Listed below are the recipients of the Department of Biology’s Undergraduate Awards and Fellowships for 2023-2024. Congratulations to these outstanding students for their hard work and achievements! These students will also be recognized on our department’s social media over the next few weeks (@uiowabiology on Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram). Click here for more information on the department awards and fellowships.

CLIFFORD W. HESSELTINE AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
This award recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience student of junior or senior standing who has a strong academic record (GPA of at least 3.5) and excellence outside the classroom. 
Recipient: Deven Strief                                                                                                          
Major/Interest: Biomedical Sciences with a Pre-Medicine interest  
Hometown: Eldridge, IA
Faculty Research Advisor: Michael Dailey, Ph.D.

BIOLOGY OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT AWARD (2 recipients)
This award recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience undergraduate student who has been an outstanding undergraduate teaching assistant for the 2023-2024 academic year. 
Recipients: Veda Amalkar and Abbie Townsend 

Veda Amalkar 
Major: Biomedical Sciences with a Pre-Medicine interest
Hometown: West Des Moines, IA      
Nominated by Angie Cordle, Ph.D.                 

Abbie Townsend
Major/Interest: Neuroscience with a Pre-Medicine interest
Hometown: Cedar Falls, IA
Nominated by Angie Cordle, Ph.D.                                                                                                 

ARTHUR J. AND FLORA D. LEVIN EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING AWARD (2 recipients)
This award recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience undergraduate student for excellence in teaching through the Teaching Internship in Biology (BIOL:4897). 
Recipients: Jenna Atkins and Omar Montiel-Martinez

Jenna Atkins 
Major: Biology (Genetics and Biotechnology track)
Hometown: Cedar Falls, IA     
Nominated by Amr El Zawily, Ph.D., and Hanxi Tang for Teaching Internship in Biology: Foundations of Biology (BIOL:4897:0001), Spring 2024 semester.                 

Omar Montiel-Martinez
Major/Interest: Biology (Genetics and Biotechnology track) with a Pre-Physician Assistant interest
Hometown: Franklin Park, IL
Nominated by Angie Cordle, Ph.D., for Teaching Internship in Biology: Human Biology (BIOL:4897:0002), Fall 2023 semester.                       

ARTHUR J. AND FLORA D. LEVIN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH 
This award recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience student undertaking laboratory research in the Department of Biology and who possesses the potential to make an outstanding contribution in research.
Recipient: Cole Belcher                                                                                                         
Major: Biology (Integrative Biology track)
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Faculty Research Advisor: Bin He, Ph.D.         
Nominated by Bin He, Ph.D.

EVELYN HART WATSON UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP 
This award recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience student undertaking laboratory research in the Department of Biology who has a GPA of at least 3.0. The recipient of this award can apply for either an upcoming academic year or summer fellowship.
Recipient: Lily Nelson
Major/Interest: Neuroscience with a Pre-Medicine interest
Hometown: Clive, IA
Faculty Research Advisor: Michael Dailey, Ph.D.                                               

LOWDEN PRIZE FOR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT IN BIOLOGY 
This award recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience student who has been highly engaged with the Department of Biology's outreach and recruiting events/activities. 
Recipient: Gabriella Snyder
Majors: Biology (Genetics and Biotechnology track) and Anthropology (Medical Anthropology track) 
Hometown: Adel, IA
*This award is funded by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.