More than 300 attendees, including students, employees, supporters and friends, gathered for the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources’ annual Spring Celebration & Awards Night to mark the close of the 2025-26 academic year and recognize achievement across the College. Held May 5 at the Eldorado At THE ROW in Reno, the event honored 41 award recipients and recognized 181 graduating undergraduate and graduate students.

Christian Kolberg, a University alumnus and chair of University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Advisory Council, served as master of ceremonies, welcoming attendees and recognizing several special guests, among them Nevada System of Higher Education Regent Carol Del Carlo, former regent Laura Perkins and University Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Hillary Procknow. Kolberg also acknowledged members of the College’s advisory council for their continued support and engagement, naming those in attendance, including Leana Carey, Dominique Etchegoyen, J.J. Goicoechea, Gail Kosach, Bob Potts and Laura Perkins.

Kolberg then introduced Bill Payne, dean of the College, who delivered opening remarks.

“It’s truly my pleasure to join you all to celebrate all that you have achieved this year. It is so nice to have the opportunity to enjoy a special evening together and pause and reflect on all that we have accomplished as a College,” Dean Payne said. “Since the time I arrived here over 12 years ago, each year has held its own challenges, but one thing has remained constant: our students, employees and supporters remain steadfast working hard to enrich our communities, our state and beyond. I truly appreciate it and appreciate each and every one of you.”

Payne also highlighted recent scholarly and professional distinctions among faculty and students and recognized several scholarship recipients.

Among those recognized, Associate Professor Monika Gulia‑Nuss was recently appointed a Fulbright Alumni Ambassador after previously being named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar. Assistant Professor Lucas Phipps received the 2025 Nevada Young Rangeland Professional Award from the Nevada Section Society for Range Management, and Chris Pritsos, associate dean of research and director of the University’s Experiment Station, will receive the Award of Excellence in Leadership from agInnovation-West, the western association of Experiment Station directors, next month.

Payne also recognized veterinary science student Daniela Randolf, who received the Dale W. Bohmont Leadership Award at the Nevada Agricultural Foundation awards ceremony May 2, and four students who recently received Nevada Dairy Farmers scholarships: veterinary science students Melanie Burnett, Brianna España and Akizcha Unating and agricultural science student Leilani Means.

He further highlighted several College faculty members who will be recognized at the University’s upcoming Honor the Best ceremony on May 12:

• Scott Allen will receive one of the Jason Geddes Regents’ Rising Researcher awards from the Nevada System of Higher Education.
• Franco Biondi will be recognized with the Outstanding Researcher in STEM Award from the University’s Division of Research & Innovation.
• Ash Cale will receive the Postdoctoral Award for Exceptional Mentoring from the University’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
• Karla Hernández will be honored with the Distinguished Outreach & Engagement Faculty Award from the University’s Office of the Provost.
• Lyndsay Munro will be recognized with the Paul & Judy Bible University Teaching Excellence Award from the University’s Office of the Provost.

Several faculty members, including Jacob DeDecker, associate dean for engagement and director of Extension, presented awards to recipients.

The 2026 awardees included winners from various departments as follows.

Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences Student Award Winners

• Lindsey Heath – Outstanding Senior, Agricultural Science
• Kallie Carrigan – Outstanding Senior, NevadaTeach Agricultural Science
• Justin Ramos – Outstanding Senior, Rangeland Ecology & Management
• Daniela Randolf – Outstanding Senior, Veterinary Science
• Nadini Gamage – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Animal & Rangeland Sciences

Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Student Award Winners

• William Le – Outstanding Senior, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Christina Winkler – Outstanding Senior, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology  
• McKenna Mancuso – Outstanding Senior, Biotechnology
• Delilah Moreno – Outstanding Senior, Biotechnology
• Nathaniel Moore – Outstanding Master's Student, Biotechnology
• Brandon Veron – Outstanding Master's Student, Biotechnology
• Matthew Bolino – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Biochemistry

Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science Student Award Winners

• Lila Humlick – Outstanding Senior, Environmental Science
• Aillis McCormack – Outstanding Senior, Forest Ecology & Management
• Michael Maggio – Outstanding Senior, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
• Kristina Ramsey – Outstanding Master's Student, Natural Resources & Environmental Science
• Johanne Albrigtsen – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Hydrologic Sciences

Department of Nutrition Student Award Winners

• Jenica Lynch – Outstanding Senior, Dietetics
• Amanda Maria Thurston – Outstanding Master’s Senior, Dietetics
• Norincia Osei-Boateng – Outstanding Master’s Student, Nutritional Science

Employee Award Winners

• Daniel Coen – Outstanding Extension Administrative Faculty
• Najat Elgeberi – Outstanding Extension Academic Faculty
• Monika Gulia-Nuss – Outstanding Researcher
• Maureen Molini – Outstanding Teacher
• Robert Moore – Outstanding Administrative Faculty
• Ruby Anna Mosteiro – Outstanding Classified Staff
• Most Tahera Naznin – Outstanding Extension Researcher
• Kayla Ransom – Outstanding Extension Program Staff
• Amber Yoder – Outstanding Extension Support Staff
• Hope and Recovery – Outstanding Extension Team

Special Recognition Award Winners

• Brandon Camp – Outstanding Agriculturist
• Laurel Saito – Outstanding Leadership in Natural Resources & Environmental Science
• Karon Felten – Marsha Read Leadership Award in Nutrition & Dietetics
• Michael Mouradian – Outstanding Leadership in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
• Jessica Shanley – Outstanding Extension Supporter

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