More than 300 attendees came together to celebrate the academic success of graduating students and to honor faculty and staff for their achievements in research, innovation and leadership at the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources’ annual Spring Celebration and Awards Night. Held May 6 at the Eldorado at THE ROW in Reno, the event recognized 46 award recipients and 170 graduating undergraduate and graduate students in attendance.

President Brian Sandoval gave the welcome remarks, congratulating students, faculty and administrators of the College for their commitment to excellence in research, teaching and service.

The event was emceed by Christian Kolberg, an alumnus of the University and current chair of University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Advisory Council. Kolberg welcomed Bill Payne, dean of the College to present the event’s first awards.

"Tonight is a highlight of my year as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our college,” Dean Payne said. “Your dedication to teaching, research and community engagement, especially through recent challenges and uncertainties, truly embodies The Wolf Pack Way. This evening is about honoring that excellence and expressing our sincere gratitude to each one of you students, faculty, friends and supporters and our administrative staff who keep the College moving.”

In addition to acknowledging award recipients, Payne recognized faculty and staff who have recently been honored by external organizations for their success in research and outreach.

Among this year’s honorees was Professor Bob Ryan, interim chair of the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, who was named a 2024 fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society. Extension County Educator Brad Schultz was recognized with the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Range Management. Tracy Shane, Extension livestock specialist, was honored as Outstanding Undergraduate Educator by the Range Science Education Council. Rounding out the list was Megan Huynh, a biochemistry and molecular biology student who received the University’s Dale W. Bohmont Leadership Award for her outstanding leadership and service to the College.

Payne also recognized several College faculty and staff who will be honored at the University’s upcoming “Honor the Best” ceremony. Among them are Vice Provost David Shintani, recipient of the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award; Associate Professor Joanna Blaszczak, recipient of the Jason Geddes Rising Researcher Award from the Nevada System of Higher Education; and Nora Luna, 4-H youth development faculty, who will be honored with the Outstanding Leadership and Supervisor Award from the University Foundation.

Several faculty members, including Jacob DeDecker, director of Extension and associate dean for engagement with the College, presented awards to recipients, including Regent Pete Goicoechea of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

The 2025 awardees included:

Student Achievement Awards

Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences

• Gabrielle Franco – Outstanding Senior, Agricultural Science.
• Katriel Van Cleve – Outstanding Senior, Agricultural Science.
• Carson Browder – Outstanding Senior, Rangeland Ecology & Management.
• Kiera M. Finn – Outstanding Senior, Veterinary Science.
• Nadini Gamage – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Animal & Rangeland Sciences.
• Tracy L. Shane – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Animal & Rangeland Sciences.

Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

• Zane Abi-Rached – Outstanding Senior, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.
• Elliott Runyan – Outstanding Senior, Biotechnology.
• Benjamin Faustino – Outstanding Master's Student, Biotechnology.
• Frederica Kizek – Outstanding Master's Student, Biotechnology.
• Victoria Miguel Rodrigues – Outstanding Master's Student, Biotechnology.
• Brian Prince – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Biochemistry.
• Elizabeth Jennings – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Biochemistry.

Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science

• Alexa Savage – Outstanding Senior, Environmental Science.
• Owen Watson – Outstanding Senior, Environmental Science.
• Rebecca Wahlstrom – Outstanding Senior, Forest Ecology & Management.
• Matthew Haar – Outstanding Senior, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation.
• Heather Reich – Outstanding Master's Student, Natural Resources & Environmental Science.
• Alexandra Coconis – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology.
• Elijah Boardman – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Hydrologic Sciences.

Department of Nutrition

• Aislinn Behan – Outstanding Senior, Dietetics.
• Savanna Turnipseed – Outstanding Senior, Nutritional Science.
• Masuda Akter – Outstanding Master's Student, Nutritional Science.
• Matthew Bolino – Excellence in Nutrition Instruction.

Employee Award Winners

• Small Business Education Program – Outstanding Extension Team:
  • Amanda Farrar
  • Brenda Bryant
  • Lesley Bautista
  • Mike Bindrup
  • Reyna Mendez
  • Shiva Kittusamy
• Jane Hussein – Outstanding Extension Support Staff.
• Perry Williams – Outstanding Academic Researcher.
• Robert Shriver – Outstanding Teacher.
• Hunter Noble – Outstanding Administrative Faculty.
• Reyna Mendez – Outstanding Extension Administrative Faculty.
• Marlene Rebori – Outstanding Extension Academic Faculty.
• Tracy Casbarro – Outstanding Extension Program Staff.
• YaeBin Kim – Outstanding Extension Researcher.
• Steven Frese – Outstanding for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• Karla Hull – Outstanding Classified Staff.

Special Recognition Awards

• Sally Saban – Marsha Read Leadership Award in Nutrition & Dietetics.
• Regent Pete Goicoechea – Outstanding Agriculturist.
• Alexandra Urza – Outstanding Leadership in Natural Resources & Environmental Science.
• Peter Guzman – Outstanding Extension Supporter.
• Carlos Gomez – Outstanding Extension Supporter.

More information on the College’s award recipients can be found on the College’s Spring Celebration & Awards Night page.