a truly exciting and humbling journey.

Can you tell us more about the academic work you’ve been doing? What paved the way for you once you got to UNC and helped you achieve this recognition?

Before I began my PhD, I took a summer position in Raleigh at the North Carolina Department of Public Health focused on improving accessibility and visibility of the state’s Violent Death Reporting System (VDRS). VDRS is a public health data system that collects the most comprehensive and detailed information about homicide and suicide deaths in the US. The North Carolina Department of Public Health folks have a strong relationship with the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center, which made it easy for me to gain mentorship and support in this new setting. Scott Proescholdbell, the lead investigator for North Carolina’s VDRS, took me under his wing and really helped me succeed in this role.

This is where my dissertation came into focus. VDRS has one variable that captures whether IPV was a contributing factor for each death, but I noticed that it wasn’t systematically recorded for suicides. This felt like a significant gap. Research has already shown that being involved in an abusive relationship, either as a survivor or perpetrator, can lead to depression, social isolation, and suicidal thoughts. Why not capture and count cases where IPV contributed to suicide?

To address this question, my research documented the link between IPV and suicide using unstructured text data from VDRS. With the help of my advisor, we created a coding protocol to review available summary text from suicides and record whether IPV was described as a contributing factor. With a small group of fellow students, colleagues, and new mentors, we hand-reviewed thousands of cases and found evidence that IPV was a contributing factor in more than 1 in 16 suicides in North Carolina. This process was valuable, but manual review of death record text in VDRS is time consuming and emotionally draining; these are violent events with lots of graphic details in the text. To make this process scalable, I developed a supervised machine learning tool that conducts the text coding for us. My machine learning tool was trained using 8,500 hand-coded cases as the gold standard. In a held-out test of 1,500 new suicide cases, we found that the tool accurately labels the presence or absence of IPV circumstances with high sensitivity and a robust F1 score. This supervised machine learning tool is now publicly available on Github and it opens the door to additional research, monitoring, and prevention of IPV-related suicide at a national scale.

The supportive network at UNC and beyond was really what made this project possible.

There is a famous saying that “what gets measured gets managed.” I believe strongly in good measurement and its ability to help change our conceptualization of a problem. By better understanding and measuring the link between IPV and suicide, I hope that it can hasten our response to addressing these problems more proactively through policy, programming, funding, and outreach to (hopefully) improve people’s lives.

What would you like to say in response to being honored in this way?

I want to say thank you to my advisor Dr. Beth Moracco, to the faculty in the Department of Health Behavior, to my dissertation committee, to my collaborators at the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center, to Scott Proescholdbell at the North Carolina Department of Public Health, and our hard-working team of hand-coders. I have received tremendous support, training, and encouragement throughout my graduate studies from these sources and others. I’m deeply grateful to be surrounded by such an engaged, passionate, dedicated, and responsible community of public health researchers, practitioners, and educators.

I also want to say thank you to the UNC Graduate School, and to the UNC faculty for recognizing this work and putting a spotlight on IPV and suicide. This recognition will help direct more attention and resources toward saving and improving the lives of people who are impacted by these dire problems.

The UNC Graduate School’s 2023 Distinguished Dissertation award is presented to exceptional PhD candidates for the quality of their dissertations based on their academic record, originality of work, readability, research design, research significance and overall score. Their scores are based on a set of guidelines that measure how compelling, relevant, and clearly articulated the dissertation is. About this award .

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Nicholas Levis Awarded the 2021 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award!

Congratulations to Nicholas Levis for the 2021 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award in Biological and Life Sciences! Nicholas’ dissertation focuses on plasticity-led evolution in nature and his advisor was Professor David Pfennig. From the website: “Where do new traits come from? Diverse evidence from spadefoot toads supports the controversial hypothesis that environmentally induced changes to development – phenotypic plasticity – can lead to the evolution of new features. More generally, this work provides critical information to inform ongoing debates around the origins of novelty, diversity and adaptation.”

Read more about Nicholas and the other 2021 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award winners here .

Zhao receives The Graduate School Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award

April 12, 2022

Dr. Bingxin Zhao

Bingxin Zhao, PhD, a 2020 doctoral alumnus of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and assistant professor of statistics at Purdue University, is one of four recipients of The Graduate School at UNC’s 2022 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award.

Each year, The Graduate School recognizes four doctoral candidates or recent doctoral graduates for creating exceptional dissertations in each of the following fields: biological and life sciences; humanities and fine arts; mathematics, physical sciences and engineering; and social sciences. Along with Zhao, the 2022 recipients of the Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award are Rachel E. Bangle, Siddhartha Biswas and Mark Reeves. Each honoree receives a cash award; additionally, The Graduate School nominates two awardees each year for the national CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award. 

The awards recognize the highest level of graduate student scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill, based on originality, innovation, scholarly excellence, methodological sophistication, and significance to the field of study. A faculty panel from a broad range of disciplines selected this year’s recipients.

Zhao’s dissertation is titled “ Topics in high-dimensional asymptotics of ridge-type estimators .”

“How do genetics control the human brain? Using neuroimaging and genetics data from more than 40,000 subjects, we describe the genetic influences on brain structures and functions,” Zhao explained. “More generally, we find that brain conditions are genetically related to a wide range of human behavior variables, mental health traits and brain disorders. Neuroimaging biomarkers from biobank-scale databases can contribute to understanding the biological pathways of brain-related traits and diseases.”

Dr. Hongtu Zhu

“This is a high-impact study on understanding the genetic architecture of the human brain and developing advanced analytical tools for dense and weak signals in biobank-scale datasets,” said Zhao’s dissertation advisor, Hongtu Zhu, PhD . Zhu is a professor of biostatistics with adjunct appointments in genetics, statistics, computer science and the Biomedical Research Imaging Center.

“Congratulations to these graduate students on their achievements, which have culminated in this award, said  Suzanne Barbour , dean of The Graduate School. “From access to higher education to the inner-workings of the human brain, these are standout graduate students in their fields of study. They are well deserving of this notable award.”  

Read the full announcement from The Graduate School .

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Impact Awards: 7 Gillings School students honored for transformative research contributions

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Brittany Rickard Wins The Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award

March 19, 2024

Congratulations to our very own Brittany Rickard for winning the Biological & Life Sciences Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award. The Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award recognizes the highest level of graduate student scholarship at UNC Chapel Hill, highlighting the original and innovative work of our doctoral candidates and graduates. Please join us in our appreciation for all of Brittany’s hard work during her time in CiTEM and in wishing her all the best as she prepares to graduate in 2024. Well done, Brittany!

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Qiang Zhang Receives Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award for Work In Robotic Devices

Each year, The Graduate School recognizes four doctoral candidates or recent doctoral graduates for creating exceptional dissertations in each of the following fields: biological and life sciences; humanities and fine arts; mathematics, physical sciences and engineering; and social sciences.

“This year’s award recipients are emblematic of graduate students whose creation of new knowledge will transform their fields and contribute to solving the most vexing challenges of our day,” Beth Mayer-Davis, dean of The Graduate School, said. “I’m thrilled to recognize these hard-working and dedicated students. The exciting and diverse areas of their dissertation research are a triumph, and we are grateful for these students’ curiosity and how they’ve excelled in graduate school.”

Qiang Zhang, a 2021 Ph.D. in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, has received this year’s Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award for his research investigating neuromuscular signals that detect human ankle joint motion intent in neurorehabilitative robotic devices.

“My dissertation investigates the neuromuscular signals sensing fusion approaches to detect human ankle joint motion intent and incorporates surface electromyography (sEMG) signals and ultrasound (US) imaging signals in the closed-loop control of neurorehabilitative robotic devices, including functional electrical stimulation (FES) and powered lower-limb exoskeletons, for individuals with mobility deficits due to neurological disorders, such spinal cord injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.”

The other recipients of the Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award include:

Jocelyn Burney ‘14 Department of Religious Studies, College of Arts and Sciences

Julie Kafka (‘18 MPH, ‘22 Ph.D) Ph.D., MPH, Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global of Public Health

Cathy Spangler ‘16 (‘22 Ph.D.) Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Zhang will be honored, along with the other recipients, at The Graduate School’s annual recognition ceremony, to be held in mid-April 2023.

This article was originally published on March 16, 2023, by Carolina Graduate School Magazine by Elizabeth Poindexter and can be found here . The article has been edited for relevancy to the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Cole Sorensen named the Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Awardee for all of physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering at UNC

Cole sorensen named the dean's distinguished dissertation awardee for all of physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering at unc.

April 19, 2024 | UNC-Chapel Hill Chemistry Communication

Congratulations to Cole Sorensen, 5th year student of the Leibfarth Lab, for being recognized as the Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Awardee for all of physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering! Sorensen’s dissertation is entitled “ Stereoselective Cationic Polymerization: Method Development and Computationally Guided Mechanistic Studies ” and centers around the synthesis of stereoregular polymers through ionic mechanisms using asymmetric ion-pairing (AIP) catalysis, particularly stereoselective cationic polymerization, to present a combined experimental and computational study into relevant factors that determine tacticity and helicity control.

“Over the last one-hundred years synthetic plastics have become critical to nearly every application owing to the vast properties they can access. One chemical parameter that has an acute effect on a plastics’ properties is stereochemistry, which describes its relative orientation in space; however, it is rarely considered. I have developed a framework for controlling a plastics stereochemistry for the synthesis materials for OLED applications, introduced data science strategies for the development of next-generation degradable plastics, and uncovered new physics phenomena for emerging applications in high efficiency alternatives to traditional electronics,” says Sorensen.

We are excited to watch where Cole’s research leads and can’t wait to see where his explorations take him next.

To see more of the Dissertation Awardees from 2024, along with other notable UNC graduate student awards for this year, please visit the Graduate Student Website below.

Celebrating the Winners of the Earl and Barbara Baughman Dissertation Research Award

By Patricia Spillane

We are delighted to announce that Jillian Battista, Jimmy Capella, and Madison McCall are the esteemed recipients of this year’s Earl and Barbara Baughman Dissertation Research Award. This prestigious award is presented annually to outstanding graduate student researchers within our department, acknowledging their innovative dissertation research.

The Earl and Barbara Baughman Dissertation Award underscores our department’s commitment to supporting advanced graduate students who are in the crucial stages of their dissertation projects. By enabling them to focus exclusively on their research over the summer, the award alleviates the need to seek other employment, ensuring that our brightest scholars can devote their full attention to making significant academic contributions.

This year, the department has allocated three awards to assist our recipients as they push towards the completion of their transformative research projects. This investment in our students’ future is not only a testament to their hard work and potential but also a tribute to the legacy of Earl and Barbara Baughman’s dedication to academic excellence.

For more details about the application process or future deadlines, please contact Dr. Charlie Wiss. Let us extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jillian, Jimmy, and Madison . We eagerly anticipate the impactful research outcomes their work will bring to our community and the broader field.

2024 GrADUATE Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award

Deadline: May 27, 2024

Contact: Julie Green for more information

Nomination Form

Only the very best research dissertations are picked each year for the Graduate Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award.  This award is presented by the Graduate School to recognize outstanding research and scholarship by a doctoral student at UNC Charlotte. CRITERIA: F ield s of Competition :

~ Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering : Mathematics, statistics, computer sciences, data processing, systems analysis, chemistry, earth sciences, physics, geology, meteorology, astronomy, metallurgy, geophysics, pharmaceutical chemistry; aeronautical, architectural, biomedical, ceramic, chemical, civil, and electrical engineering sciences; environmental health engineering; geological, mechanical, mining, nuclear, and petroleum engineering.  ~ Social Sciences : agricultural economics, geography, anthropology, archaeology, economics, education, sociology, government (political science), demography, and psychology. Please note that for purposes of this competition, history is classed within the humanities and is not a field of competition this year. 

**If a dissertation is multi or interdisciplinary in nature, a significant portion of the work must be comprised by at least one of the 2024 fields of competition. 

Competitors must be nominated by a faculty member. To be considered, applicants must have completed their doctoral degree requirements and dissertation during a period of J uly 1, 2022 - June 30 2024 , inclusive.

Nomination Process: 1 . An abstract of the nominee’s dissertation (not to exceed five double-spaced pages). Appendices containing non-textual material, such as charts or tables, may be included as additional pages.  All pages should be numbered, and each should bear the name of the nominee.  2. Three letters of recommendation evaluating the significance and quality of the nominee’s dissertation work. One of these letters is to be from the nominee's dissertation supervisor, another from a member of the nominee's dissertation committee, and the third from a person of the nominee's choice. 3. The nominee’s curriculum vitae (not to exceed five pages). 

NOTE: The nomination package must be sent as a single pdf document with the file saved as: last name of the nominee and institution (i.e Green_UNCC) and emailed to [email protected] no later than May 27, 2024. Please indicate the field of competition in the subject line. 

AWARD: $ 1,000 and an engraved plaque.

*Nominees may be considered for the CGS award and be eligible for an award of $2,000 and a certificate of recognition, which will be presented at Award Information Two CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards, each consisting of an award of $2,000 and a certificate of recognition, will be presented at the CGS Annual Meeting Awards Luncheon in December 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri. Reasonable travel expenses of award recipients will be covered. Only the winners and the nominating deans will be notified of the outcomes of the competition prior to the Awards Luncheon. 

Selection Process:

T he nominated dissertations should represent original work making an unusually significant contribution to the disciplines. Both methodological and substantive quality will be judged.

A ceremony to honor outstanding students, faculty and staff for achievements in academic endeavors and exceptional leadership through involvement in campus life, student governance and community service.

2024 Student Academic Awards

THE PETER C. BAXTER MEMORIAL PRIZE IN AMERICAN STUDIES

Recipient: lindley andrew.

Established in 1972, this award honors the outstanding senior in the Department of American Studies. Presented in memory of Peter Baxter, a student of American Studies, the prize is awarded to the undergraduate in that discipline who best exemplifies Mr. Baxter’s intellectual excellence, personal warmth, and contribution to the American Studies Program.

“Lindley is a remarkable student who tackles controversial and painful topics with keen intellect and deep human compassion. She is dedicated to using her talents in American Studies, Latin American Studies, and Spanish language studies to advance the interests of underserved communities.”

THE BERNARD BOYD MEMORIAL PRIZE

Recipient: christina georgiou.

This award was established in 1979 by the Department of Religious Studies in memory of Bernard Boyd, James A. Gray Professor of Biblical Literature from 1950 to 1975. A monetary prize is presented annually to the member of the senior class majoring in Religious Studies who has been selected by a faculty committee as most outstanding in academic achievement.

“Beyond achieving a stellar GPA, Christina distinguished herself in every single class for her sophisticated reading of difficult texts, perceptive contributions to class discussions, thoughtful engagement with difficult topics, and unflagging intellectual curiosity.”

THE GEORGE C. MARSHALL AWARD

Recipient: can tunceli.

Established in 1976, this award honors Army General George C. Marshall. General Marshall formulated the Marshall Plan and was the only soldier to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is presented to the senior Army cadet who excels in professional excellence, leadership, scholarship, personal integrity and selfless service to the nation.

“It’s Can’s selfless service, dedication to others, and demonstrated leadership skills that led to him receiving this award. He is a Peace, War, and Defense Major, the Army ROTC Cadet Battalion Commander, Captain of the Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team, and a member of the UNC Club Rugby team.”

THE ARCHIBALD HENDERSON MATHEMATICS MEDAL

Recipient: abel abraham.

The Major William B. Cain Award was established in 1908, and its name was changed in 1931 to the Archibald Henderson Mathematics Medal. A medal may be presented annually to the undergraduate judged by the Department of Mathematics to have demonstrated both a high degree of mathematical ability and the greatest promise of originality in the field.

“Abel began groundbreaking research as a 16 year-old freshman, authoring papers that are under review in prestigious journals such as Physical Review X and Nature Physics. He was awarded the Lucas Scholars Fellowship, Abrams Scholarship, and Johnson Scholars Summer Internship and leads UNC’s Helping Hand Project as President and Design Chair.”

THE WALLACE RAY PEPPERS AWARD IN PERFORMANCE OF AFRICAN AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE

Recipient: sydney van buren.

This award was established in 1987 in honor of a professor in the Department of Communication. His teaching in the field of African and African-American literature and personal influence and example inspired his students in academic and cultural endeavors. It is given annually to the junior or senior in that department who is judged by a faculty committee to be most outstanding in performance of African and African-American literature.

“Sydney has excelled as a performance studies student, showcasing vitality, intelligence, and skill in her work. From her chilling interpretation of Robert Hayden’s poem “Night, Death, Mississippi” to her current honors thesis, “Imposter: The Dancing Body,” she demonstrates an extraordinary exploration of Hip Hop, intersectional identity, and dance, integrating African American authors, artists, and historians into her performances.”

THE JACQUES HARDRÉ UNDERGRADUATE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FRENCH

Recipient: madeleine genova.

Established in 1989, this certificate and monetary prize are presented annually by the Department of Romance Languages to an undergraduate whose work in French language and literature has been judged most outstanding by a faculty committee. It was established in honor of Jacques Hardré, past Chair of the Department of Romance Languages.

“Madeleine, a double major in Computer Science and French & Francophone Studies, has thrived in UNC’s Romance Studies. Colleagues commend her engagement with course materials, adeptness in class discussions, and ability to energize groups with concise, thoughtful remarks.”

THE STERLING A. STOUDEMIRE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SPANISH

Recipient: alexa tomlinson.

This certificate and monetary prize are awarded annually to a senior who has excelled in Spanish. It was established in 1974 by friends and former students of Sterling Aubrey Stoudemire in recognition of his fifty years as a teacher of Spanish and other services to the University, including Chair of the Department of Romance Languages and Chairman of the Faculty Committee on Buildings and Grounds.

“Alexa has completed a major in Hispanic Linguistics, a minor in Translation and Interpretation, and has a second major in Geology. During her time at UNC, she worked with children at Juntos NC, as a peer tutor in Spanish, and as resident advisor in which she collarborated on a program of intercultural competence, development, and wellness.”

THE RIA STAMBAUGH UNDERGRADUATE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN GERMAN

Recipient: melanie altenkirch.

Established in 1987, this award recognizes the graduating senior who has achieved the most distinguished academic record in German language and literature. This prize is awarded by the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures, and is made possible by memorial contributions of friends and relatives of Ria Stambaugh, Professor of German from 1963 to 1984.

“Melanie secured a competitive German-American Exchange internship with Swagelok in 2022, utilizing her majors in German and Environmental Science. Selected as a DAAD Young Ambassador in 2023, she promotes UNC study abroad opportunities in Germany, while also actively contributing to departmental events and serving as treasurer of the German Club.”

THE CAMÕES PRIZE IN PORTUGUESE

Recipient: marcos gregorio.

The Camões Prize in Portuguese is awarded annually to the outstanding undergraduate in Portuguese. This prize was established in 1975 with a grant from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon.

“Marcos is a junior who has been a very active participant in not only many Portuguese classes, but also in all of the department’s outside-of-class Portuguese activities. He is adored by his peers and his class work is always among the very top.”

THE MARY TURNER LANE AWARD IN WOMEN’S AND GENDER STUDIES

Recipient: elizabeth belter.

This award honors a senior, from any discipline, judged by the faculty in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies to have made an outstanding contribution through original scholarship and/or creative production on gender and feminist issues. Its purpose is to further academic research in the expanding field of Women’s and Gender Studies, which was established on the campus in 1978 by Mary Turner Lane, a tireless feminist, advocate, and educator.

“Elizabeth’s senior capstone essay delves into the challenges of applying body positivity in eating disorder treatment for transgender individuals, proposing body neutrality as a potentially more suitable approach. Drawing from diverse fields including social work, psychology, and women’s and gender studies, Elizabeth’s work has been described as “an insightful feminist project.””

THE PAUL DEBRECZENY PRIZE IN SLAVIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

Recipient: aden keating laws.

This award, established in 1999, is presented to the graduating senior whose work in Russian or Slavic language, literature and culture is judged most outstanding by the Slavic and East European faculty of the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures. The prize honors the late Professor Paul Debreczeny, a founding member of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, which merged with the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures in 2011. Professor Debreczeny was deeply committed to quality undergraduate education.

“Aden’s exceptional aptitude for Germanic and Slavic languages, coupled with his leadership within the Department of Germanic and Slavic languages, is unparalleled. He revitalized Carolina’s Slavic Club and has been instrumental in organizing various extracurricular activities. Aden is an enterprising and ethical thinker whose thirst for knowledge has taken him around the world.”

THE L. RICHARDSON PREYER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Recipient: rosa elias.

Established in 2002, this award is given to a senior judged by a committee of the faculty to have established the most distinguished record of scholarship in Political Science and service to the community.

“Rosa has served as president of Students United for Immigrant Equality for nearly three years, has mentored Carolina Covenant students, and has volunteered at polls in multiple election cycles. She is currently writing an honors thesis on Latinx representation in the US, and for two years worked as a research assistant, collecting data on protest movements in the US.”

THE ROBERT B. HOUSE MEMORIAL PRIZE IN POETRY

Recipient: amelia loeffler.

This award in poetry honors the first chancellor of the University, a writer and friend of the literary arts. A cash prize is presented annually to a graduating senior who has done distinguished work in poetry. The recipient is selected by faculty members in the Creative Writing Program.

“Amelia is double majoring in Geography and English and Comparative Literature, with a minor in Creative Writing. Like the other students in her two-semester senior Honors in Poetry Writing class, she just completed a thousand-line book-length thesis collection of original poems: with a lively voice and variety of formal approaches, her collection abounded in compelling poetry.”

THE PATRICK F. EAREY AWARD

Recipient: corinna collins.

Established by the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, the award honors the late Patrick Earey, a distinguished member of its faculty. Dr. Earey taught in the department from 1957 to 1987 and served as varsity swim coach from 1957 to 1975. This award is given to a member of the graduating class who has exhibited outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and leadership. The recipient is selected by a committee of faculty members and students from the department.

“Corinna is an excellent student and leader. She has a passion for the sports industry and provides consistent service to others in many roles. Corinna also won and excelled in a competitive, national internship.”

The Undergraduate Award in Economics

Recipient: aidan buehler.

This award has been established by the Department of Economics to honor excellence in economic studies. It is given annually to the undergraduate majoring in economics that is judged to be the most outstanding based on performance in major and related courses.

“Aidan is an exceptional student who has excelled in both undergraduate and graduate classes. He has received and accepted a pre-doc position at the prestigious BFI Predoctoral Research in Economics Program at the University of Chicago, reflecting both his passion for and competence in empirical economics research.”

THE UNDERGRADUATE PRIZE IN ART HISTORY

Recipient: hope mutter.

This award was established in 1979 by the Department of Art. It is given annually to the undergraduate who, in the opinion of a faculty committee, has done the most outstanding work in art history.

“In addition to her superb performance in all her classes, Hope authored a Senior Honors Thesis in Art History, focusing on political art by US women artists associated with the Taller de Gráfica Popular in Mexico City during the 1940s. She received the Allcott Travel Fellowship for independent research in Bogotá, Colombia, presented at the Spring 2023 Art and Art History Undergraduate Honors Symposium, and actively engages in campus radio hosting and volunteering as an ESL tutor.”

Recipient: Mackie Tate Tygart

“A double major in Art History and Peace, War, and Defense Studies, Mackie has impressed her professors as being a smart, thoughtful, and articulate young scholar. In Art History classes she consistently gave polished presentations, wrote excellent papers, and was always a strong leader in group projects.”

THE McNALLY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN GEOGRAPHY

This award, a monetary prize and an international atlas, is given annually to a graduating senior who is selected by the geography faculty based on superior academic performance. The award was established by Andrew McNally IV, Class of 1963.

“Amelia received a SURF Fellowship to study tourism and rural gentrification in Eastern Kentucky, is a research assistant in the Freshwater Ecology and Biochemistry Lab, and an intern for the Southern Oral History Project. She is also a staff member for the Cellar Door Literary Magazine and volunteers for TABLE and Habitat for Humanity.”

THE HAMPTON SHUPING PRIZE

Recipient: andy jin.

The Hampton Shuping Prize shall be given to the graduating senior at UNC-Chapel Hill who is the outstanding undergraduate majoring in business, not only in academic achievement, but in integrity, honor and leadership potential; who shows concern for ethical management of the American business enterprise; and who respects the labor and the commitment of the individual as instrumental to the success of the organization and the free enterprise system.

“Andy excels academically as a double major in Business and Economics while also leading numerous student organizations and serving as an Ambassador for the STAR Program. His empathetic, resilient, and visionary leadership style has set a new standard at Kenan-Flagler, making him an exemplary student and leader.”

THE HOWARD W. ODUM UNDERGRADUATE SOCIOLOGY AWARD

Recipient: halley zhang.

This award was established in 1968 in memory of Howard W. Odum, who founded the Department of Sociology. The award is presented annually to the senior who is judged most outstanding by the department’s faculty on the basis of academic performance.

“In addition to her outstanding performance in the classroom, Halley is an exceptionally talented and dedicated researcher. She conducted multiple independent research projects, including summer research on the relationship between social status and college major, and a senior’s honor thesis that explores the significant impact of COVID-19 disruptions on the work-life balance of educators in higher education settings.”

THE LOUIS D. RUBIN, JR. PRIZE IN CREATIVE WRITING

Recipient: delaney phelps.

Established in 1987, this award honors a distinguished professor emeritus of English and scholar of southern American literature whose work with talented undergraduates in creative writing was widely appreciated. A monetary award is presented annually to the outstanding fiction writer in the senior class.

“Majoring in English and Comparative Literature with double minors in American Indian and Indigenous Studies and Creative Writing, Delaney is currently engaged in completing her senior Honors in Fiction through a collection of short stories. Her outstanding work ethic, demonstrated in both her writing endeavors and collaborative peer critiques, has earned her this award.”

THE PAUL E. SHEARIN OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD IN PHYSICS

Recipient: andrew hanan mattson.

This award, established by W.E. Haisley, Professor Emeritus of Physics, honors Paul E. Shearin, Professor of Physics, member of the faculty for 36 years, and for 12 years Chairman of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. A monetary award is given to the member of the senior class majoring in Physics who is judged most outstanding on criteria of scholarship, scientific insight and professional seriousness. The recipient is selected by the departmental faculty from candidates nominated by the undergraduate major advisors.

“Andrew’s exceptional academic performance, dedication to education, and community involvement led to him receiving this award. Alongside his academic accomplishments, he has contributed significantly as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant and founder of UNC-Trash Force, fostering both campus cleanliness and social connectivity among students.”

THE MARC ADAM EISDORFER AWARD IN LINGUISTICS

Recipient: annika marie herlant.

This award was established in 1988 by Sandra Eisdorfer in memory of her son, Marc Adam Eisdorfer, a graduate of the class of 1984. It recognizes the senior or seniors judged most outstanding in academic achievement in Linguistics.

“Annika shines as a bright and engaged student, actively participating in class, lab groups, and extracurricular activities such as Underling and the Computational Linguistics Open competition. Her remarkable contributions to Field Methods and other courses, coupled with outstanding written work and progress on her honors thesis, demonstrate her exceptional dedication and talent.”

Recipient: Emma Wrenn

“Emma is an outstanding student in her linguistics classes. Her professors appreciate her enthusiasm for the subject, sharp questions and observations, and her eagerness to write elicitations on the board in Field Methods.”

THE ALBERT SUSKIN PRIZE IN LATIN

Recipient: bradley sadowsky.

Established in 1966 by his colleagues and friends, this award is in memory of Albert I. Suskin, Professor of Latin from 1953 to 1965 and Chairman of the Department of Classics from 1960 to 1965. A monetary award is offered annually to the undergraduate who shows the best ability to understand Latin poetry and to translate selected passages at sight.

“A senior majoring in Comparative Literature and minoring in Latin and German, Bradley receives this awarded today for his exceptional performance in the Latin competition, displaying a fluently poetic translation with minimal errors and an insightful essay demonstrating a deep understanding of the genre and its connections to other works.”

THE EBEN ALEXANDER PRIZE IN GREEK

Recipient: keith theisen.

Established in 1887, this award is bestowed by the family of Dr. Eben Alexander, Sr. A monetary award is presented annually to the undergraduate who, in the opinion of the faculty of the Classics Department, presents the best rendering into English of selected passages of Greek not previously read.

“Keith shows impressive command of Greek vocabulary and grammar, attending to subtle niceties of expression as well as grand rhetorical features. The two translated passages used to judge this award were each challenging in their own ways, and Keith demonstrated an ability to maintain not only the logical sense, but the rhetorical force of the original Greek.”

 THE VENABLE MEDAL

Recipient: meredith haven daughtridge.

The Venable Medal was established in 1955 by Rho Chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma and is presented annually by members of that professional chemistry fraternity to the two most outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry. Two medals are awarded. The selection of one recipient is based on scholastic and academic work within the chemistry program. The other is based on outstanding academic work, character, and outstanding contributions to the University community and to chemistry. The awards bear the name of Francis Preston Venable, chemistry professor from 1880 to 1930 and president of the University from 1900 to 1914.

“Meredith is an outstanding student who is recognized for her high academic performance and her creativity and innovation as a researcher in the Hicks lab. Faculty note that she has great attention to detail, takes initiative, works highly independently, and exhibits innovation in the research lab.”

Recipient: Maya Groff

“Maya co-founded the STEM Sisters program and serves as its president, is an engaged contributor to Carolina Scientific, and is an active member of the Lawrence research lab. She is recognized as a talented scientist committed to enhancing diversity in STEM.”

THE WORTH AWARD

Recipient: ellie riggsbee.

Established in 1883, this award was given annually in the Department of Philosophy through 1919. Reinstituted in 1977 by the department, this oldest academic award, based on course performance and faculty recommendation, is given for sustained excellence in undergraduate study of philosophy.

“Ellie has demonstrated remarkable passion and talent for philosophy, excelling in class discussions and producing outstanding papers. Additionally, her dedication as a Parr Heel and leadership within the Parr Center community underscore her valuable contributions.”

Recipient: Amery Smith

“Amery’s sincere enthusiasm and curiosity in philosophy classes have impressed instructors, reflected in consistently insightful and creatively written work. Additionally, he is a highly valued member of the undergraduate philosophy community, making significant contributions to the Philosophy Club and beyond.”

THE IRVINE R. HAGADORN AWARD

Recipient: phu nguyen.

Established in 1983, the Hagadorn Award is given to an outstanding rising senior Biology major. The recipient is selected on the basis of academic achievement, excellence in biology research and contributions to the Biology Department. This award was established in honor of Dr. Irvine Hagadorn, former Chair of the Department of Zoology at UNC.

“Phu is given this award based on his academic excellence, exemplary research, and contributions inside and outside the classroom. Phu served as a peer mentor, giving instructional support to faculty and students in Biology and Chemistry and founded Magic in Science, a non-profit organization designed to motivate and inspire under-represented children to discover the world of science.”

THE DONALD T. LYSLE AWARD

Recipient: caroline clodfelter.

This award honors Dr. Donald T. Lysle who served as Chair from 2007-2022. Dr. Lysle completed his B.S., Magna Cum Laude; and Ph.D from the University of Pittsburgh and has been a faculty member at Carolina since 1990. Aside from his great service as Chair of a large department, he is known for his compassion for others. Thus, it is fitting that the award which honors Dr. Lysle is an award which recognizes those who show exceptional concern and service for others.

“Caroline is presented this award for her dedicated support of individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, evident through her leadership in various service organizations such as the TEACH Initiative, Reintegration Support Network, and the Carolina Harm Reduction Union. Additionally, Caroline actively volunteers as a Crisis Text Line Counselor and at UNC Hospitals.”

THE CAZEL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN HISTORY

Recipient: andrew gary.

The Cazel Prize in History recognizes an outstanding senior who has excelled in the study of history, contributed to the life of the History department, and shown a profound commitment to the values of the historical discipline.

“Andrew has made outstanding contributions to the History department’s mission and values. His involvement in various activities, including his honors thesis, instruction, and leadership roles, reflects his commitment as an engaged scholar and ambassador for historical inquiry’s significance in addressing public concerns.”

THE WILLIAM STEVENS POWELL AWARD

Recipient: rob clay.

The William Stevens Powell Award was established in 2002 by the North Caroliniana Society in honor of the Society’s first president, long-time vice-president, and distinguished historian. The award recognizes a student who, during the student’s career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has done the most to develop an interest in, and understanding of, the history and traditions of the nation’s oldest state university. Absent a deserving recipient as so adjudged, the award may be presented to the UNC-CH student who has done the most to develop an interest in, and understanding of, the history of the state of North Carolina. Undergraduate seniors shall be the preferred recipients, but any student duly enrolled in the university who meets the foregoing criteria is eligible for the award. Absent a nominee deemed a meritorious recipient as adjudged by one or more of the foregoing criteria, the Society may forego presentation of the award in a given year._A check for $200.00. an autographed copy of Professor Powell’s book, The First State University, and the winning student’s name engraved on a silver plaque that is housed in Wilson Library constitute the award._

“A Philosophy major, Rob is committed to expanding healthcare access. As a 2023-2024 Zietlow Civic Engagement Scholar and a Public Service Program Coordinator at the Carolina Center for Public Service, Rob aims to provide knowledge and guidance to Chapel Hill’s low-income and marginalized citizens who signed up for Medicare.”

THE GEORGE H. COCOLAS PHARMACY STUDENT BODY AWARD

Recipient: taysir chamem-fomby.

This award was established in 1948 and renamed in 1998 in honor of Dr. George Cocolas, retired associate dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. It recognizes a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the highest qualities of character, deportment, scholarship, professionalism, participation in extracurricular activities, and promise of future distinction in the profession of pharmacy. The award is given by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Student Senate and the recipient is selected by the graduating class. Student Senate and the recipient is selected by the graduating class.

“Taysir was chosen by her peers for her exceptional academic performance, extensive research experience, and strong leadership demonstrated through roles such as Clinical Development Intern at Dermavant Sciences, Inc., National Student Officer in Industry Pharmacists Association, and past president of various pharmacy organizations.”

THE CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES AWARD

Recipient: jim appiah.

This award is given each year to one or more students graduating with the Minor in Entrepreneurship degree of the Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship.  These students will have excellent grades in the courses of the Minor and will also have demonstrated excellence in application of entrepreneurial thinking in practical problem-solving in the social, public health, commercial, media, sports, computation, design, artistic or scientific fields.

“Jim has a passion for creating projects that have a positive impact on humanity. When he had to return to his home in Ghana during Covid, he founded his first entrepreneurial venture, Focus Group Companies, whose mission is to provide job opportunities for African youth and to make Africa sufficient in food. Jim is currently involved in “Project 2030” whose goal is to provide meat for every person in West Africa by 2030.”

The Alexander Julian Prize

Recipient: joseph gu.

Fashion designer Alexander Julian, Class of 1969, established this award in 1985. The art department gives the award to an undergraduate student exhibiting an outstanding sense of design, which the faculty interprets as a mature integration of formal issues and content. The award is given to the undergraduate who the faculty believes has done the most outstanding work in studio art.

“Joseph’s interdisciplinary approach as a Studio Art and Biology double major is evident in his impactful work exploring cultural and political themes through photography and printmaking, particularly his research on 1990s China, showcasing his dedication to excellence and innovation in artistic expression and scholarly inquiry.”

• Victor Mukhin

Victor M. Mukhin was born in 1946 in the town of Orsk, Russia. In 1970 he graduated the Technological Institute in Leningrad. Victor M. Mukhin was directed to work to the scientific-industrial organization "Neorganika" (Elektrostal, Moscow region) where he is working during 47 years, at present as the head of the laboratory of carbon sorbents.     Victor M. Mukhin defended a Ph. D. thesis and a doctoral thesis at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia (in 1979 and 1997 accordingly). Professor of Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. Scientific interests: production, investigation and application of active carbons, technological and ecological carbon-adsorptive processes, environmental protection, production of ecologically clean food.   

Title : Active carbons as nanoporous materials for solving of environmental problems

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Doctoral Student Jayla Moody Marshall Wins Chancellor’s Creating Community Outstanding Student Award

When Jayla Moody Marshall — a student in the Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development higher education opportunity, equity, and justice concentration — chose the NC State College of Education for her doctoral degree, she knew the program would help her achieve her goal of designing higher education environments where everyone knows they belong and matter. 

A commitment to creating more equitable environments for students in higher education has been a passion of Marshall’s throughout her educational career. Now that commitment has been recognized with the NC State Chancellor’s Creating Community Outstanding Student Award. 

“I am deeply grateful for the honor of receiving the Outstanding Student Award. Community is one of the cornerstones of my work, and I have found joy in cultivating, fostering and uplifting communities here at NC State and beyond,” Marshall said. “I have found my purpose in ensuring students feel seen, heard and supported. It is why I chose higher education, and it is why I will continue to choose and prioritize the experiences of the students I am privileged to work with and serve.”

In nominating her for the award, Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professors of Higher Education Alyssa Rockenbach and Joy Gaston Gayles cited Marshall’s ability to draw on her scholarship to design opportunities for students in the Higher Education Administration master’s degree program and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development higher education opportunity, equity, and justice concentration and support prospective students by facilitating recruitment events, helping them find graduate assistantships and fellowships, and planning orientation and social events for admitted students. 

“Our master’s and doctoral students alike know they can turn to Jayla for mentorship and guidance along their graduate journeys,” the nomination letter said. “She anticipates what we need to do to maintain a program culture that reflects deep investment in and care for students; because of Jayla’s myriad contributions, we are becoming a humanizing graduate community defined by a commitment to educational equity and human thriving.”

The nomination letter also cited Marshall’s work as a graduate student representative for the Council on Ethnic Participation for the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) as well as her experience in student success and teaching

As she helps fellow students, Marshall said her time in the College of Education has enabled her to learn, teach, give presentations, host student events and recruit future students and, as a result, prepare to take on the next step in her career.  “I have gained skills that will set me up to thrive regardless of the ventures I take on throughout my career, and it is something I hope my future work inspires others to do. The beautiful thing about purpose-filled work is that it matters even on hard and frustrating days, and someone needs it,” she said. “I also want to thank my faculty support system — Dr. Joy Gaston Gayles , my dissertation chair and champion; Dr. Krispin Barr, who has modeled servant-leadership for me in the most intentional ways; Dr. Alyssa Rockenbach , who makes room for me to show up authentically as myself and do work that matters to me, and Dr. Keon McGuire who has served as a true mentor and supporter since joining our team last year.”

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More From College of Education News

Education Council's 2024 Spotlight Awards Reception Celebrates Undergraduate Student Success 

Assistant Professor of Learning, Design, and Technology Ela Castellanos-Reyes Wins May Kay Sommers Dissertation Award from Purdue University  

RTNN Wins 2024 Opal Mann Green Engagement and Scholarship Award 

Current time by city

For example, New York

Current time by country

For example, Japan

Time difference

For example, London

For example, Dubai

Coordinates

For example, Hong Kong

For example, Delhi

For example, Sydney

Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

City coordinates

Coordinates of Elektrostal in decimal degrees

Coordinates of elektrostal in degrees and decimal minutes, utm coordinates of elektrostal, geographic coordinate systems.

WGS 84 coordinate reference system is the latest revision of the World Geodetic System, which is used in mapping and navigation, including GPS satellite navigation system (the Global Positioning System).

Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) define a position on the Earth’s surface. Coordinates are angular units. The canonical form of latitude and longitude representation uses degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″). GPS systems widely use coordinates in degrees and decimal minutes, or in decimal degrees.

Latitude varies from −90° to 90°. The latitude of the Equator is 0°; the latitude of the South Pole is −90°; the latitude of the North Pole is 90°. Positive latitude values correspond to the geographic locations north of the Equator (abbrev. N). Negative latitude values correspond to the geographic locations south of the Equator (abbrev. S).

Longitude is counted from the prime meridian ( IERS Reference Meridian for WGS 84) and varies from −180° to 180°. Positive longitude values correspond to the geographic locations east of the prime meridian (abbrev. E). Negative longitude values correspond to the geographic locations west of the prime meridian (abbrev. W).

UTM or Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system divides the Earth’s surface into 60 longitudinal zones. The coordinates of a location within each zone are defined as a planar coordinate pair related to the intersection of the equator and the zone’s central meridian, and measured in meters.

Elevation above sea level is a measure of a geographic location’s height. We are using the global digital elevation model GTOPO30 .

Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia