The Graduate Division is proud to announce the winners of the annual Graduate Division Mentoring Awards. This year, nine graduate students are honored for their commitment to providing the essential scaffolding for research excellence at UC Santa Barbara in their roles supervising and mentoring undergraduate students.
“Graduate students are among the most influential teachers, mentors, and role models on our campus, and these award recipients exemplify the very best of that tradition,” said Janine M. Jones, Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Affairs and Anne and Michael Towbes Graduate Dean.”Representing a remarkable breadth of disciplines, these graduate student mentors embody the collaborative spirit of research and discovery that defines our university. We are incredibly proud to recognize these outstanding graduate students for their dedication to developing the next generation of scholars, innovators, and changemakers."
Lexxus Edison, an English PhD Candidate pursuing an emphasis in Black Studies, is the sole recipient of this year’s Carol Genetti Graduate Mentoring Award, recognizing graduate student mentors in the social sciences, education, humanities, and fine arts. Receiving the Graduate Division Mentoring Award in the fields of social sciences and humanities are Sara Tyberg, a PhD student in Sociology; Jon Charry, a Philosophy graduate student; and Karla Vazquez, an MA/PhD candidate in Communication.
Five students in the STEM fields received the Fiona and Michael Goodchild Graduate Mentoring Award this year for their mentorship—Parker Carlson, a PhD student in Computer Science; Renata Dos Reis Marques, a PhD candidate in Bioengineering; Livia Costa Machado, a Geography PhD student; Elle Murata, a PhD candidate in Neuroscience/Psychological & Brain Sciences; and Indra Boving, a PhD student in Electrical Engineering.
Each awardee receives a $1,000 prize in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Selections are made by a subcommittee formed by the Academic Senate Graduate Council.
“It is a joy to celebrate graduate students who not only pour themselves into their own academic journeys, but who also take the time to invest in the growth of those around them,” said Anna Theogarajan, Director of Graduate Professional Development. “They lead by example, fostering confidence, sharing their research skills and a sense of belonging among undergraduate students in our academic community. It's this kindness and generous nature that is a true reflection of the professionals they are becoming, and we are grateful for the care and dedication they bring to mentoring. It is an honor to recognize them.”