EEB Announces 2025 Graduate Student Award Recipients

2025 Robert W. Hoshaw Memorial Recipients

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) at the University of Arizona is delighted to announce the recipients of prestigious departmental and college-level awards recognizing the outstanding achievements of its graduate students. 

This year, the Robert W. Hoshaw Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Michael McKibben and Austin Cruz. This scholarship honors graduate students demonstrating significant promise and accomplishment within the field of ecology and evolutionary biology. Further details regarding the Hoshaw Memorial Scholarship are available at https://eeb.arizona.edu/hoshaw_scholarship.

The department also proudly announces the EEB recipients selected for the annual College of Science Outstanding Graduate Student Awards. These students are recognized for their exceptional contributions and serve as the department's nominees for the college-wide awards in their respective categories:

    Outstanding Scholarship Award: Austin Cruz
          Recognized for outstanding research publications, presentations at scientific meetings, and awarded scholarships.
    Outstanding Teaching Award: Leah Veldhuisen
          Honored for teaching and mentoring that significantly exceeds expectations, positive student feedback, and innovation in course development.
    Outstanding Service Award: Anthony Dant
          Acknowledged for impactful involvement in activities benefiting the department, university, and the broader community beyond academic duties.

Additionally, the department recognized the EEB recipients selected for the annual College of Science Galileo Circle Scholars. The Galileo Circle awards scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional potential in their respective fields. This EEB recipients for this year are:

   Rebecca Bland
   Anthony Dant
   Savannah Fuqua
   Ulises Hernandez Martin del Campo
   Samantha King
   Mruthyunjay Kubendran Sumathi
   SoRi La
   Addison Lander
   Tung Phung

"We are incredibly proud to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of these students," said Mike Barker, Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Department Head. "Their dedication to groundbreaking research, excellence in teaching, and commitment to service embodies the spirit of EEB. These awards highlight the caliber of our graduate students and their significant contributions to our academic community and beyond."

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona is committed to fostering a dynamic learning and research environment, advancing understanding of the biological world from genetic mechanisms to global ecosystems.