Each year at commencement, we recognize our undergraduate students for their accomplishments in academics and in research.
The 2024 Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Commencement Awards were presented to our students at the department’s annual commencement ceremony. Congratulations to all the recipients!
We are incredibly grateful to our donors whose generous gifts make these awards possible!
ACS Award for Outstanding Senior in Biochemistry or Chemical Biology
Kyle Anderson (C. Clarke group)
ACS Award for Outstanding Senior in Inorganic Chemistry
Michael Pung (Liu group)
ACS Award for Outstanding Senior in Organic Chemistry
Ruthy Shin (Harran group)
ACS Award for Outstanding Senior in Physical Chemistry
Lauren Vuong (P. Weiss group)
American Institute of Chemists Commencement Award
Morgan Gee (Yeates group)
Arthur Furst Commencement Award
This annual award honors chemistry or biochemistry majors who have done outstanding laboratory research projects.
John “Jack” Cokas (Alexandrova group)
Clarence Ernest Gresser Commencement Prize
This award was established in 2021 by Physical Sciences Board member Dr. Mike Gresser in honor of his father Clarence Ernest Gresser.
Etoile (Annie) Wilson (not pictured)
Daniel E. Atkinson and Charles A. West Commencement Prize in Metabolic Biochemistry
This award honors Professors Daniel Atkinson and Charles West for their significant contributions to biochemistry at UCLA, their valued mentorship, and their impact on the research community and education.
Bella Wachter (S. Clarke group)
Don C. Atkins Commencement Prize
Brock Hosier (Maynard group)
Evelyn Pan Commencement Prize
Established by Walter and Shirley Wang, this award honors Shirley’s mother, Evelyn Pan.
Mark Munteanu (Kaner group), Songrong “Jeff” Qu (Rodriguez group), and Mabel Song (Clubb group)
Geissman Commencement Award
This award honors Professor Theodore (Ted) Geissman, an organic chemistry faculty member who passed away in 1978.
Angel Lima Hernandez (Tolbert group), Linnea Shu (Tolbert group), and Michael Sun (Schmitt group)
Ramsey Commencement Award
These awards honor Professor Emeritus James Blaine Ramsey (1892-1965) and are awarded to outstanding undergraduate students in the UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
Steven Pham (Walker group), Rafael Valle (Schmitt group), and Emma Villinski (Tolbert group)
Dr. Ravi and Aparna Bikkina Family Commencement Award
These scholarships were established in 2017 by Dr. Ravi ’94 and Aparna Bikkina to support scholarships for chemistry and biochemistry students.
Akash Jain (C. Clarke group)
Raymond and Dorothy Wilson Commencement Award for Excellence in Academics
These awards were established by alumnus Raymond A. Wilson (’43) and his wife Dorothy as a tribute to the UCLA chemistry professors who, more than seventy years ago, had such a profound impact on Raymond when he was a bright young chemistry student.
Tiffany Xiu Lien, Yidou Long, Silvi Rose Lybbert,and Harrison Sihan Wang
Robert E. Biskowski Chemistry Commencement Prize
This scholarship was established in 2019 by the Estate of Geraldine Biskowski.
Leo Morag (Diaconescu group)
RSC Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence Commencement Award
Maya Vasisht (Diaconescu group)
Susan Elizabeth Baumgarten Award for Excellence in Science Education
Susan Baumgarten (B.S.’ 73, M.S.’ 76, M.B.A. ’79) established this award in 2019 to support chemistry and biochemistry undergraduate students.
Meena Khan, Gabriel Nitro, Zeriel Wong, and Bonnie Yuan
The Dolores Cannon Southam Commencement Award
This award is named in memory of Dolores Cannon Southam, who as a UCLA undergraduate worked for Professor Chris Foote. In honor of Dolores, this award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in research.
Enrico Arambulo (Koehler group), Zachary Lamm (Schmitt group),and Rachel Ma (P. Weiss group). Not pictured: Rhett Farmer (Koehler group)
The Maria Rebecca and Maureen Bellettini Commencement Award
Established in 2019 by the Bellettini family, this award recognizes outstanding undergraduate students studying chemistry in the department.
Katherine Bogue (Quinlan group), Laura Deist (Schmitt group), Nika Gladkov (Sletten group), Isabella Mochado (Liu group), Kimberly Vasquez (Diaconescu group), and Ashley Vergara Mendez (Sletten group).
The Department is extremely grateful to our generous donors and alumni whose support makes these many awards programs possible.
To contribute to our student departmental award funds or to establish a new named award or fellowship, please contact the Chair’s office, chair@chem.ucla.edu, (310) 825-3958. Your gift of any size will directly impact one of our world-class students and aspiring scientists!
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penny@chem.ucla.edu.
