Students in the College of Science won several awards in the 2021-2022 academic year, including one graduate student. The awards came from both the University and from the Board of Regents. Two College of Science students were recipients of the Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award, which is typically awarded to four students each year for good scholarship, good character and worthy service.

Jayde Powell, Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award

Jayde Powell created the non-profit Shopping Angels, which grew to over 6,000 volunteers. Shopping Angels addressed the critical need for access to groceries for high-risk people during the pandemic. Powell also graduated from the 2021 Nonprofit Academy (the youngest to do so), which helps guide Executive Directors in leading their nonprofits in Northern Nevada. Additionally, she received the Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship.

What does receiving your award mean to you?

To me, this award signifies the many lessons I’ve learned since the onset of the pandemic. The single, most impactful lesson that this pandemic taught me is quite simple. We all possess the knowledge and skills to change the world around us, regardless of our age, socioeconomic status, background, or education level. It also represents the solidarity I feel with my own community – it’s a profound reminder that I am not alone in my pursuit to better the world, that I can always count on my loved ones for support, and then provide that unconditional support to others. It also exemplifies the immense support that I have received from the University of Nevada along this journey.

What is the most valuable experience you’ve had at the University?

The most invaluable experience I’ve had at the University of Nevada has been my enrollment in Psychology of Trauma, taught by Dr. Dean Hinitz, and for several years thereafter being a member of his teaching team. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of this class, and I certainly wasn’t aware of the semesterly fight to escape the waitlist. For anyone who is in this position – this class is worth every moment. Each class period was a cherished time to spend with the teaching team and with my peers, being vulnerable with one another, learning about empathy and human connection, and how to push our comfort zones. You could not have paid me to skip that class. I could see how comfortable the teaching assistants were with one another, how each member of the teaching team relied upon one another to foster an environment that nourishes genuine, long-lasting growth. I can remember the exact moment when I stood in that classroom and asked to be a part of that team – and was forever so grateful to have been welcomed with open arms. I came to meet some of the most selfless and caring individuals I have ever known through this teaching team. We were able to lean on one another, to lift each other up, and celebrate our successes together. It was unlike any other teaching team I had ever been on. As a teaching assistant, I also had the blessing to see dozens of students take the class “because it's required to graduate”, and they come out fifteen weeks later having an entirely new outlook on life. I had the same experience – my perspective on life, friendships, and decision-making is permanently altered (for the better) because of this one experience.

Christopher (“COCO”) Sanchez, Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award

COCO Sanchez’s work toward reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS on the community earned him the Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award. Sanchez’s research could have significant implications for drug development targeting HIV-positive cells. His research through the Trudy Larson Institute is on track to benefit the medical community and underrepresented communities.

What does receiving your award mean to you?

The “Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award” is awarded to graduating seniors whose collegiate record shows good scholarship, character, and meritorious service. I was hesitant to apply with my imposter syndrome being a constant reminder that maybe I wasn’t competent enough as others perceived me to be. My TRiO coach, Heather Williams, convinced me that I was qualified for the award and even wrote me a letter of support for the application. There was only one emotion I felt when I got the call that I was one of the recipients of the award - shock. As a queer, Hispanic, First-generation American and student I always felt that the work I did at the university was not enough - after all, my family sacrificed so much for me to be able to get a college education. Being a recipient of this award brought a lot of perspective to me. I was being recognized at the university level for the accomplishments that I had done. The work I did was meaningful. I used the award money to buy my first suit to wear to the award ceremony. For the first time in my life, I felt like the sacrifices my family made for me were indemnified.

What is the most valuable experience you’ve had at the University?

My senior year was the most valuable experience I’ve had at the university. I genuinely cannot pin down a single moment that was the most valuable in my senior year because I had so much to be grateful for. I started my new job at the School of Public Health working on the Nevada Integrated HIV/AIDs Prevention and Care Plan and a COVID-19 study that focused on the Latinx community. I completed the synthesis of a novel small molecule inhibitor of co-translational translocation (9-cyclohexylmethyl-3-methylene-5-(3,5-dimethoxybenzenesunfonyl)-1-(p-methoxybenzenesulfonyl)-1,5,9-triazacyclododecane) (CS1201) that added to the repertoire of CADA analogs and can be potentially used to treat HIV/AIDs. I was honored to create a podcast with COVID-19 mRNA vaccine developer Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett while working with the amazing duo, Jennifer Kent and Melanie Duckworth. I met my boyfriend who has helped me in ways that I can’t even begin to describe. I connected to my feminine side when I performed among student and local drag queens at the UNR Drag Show. And of course, I graduated with my degree in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, 1874 Scholar (Honors College), and a minor in biochemistry.

Piyada Sriphong-Ngarm, Student Employee of the Year

Piyada Sriphong-Ngarm, a psychology student, was named the Student Employee of the Year for her role in the libraries. Her department nominated her for the award, stating that she was trustworthy, a great role model and an intelligent, caring coworker with a bright future. “She is our go-to student worker for nerve-racking tasks, like repairing the fragile spine on a rare, 200-year-old book, and she’s always ready to step up and handle the unexpected,” the department said in their nomination letter.

Nicole Choma, Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship, Undergraduate

The Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship is given to a student with leadership and service accomplishments, as well as their academic achievements. Nicole Choma, an environmental science and biology student, has maintained a 4.0 GPA, and has held multiple leadership roles, including Section Head in Marching Band and being a NevadaFIT mentor. Choma’s academic successes include being a National Merit Scholar, a U.S. Presidential Scholar and a Nevada Undergraduate Research Award. Choma studies how mercury is absorbed in microplastics in a research lab and plans to become a marine biologist after attending graduate school.

Hana Hackbusch, Phi Kappa Phi Award

The Phi Kappa Phi Award is awarded to the most outstanding and accomplished junior at the University. Many past winners of this award have gone on to receive a graduate education. Hana Hackbusch is one of two recipients of the award this year. Hackbusch is an honors student majoring in neuroscience and doing valuable research.

What does receiving your award mean to you?

Receiving this award means a lot to me! Being from Reno it is an awesome feeling knowing that my university recognizes my hard work. I feel even more driven and excited to continue my undergraduate degree and continue to be involved with the university!

What is the most valuable experience you’ve had at the University?

The most valuable experience I have had so far has been living in the dorms. My freshman year I lived in Great Basin Hall. I think the biggest take away from that was learning to navigate college and feel more comfortable around campus. I don’t think I would be as successful as I have been if I did not experience that my first year. College can be be very overwhelming and daunting especially during a pandemic. Experiencing that will other students on campus was comforting and helped me a lot!

Jennifer Heppner, 3MT Competition Winner and Patricia Berninsone People’s Choice Award

Jennifer Heppner won both awards at the annual Three Minute Thesis competition. Heppner’s three-minute presentation on her research about how birds are impacted by light pollution won her more than a third of the People’s Choice votes. The judges of the event, including University President Brian Sandoval ‘86 (English) and his wife, Lauralyn McCarthy Sandoval ‘92 (journalism), hailed from a variety of backgrounds, so it was key for the students to be able to present their research to a wide range of knowledge bases. The competition allowed students to gain experience succinctly and simply describing their research while showcasing their work.

What does receiving your award mean to you?

Receiving the awards in this competition truly validated all of the hard work I put into creating and preparing my presentation. This competition challenged me to take my research and learn how to explain it quickly and general enough for the public to understand and enjoy. I was able to practice my outreach and public speaking skills and enhance them to a whole new level. And in this environment where so much is expected of graduate students, where imposters syndrome and anxiety burden so many, it truly made me feel like I was doing something right.

What is the most valuable experience you’ve had at the University?

Some of the best moments I’ve had here at UNR, have been mentoring undergrads in my lab for either fieldwork or honors theses. I have had the privilege of having some amazing undergrads helping me with my fieldwork over the years. Through the heat of Nevada summers, they’ve been out with me every day checking bird nest boxes, measuring chicks, and helping me take blood samples from birds.  Helping students gain usable skills whether in the lab, field or in writing, to help them become more successful in their future careers is one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve been able to have.

Rachael Roach, Cavanaugh Community Volunteer Award and Outstanding Senior Award

Rachael Roach won two University-wide awards in her senior year. The neuroscience honors student, who plans to pursue dentistry, won the Cavanaugh Community Volunteer Award and the Outstanding Senior Award. Roach was the president of the American Student Medical Association at the University as well as a hospital volunteer. She served as an Honors Peer Mentor and was named a Most Outstanding Mentor. Roach was also a Nevada Undergraduate Research Award recipient for her work in Jaqueline Snow’s research lab studying vision. The Cavanaugh Community Volunteer Award is awarded to students with a record of outstanding community service work, and the Outstanding Senior Award criteria is based on academic achievements, leadership and community service.

What does receiving your award mean to you?

To say I was shocked at receiving my awards is an understatement. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the emails in regards to getting the Outstanding Senior Award as well as the Cavanaugh Community Volunteer Award. Being chosen for these meant the world to me because I’ve worked incredibly hard over the last four years and to have that acknowledged was not only humbling, but quite an honor. I’m very grateful that Kety Luna nominated me for the Cavanaugh Community Volunteer award. She had a very influential role during my time in the Honors College and she inspired me to create change and make an impact on the university as a whole. I’m also very appreciative of Dr. Jacqueline Snow, who I had the privilege of doing research with for the last few years. Her continued support and dedication to science has inspired me to never give up and continue pushing through the challenges of a Neuroscience degree. I’ve also been very fortunate that I’ve had several professors who have been supportive in helping me reach my dreams and receive these awards - Dr. Craig Dodson, Dr. Erin Edgington, Dr. Joshua Padilla, and Dr. Marian Berryhill. I’m so thankful for all that I’ve learned and for all of the recognition I’ve received during this last semester. These awards were completely unexpected and I’ll be forever grateful for my interactions and time at the University of Nevada, Reno. Go Pack!

What is the most valuable experience you’ve had at the University?

Being a part of the Wolf Pack has provided me with a variety of opportunities and experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today, but if I have to choose just one, research stands out the most. As a freshman, I was fortunate enough to be offered a research position by Dr. Jacqueline Snow, where I spent countless hours collaborating with her graduate students. Much of my responsibilities included scheduling and running participant testing sessions, analyzing over 9,000 trials of data, and contributing with problem solving strategies as any glitches would arise. My involvement in research opened the door to numerous opportunities. I was able to put together a proposal and submission for the Nevada Undergraduate Research Award (NURA), which I was so honored to be awarded in the Fall of 2019. As part of this award, I was given the chance to present our research at the NURA Symposium and share our passion with fellow science enthusiasts in the Spring of 2020. Another opportunity and highlight for me has been being named a co-author on our manuscript, which we are working towards publishing. These experiences not only put a stamp on the neuroscience field, but also on my life. I learned invaluable skills such as how to work as a team, how to persevere, and that there is no such thing as failure. Instead, it is merely a chance to learn. These lessons continue to have a profound impact on my life and my influence on the surrounding community.