MB&B Prizes and Awards 2025  

University Prizes

Graham Prize

The gift of James Chandler Graham, Class of 1890, awarded to a member of the graduating class for excellence in natural science.

  • Greta Yang

The Wesleyan Memorial Prize

The gift of undergraduates in the Class of 1943 in memory of fellow students who made the supreme sacrifice in the Second World War, to the members of the junior class outstanding in qualities of character, leadership, and scholarship.

  • Daniel Tung

Phi Beta Kappa

  • Zuha Anjum
  • Oliver Clackson
  • Sam Kumler
  • Sabrina Ladiwala
  • Mia Pakola
  • Aiden Parente
  • Anand Parikh
  • Greta Yang

Department Prizes

Hawk Prize

The gift of Philip B. Hawk, Class of 1898, as a memorial to his wife, Gladys, to the students who have done the most effective work in biochemistry.

  • Yun Hunynh
  • Aiden Parente
  • Greta Yang

Scott Biomedical Prize

Awarded to a member or members of the molecular biology and biochemistry senior class who have demonstrated excellence and interest in commencing a career in academic or applied medicine.

  • Idenya Bala-Mehta
  • Christine Butawo
  • Oliver Clackson
  • Sabrina Ladiwala
  • Gwyneth MacDonough
  • Romani Osbourne
  • Anand Parikh
  • Phyllis Schram
  • Gavin Shamis

Dr. Neil Clendeninn Prize

Established in 1991 by George Thornton, Class of 1991, and David Derryck, Class of 1993, for the student who has achieved academic excellence in biology and/or molecular biology and biochemistry. This student must have completed his or her sophomore year and in that time have exemplified those qualities of character, leadership, and concern for the Wesleyan community as shown by Dr. Neil Clendeninn, Class of 1971.

  • Zainab Aweda

The Peterson Prize

Established in 1963 by bequest of William Harold Peterson, Class of 1907, for graduate study in biochemistry at Wesleyan.

  • Ghazia Abbas
  • Zane Lombardo
  • Ranjuna Weerasekera

The Keifer Prize 

To celebrate the outstanding graduating Ph.D. student in Molecular Biology

  • Ghazia Abbas

William Firshein Prize

In honor of founding faculty member William Firshein, awarded to the graduating MB&B student who has contributed the most to the interests and character of the molecular biology and biochemistry department.

  • Alex Hinbest

Melnick Travel Grant

  • Anand Parikh
  • Arpie Bakshian
  • Farah Hasanain

External and Organizational Prizes

Barry Goldwater Fellowship

  • Kaylin Maher
  • Antonio Rivera

Rhodes Scholarship Finalist, Jamaica Constituency

  • Romani Osbourne

ASBMB Honors Society

  • Phyllis Schram

SACNAS Travel Award to Chapter Office Leadership October Retreat

  • Arpie Bakshian

SACNAS Best Poster Prize at the Regional Conference at Yale University

  • Jaime Carrazco-Carrillo