May 7, 2021
Division of Biology presents annual awards to outstanding graduate students
The Division of Biology recognizes the winners of its annual awards presented for excellence in research, teaching and presentation.
Rachel Keen received the James E. Ackert Award for Outstanding Presentation at the 46th annual Graduate Research Forum. Keen's presentation was titled "Woody Encroachment Impacts on Watershed-Scale Water Fluxes in Tallgrass Prairie." This award is given to a graduate student who has been in the Division of Biology for less than two years.
Emily Burghardt received the Henley Haymaker Award for Outstanding Presentation at the 46th annual Graduate Research Forum. Burghardt's presentation was titled "Analysis of the Drosophila Border Cell Gene Expression Profile Reveals Stage-Specific Changes During Migration." This award is given to a graduate student who has been in the Division of Biology for two or more years.
Emily Wedel received the John C. Frazier Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Research in Plant Science. Wedel is a second-year doctoral student who uses physiological and population-level techniques to understand mechanisms of tree establishment and expansion in grasslands and savannas. This award is given based on superior graduate student research in plant science, including a presentation given at the annual Graduate Research Forum.
Dalton Dacus received the L. Evans Roth Award for Graduate Student Research in Cellular, Molecular or Developmental Biology. Dacus is a fourth-year doctoral student who uses molecular biology techniques to identify mechanisms by which beta human papillomavirus promotes genome destabilization. This award is based on superior graduate student research in cell, molecular or developmental biology, including a presentation given at the annual Graduate Research Forum.
Seton Bachle received the Chris Edler Award for Outstanding Research on Konza. Bachle successfully defended his dissertation in spring 2021 and is being recognized for his research on how plant ecophysiological responses are influenced by micro-anatomical traits as well as his enthusiasm for teaching and general involvement in Konza Prairie activities.
Elizabeth Renner received the Robert J. Robel Graduate Student Award in Wildlife Biology and Ecology. Renner is a fourth-year doctoral student who is investigating the trophic dynamics of small impoundment food webs through replicated whole-lake manipulations. This award recognizes significant research contributions in the area of wildlife biology and ecology.
Elizabeth Wilson received the Michael Scott Watkins Teaching Award. Wilson is a third-year doctoral student who is being recognized for her outstanding teaching contributions through the laboratory sections of Organismic Biology — BIOL 401, Evolution — BIOL 520 and Ichthyology — BIOL 542.