Below is a list of awards and scholarships in the Department of Biology, beginning with 2024-2025 to present. 

ARTHUR J. AND FLORA D. LEVIN EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING AWARD
The Arthur J. and Flora D. Levin Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award ($500) recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience undergraduate student for excellence in teaching. Faculty, course supervisors, teaching staff, and/or graduate teaching assistants may nominate students for this award.

2025-2026 Recipient: Rain Johnson (Biology major)
2024-2025 Recipient: Avery Wilson (Biology major)

BIOLOGY OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT AWARD
The Biology Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award recognizes a student who has been an outstanding undergraduate teaching assistant in the Department of Biology.

2025-2026 Recipients: Joe Goltl (Biology and Science Education majors) and Lauren Gomez (Biology major on the Cell and Development track)
2024-2025 Recipients: Hailey Hakes (Human Physiology major) and Julia Malley (Psychology major with a minor in Biology)

AVIS CONE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
The Avis Cone Undergraduate Research Fellowship ($1,000) recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience major undertaking laboratory research in the Department of Biology.

2025-2026 Recipient: Tuesday Davis (Biology major on the Genetics and Biotechnology track)
Faculty Research Mentor: Ana Llopart, Ph.D.
2024-2025 Recipient: Seren Castellano (Biology major on the Genetics and Biotechnology track and a Anthropology major)
Faculty Research Mentor: Maurine Neiman, Ph.D.

EVELYN HART WATSON UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
The Evelyn Hart Watson Undergraduate Research Fellowship ($1,000) 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.

2025-2026 Recipients: Lauren Gomez (Biology major on the Cell and Developmental Biology track) and Madeline Roberts (Neuroscience major)
Faculty Research Mentors: Doug Houston, Ph.D. and Jan Fassler, Ph.D.
2024-2025 Recipient: Avery Wilson (Biology)
Faculty Research Mentor: Sarit Smolikove, Ph.D.

CLIFFORD W. HESSELTINE AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The Clifford W. Hesseltine Award for Academic Excellence ($1,000) 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. 

2025-2026 Recipients: Sean Strand (Biology major) and Ava Vaillant (Biology major on the Genetics and Biotechnology track)
Faculty Research Mentors: Tina Tootle, Ph.D. and Ryan Boudreau, Ph.D.
2024-2025 Recipient: Kelsey Martin (Biology major on the Genetics and Biotechnology track and a German major)
Faculty Research Mentor: Bin Z. HE, Ph.D.

BIOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH TRAVEL AWARD
The Department of Biology Undergraduate Research Travel Award is presented to an undergraduate student who is performing research within the Department of Biology. The award (up to $1000) provides funds for an undergraduate student to attend a regional or national conference in the next year.

2025-2026 Recipient: Olivia Bake (Biology major on the Neurobiology track)
2024-2025 Recipient: Aiza Khan (Biology major on the Cell and Developmental Biology track)

LOWDEN PRIZE FOR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT IN BIOLOGY
The Lowden Prize for Outreach and Engagement in Biology ($400) recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience student who has been highly engaged in the Department of Biology. This award is funded by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Department of Biology. 

2025-2026 Recipient: Greta Schlafer (Biology major on the Genetics and Biotechnology track)
2024-2025 Recipients: Jasmyn Hoeger (Biology major on the Cell and Developmental Biology track) and Lauren McNally (Biology major on the Integrated Biology track)

BIO LEADERSHIP AWARD (EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS)
The Biological Interests Organization (BIO) recognized their Executive Board members with the BIO Leadership Award. The purpose of the BIO student organization is to provide students with connections to research opportunities, career networking, and volunteering opportunities within the Department of Biology and across the University of Iowa campus. 

The 2025-2026 BIO Executive Board members who earned a Leadership Award are: Darien Arndorfer (Social Media Coordinator), Tyler Draayer (Academic Director), Rafaella Guimaraes (Co-President), Haleigh Holbert (Communications Director), Katie Lee (Outreach Coordinator), Apisinee Thao (Co-President and Social Event Coordinator), and Lydia Watkins (Study Group Coordinator)
The 2024-2025 BIO Executive Board members who earned a Leadership Award are: Sydney Brandmeyer (Communications Director and Professional Liaison), Griffin Daley (Treasurer), Tyler Draayer (Academic Director), Rafaella Guimaraes (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair), Katie Lee (Outreach Coordinator), Lauren McNally (President), Maya Monk (Environment & Sustainability Chair), Apisinee Thao (Vice President and Social Event Coordinator), Abigail Townsend (Tutor Coordinator), Lydia Watkins (Volunteer Coordinator), and Cadyn Wilhelm (Social Media Coordinator)

BIO PARTICIPATION AWARD (GREEN CORD RECIPIENTS)
The BIO student organization recognized these graduating students who have demonstrated involvement and continued commitment to the club with a green cord and BIO Participation Award. Members earn a cord based on attendance at BIO events. To receive a cord, members must attain an average of 4 points per semester or 32 points total. Cords can also be earned by serving on the BIO Executive Board.

These BIO members earned a green cord and Participation Award for the 2025-2026 school year: Tyler Draayer, Rafaella Guimaraes, Haleigh Holbert, Noura Ibrahim, Ella Laidig, Katie Lee, Ang Mawi, Grace Schroeder, Apisinee Thao, and Lydia Watkins
These BIO members earned a green cord and Participation Award for the 2024-2025 school year: Juliza Bonilla, Sydney Brandmeyer, Griffin Daley, Lauren McNally, Maya Monk, Grace Pierce, Abigail Townsend, and Cadyn Wilhelm

BIOLOGY EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD
The Biology Exceptional Service Award recognizes a faculty member, graduate student, or staff member who have performed exceptional service to the Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the University of Iowa, and/or their profession.

2025-2026 Recipients: Katheryn Rothenberg (Assistant Professor of Biology), Brandon Waltz (Assistant Professor of Instruction), Erin Edgar (Instructional Services Specialist), and Kendra Musmaker (Instructional Services Specialist)
2024-2025 Recipients: Sydney Arlis (PhD student in the Integrated Biology Graduate Program), Angela Cordle (Instructional Services Specialist), Jan Fassler (Professor and Director of Graduate Studies), and Steve Kehoe (Administrative Services Specialist)

BIOLOGY TEACHING AWARDS
The BIO (Biological Interests Organization) student organization oversaw the nomination and voting process for the Biology Teaching Awards. These Teaching Awards recognize instructors and graduate teaching assistants who go above and beyond in the classroom. These instructors show care for their position, subject, and students. They create an inclusive and welcoming learning environment, and they create a passion for their subject in students. All Department of Biology students were eligible to nominate and vote on these Teaching Awards.

2025-2026 Recipients: Faculty; Brandon Waltz (Assistant Professor of Instruction), Graduate Teaching Assistants; Haley Reeves (MS student in the Integrated Biology Graduate Program) and Varshu Saravanakumar (PhD student in the Integrated Biology Graduate Program)
2024-2025 Recipients: Faculty; Krista Osadchuk (Assistant Professor of Instruction) and Christopher Stipp (Professor), Graduate Teaching Assistants; Emily Hirsch (PhD student in the Integrated Biology Graduate Program) and MaKella Steffensen (PhD student in the Integrated Biology Graduate Program)

BIOLOGY EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH STAFF AWARD
The Biology Excellence in Research Staff Award will be based on self- or secondary nominations solicited by the Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) in the Department of Biology. Recipients of the award may be based on research accomplishments, longevity, and/or sustained contribution to a research lab or core research facility in the Department of Biology.

2025-2026 Recipient: Daniel Lusche

BIOLOGY EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD
The recipient of the Biology Excellence in Research Graduate Student Award will be selected based on the student's Fall COSMOS presentation. All students in or beyond their third year are eligible. Graduate students wishing to be considered for the award will inform the Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) ahead of their presentation and will submit a short summary of their research accomplishments and impact. GAC members will attend each presentation and will use a rubric to evaluate the presentations to maintain consistency in evaluations across the semester.

2025-2026 Recipient: Adrianna Caro (member of the Green Lab)