The 2025-2026 academic year brought well-deserved recognition for members of our school across teaching, research, service, and scholarship. These awards reflect the collective strength and persistence of a community committed to discovery, learning, and service. Congratulations to all of those who have been recognized for their excellence and impact. 

SEFS 2026 Awards

Each year SEFS students, faculty and staff nominate fellow peers for our annual, internal awards. Below are the 2026 winners. Congratulations!

• Beth Gardner — Faculty Member of the Year
• Rachel Guervera — The Richard D. Taber Excellence in Wildlife Conservation Award
• Matt Gray — Staff Member of the Year
• Allie Howell — The John A. Wott Botanic Gardens Endowed Student Award
• Madison Laughlin — Graduate Student of the Year
• Kelsey Mosqueda — Undergraduate Student of the Year
• Blaise Strickler — The Richard D. Taber Outstanding Wildlife Conservation Student Award
• Miro Stuke — Outstanding Commitment to Inclusivity Award

External Student Awards and Scholarships

Two ESRM students, Luciana Calle and Lorenzo McCleese, were awarded the 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholarship. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is one of the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate awards in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Established to identify and support the next generation of research leaders, the scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and significant potential for careers in scientific research. Goldwater Scholars are selected through a highly competitive national process, making the award a distinguished honor and a strong indicator of future contributions to science and innovation. 

Gabriel Kennedy-Gibbens selected as one of only three individuals for a 2026 Husky Sustainability Award by the UW Environmental Stewardship Committee. The Husky Sustainability Awards are given to students, faculty and staff from the Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma campuses who show impact, initiative and leadership around sustainability. Learn more about the 2026 recipients from the UW Sustainability offices.

Team LEAF, led by PhD candidates Miro Stuke and Amelia Keyser-Gibson as well as Lucia Lin (ESRM undergraduate), and Mehak Mittal from UW’s Foster School of Business, took home the $5,000 Kathryn Gardow & David Bradlee Climate Solutions Big Picture Prize at this year’s Dempsey Startup Awards. The prize recognizes outstanding innovation in climate mitigation and sustainability. Team LEAF addresses seedling mortality through a marketplace platform connecting the reforestation supply chain, offering a Plant Resilience Certification based on eco-physiological testing and data tools. Learn more about the 2026 Dempsey Startup Awards that celebrate student entrepreneurship across the Cascadia Corridor.

Three SEFS students were honored in the 2026 Husky 100! Two ESRM students, Sarah Desai and Nijah Coleman and Lara Volski, a PhD student studying Wildlife Ecology. Lara Volski was also selected for the 2026 College of the Environment Graduate Dean’s Medalist Award. This award recognizes graduate students based on evidence of outstanding academic achievement, including research, overall GPA and other measurable academic achievements, as well as outstanding leadership or service, including teaching, community service and leadership on or off campus. Learn more about the 2026 College of the Environment award winners.

Hema Vellapan was selected for the 2026 College of the Environment Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Excellence. This award recognizes a commitment to supporting the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences that make up our students, postdocs, staff, faculty and collaborators in the College, above and beyond the nominee’s position description. Learn more about the 2026 College of the Environment award winners.

External Staff & Faculty Awards

Assistant Professor Claire Willing named Early Career Fellow by the Ecological Society of America. Read more about Willing’s work and recognition in this UW News article.

Dr. Vera Trainer, who directs marine programs at ONRC, was awarded Yasumoto Lifetime Achievement Award. The Yasumoto Lifetime Achievement Award is among the highest honors in harmful algal bloom research. Presented only every two years by the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae, it recognizes a lifetime of exceptional scientific contributions that have advanced global understanding of marine toxins, ecosystem health, and public safety. Named for pioneering researcher Takeshi Yasumoto, the award celebrates individuals whose work has left a lasting impact on both science and society. Read our Q&A with Dr. Vera Trainer.

Associate Professor Greg Bratman recognized as a 2025 Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate. Highly Cited Researchers are recognized for shaping their fields through influential, widely referenced work.

SEFS was celebrated for enhancing safety culture on campus by Provost Tricia Serio. Congrats to Sharon Doty, Soo-Hyung Kim, Anthony Dichiara and Facilities Coordinator Matt Gray for being recognized as leaders in laboratory safety and innovation at the 2025 laboratory Safety Awards and Innovations Event held by UW’s Environmental Health & Safety department.