UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has named eight recipients for its 2023-24 Inaugural Award Series, which reflects on a profound year of impacts and achievements and recognizes the talents of the OHMC community.
The award winners were announced at a networking luncheon held on Sept. 1 at the Penn State Arboretum.
“Our community is defined by its spirit and vital work to expand upward in transforming each other and the field of the microbiome sciences," said Seth Bordenstein, director of the OHMC. "The honors bestowed highlight the great potential and responsibility we have to each other and the power that our Center has on friends, colleagues, and the public.”
Erika Ganda, executive committee member of the OHMC, echoed the sentiment.
“We prioritize, promote and acknowledge diversity in skills, interests and expertise, which help accelerate microbiome research and education at Penn State," Ganda said. "The goal of the OHMC Annual Awards Series is to recognize less quantifiable, but extremely important aspects of our microbiome community, such as mentoring, leadership and creativity."
The OHMC 2023-24 Award recipients are listed below. For descriptions of recipient’s accolades visit the OHMC’s Funding and Awards webpage.
- Community Engagement Award — Recognizes individuals dedicated to communicating and engaging with broad audiences (e.g., community stakeholders, policy makers, youth, etc.).
- Nina Camillone, doctoral candidate, soil science and international agriculture and development
- Creative Award — Recognizes individuals who communicate/apply complex scientific concepts in an engaging or artful way; who make science more accessible/interesting to a wide audience.
- Daryl Branford, director of Science-Art Initiative, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
- Talley Fisher, senior research artist, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
- Michael Tribone, multimedia specialist, Department of Entomology, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
- The Carolee Bull Leadership Award — Recognizes trainees who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service and initiative; who serve as a peer role model.
- Emily Van Syoc, postdoctoral scholar, Department of Biology
- Taejung Chung, doctoral candidate, food science
- Driving Success Award — Recognizes faculty who champion mentee and peer academic success and personal growth; who provide guidance, support and encouragement.
- Mary Ann Bruns, professor of soil microbiology and biogeochemistry, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.
- Rising Star Research Award — Recognizes early-career faculty with exceptional independent achievement in grant funding, scientific breakthroughs, mentoring and/or leadership.
- Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes, Department of Animal Sciences
- The Nonconformist Award — Recognizes individuals who think outside the box, take risks, and push boundaries; who are building innovative novel solutions or paths to success.
- Sarah Richards, doctoral student, dual title in ecology and international agriculture and development
The awardees were nominated by their peers and selected from the pool of nominees by a OHMC awards committee of six people. They represent the diversity of talents, interests, and motivations present throughout the OHMC community. Each winner received an engraved glass award and $200. The OHMC awards series is supported by funding from monetary gifts made to the Center. For more information on how to support the Center, visit their website.