STEM Symposium Awards — 2025
On June 13, 2025, the School of STEM hosted the spring undergraduate STEM Symposium for students to showcase their research and work from the school year across all four STEM divisions: Biological Sciences, Computing & Software Systems, Engineering & Mathematics, and Physical Sciences.
Bringing together innovation, excellence, and impact, the School of STEM held its 2nd annual award recognition ceremony, applauding students, faculty, and community partners who exemplify our dedication to solving the pressing problems and confronting challenges that shape our communities, region, nation, and world.
Today, we come together to recognize those who have gone above and beyond, those who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, DEIJ values, innovation, service, and a deep commitment to their disciplines and communities. These awards are more than just honors; they reflect the values we hold dear in the School of STEM.
Jennifer McLoud-Mann, dean, School of STEM
Faculty awards
Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed UW Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship Award
In recognition of outstanding contributions in undergraduate research mentorship, broadening participation from underserved communities and inspiring the next generation of UW Bothell School of STEM graduates to make a positive impact in their broader community and the world.
Recipient: Dr. Afra Mashhadi, assistant professor, Computing & Software Systems Division
Michelle Gamboa created this endowment in honor of her father, Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa. Discover the story behind the STEM faculty fellowship Michelle founded and find out how you can establish a fellowship to support the next generation of STEM leaders.
Philanthropic recognition
Scott Grosenick — a proud “Double Dawg,” earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Computing & Software Systems here at UW Bothell in 2000 and 2012 — has created an endowment that will make a lasting impact for generations of students to come.
Read more about Grosenick in a UW Bothell article, Inspired by computer science rockstars.
This year, we were able to recognize and celebrate student excellence in an exceptional way, awarding our student honorees a monetary prize made possible by the generous support of Dr. Sheree Wen.
In addition to this support, generous donors came together last year to help fund undergraduate research scholarships for summer 2025. These scholarships open doors for students to engage in meaningful experiential learning, work closely with faculty mentors, and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world research that prepares them for their future careers.
We are deeply grateful for our donors’ thoughtfulness and generosity to the School of STEM — a testament to the strength of our community and the lifelong connection our graduates and community partners feel to UW Bothell.
Computing & Software Systems (CSS) awards
CSS Best Poster
In recognition of the best Computing & Software Systems (CSS) Division poster presentation during the Capstone Colloquium.
Recipients:
- Spring 2025: Sarah Anderson
- Winter 2025: James Day
- Autumn 2024: Aditya Pillai
- Summer 2024: Lily Aguirre
CSSE Outstanding Academic Performance
In recognition for high academic achievement for students graduating between summer 2024 and spring 2025 with a major in Computer Science & Software Engineering.
Recipient: Jordan Lavigueure
Applied Computing Outstanding Academic Performance
In recognition for high academic achievement for students graduating between summer 2024 and spring 2025 with a major in Applied Computing.
Recipient: Anni Khanal
CSS Graduate Studies Best Thesis Award
In recognition of the most outstanding thesis from a Computing & Software Systems graduate student during the past year.
Recipient: Phat Tran
CSS Graduate Studies Best Thesis or Capstone Project that Incorporates Diversity, Equity, inclusion, and/or Justice
In recognition of the most outstanding thesis or project from a Computing & Software Systems graduate student during the past year that made an impact in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and/or Justice.
Recipient: Elias Martin
Physical Sciences Division (PSD) awards
Student Success Award
In recognition of outstanding contributions to the chemistry or physics program through achievements in mentoring, service, scholarship, and research.
- Physics: Carol Miu
Academic Achievement Award
In recognition of outstanding performance in chemistry or physics coursework.
- Chemistry: Zach Thomas
- Physics: Jayron Yucker
- Earth System Sciences: Dash Paulson
Outstanding Peer Facilitator
In recognition of outstanding accomplishments as a peer facilitator and helping other students achieve their goals and potential.
- Chemistry: Ethan Gause
- Physics: Morrigan
Outstanding Researcher
In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in chemistry or physics research.
- Chemistry: Zach Thomas
- Physics: Liliana Flores
- Earth System Sciences: Brendan McCindle
Physical Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Award
Winners of this award show excellent potential as researchers, and they receive a stipend from the chair of the Physical Sciences Division to support summer research.
Recipients:
- Kaito T. Hasebe, working with Dr. Joey Shapiro Key on their project “Fast Radio Bursts”
- Jude Pazier, working with Dr. Subramanian Ramachandran on their project “The Design of a Sample Stage and Search for Resistive Transition in the Superconducting State of Bulk MgB2”
- Tobias Roetteler, working with Dr. Lori Robins on their project “Stability of Chronic Wound Dressings”
- Hana Yu, working with Dr. Hyung Kim on their project “New Proteins in the Nitrogen Cycle”
Earth System Sciences Recognition of Community Engagement
In recognition of outstanding contributions to the community through achievements in mentoring, service, scholarship, and research.
Recipient: Aidan McQuilkin
Biological Sciences (BIO) awards
Outstanding Biology Community Engagement Award
In recognition of outstanding contributions to the community through leadership, outreach, and service.
Recipient: Jiwan Tib
Outstanding Biology Equity and Justice Award
In recognition of outstanding contributions to the community through equity and inclusion service, outreach, and leadership work.
Recipient: Gurleen Dosanjh
Outstanding Biology Peer Facilitator Award
In recognition of outstanding accomplishments as a peer facilitator and helping other students achieve their goals and potential.
Recipient: Newton Austria Ball
Outstanding Biology Peer Award
In recognition of outstanding contributions as a peer and colleague, demonstrating kindness, support, collegiality, support, and mentorship to fellow Biology students.
Recipients:
- Vivian Lam
- Hadiya Amjad
Outstanding Biology Independent Researcher Award
In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in Biology research.
Recipients:
- Christian Paulos
- Joanna Agana
Engineering & Mathematics (E&M) awards
E&M Academic Excellence Award
In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in mathematics or engineering research.
- Electrical Engineering: Giovanni Dominguez
- Mechanical Engineering: Charlotte Morrison
- Computer Engineering: Hong K Nguyen
- Mathematics: Alex Lewis
- Mathematics: David Z. Gershnik
E&M Leadership and Service Award
In recognition of contributions to the mathematics or engineering programs through achievements in mentoring, service, scholarship, and research.
- Electrical Engineering: John Vertner
- Electrical Engineering: Jason Truong
- Mechanical Engineering: Brooke Ojala
- Computer Engineering: David Kim
- Mathematics: Cassandra Humarang
E&M Resilience Award
In recognition of resilience in overcoming significant obstacles and challenges in the mathematics and engineering programs.
- Electrical Engineering: Kenneth Ho
- Electrical Engineering: Julianne DeGuzman
- Mechanical Engineering: Haley James
- Computer Engineering: Husai Ehrari
- Mathematics: Bryan Zeutenhorst
Celebrating achievement
Each award recipient demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation within their respective fields. Their accomplishments reflect academic excellence and highlight their commitment to advancing research, fostering community engagement, and representing the School of STEM’s vision and mission.
To our award recipients, your achievements are a testament to your hard work, curiosity, and commitment to excellence. You’ve not only excelled in your fields, you’ve inspired those around you. We are so proud of you.
Jennifer McLoud-Mann, dean, School of STEM
The School of STEM congratulates all award winners and expresses gratitude to the countless faculty, staff, students, and partners for their continuous support and contributions to making the 2nd annual STEM Symposium a resounding success.
Learn more about the School of STEM Symposium.
