MB&B Prizes and Awards 2025  

University Prizes

The Wesleyan Graham Prize

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

  • Raya Goulding

The Wesleyan Butterfield Prize

Established by the Class of 1967 and awarded to the graduating senior who has exemplified those qualities of character, leadershio, intellectual commitment, and concern for the Wesleyan community shown by Victor Lloyd Butterfield, eleventh president of the University. 

  • Raya Goulding

Phi Beta Kappa

  • Daniel Noah Becker
  • Alanna Clare Dwyer
  • Leila Mila Epstein
  • Raya Goulding
  • Kaylin Maher
  • Phoebe Papavasiliou

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.

  • Daniel Becker
  • Alanna Dwyer
  • Raya Goulding
  • Phoebe Papavasiliou
  • Antonio Rivera (Chemistry)

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.

  • Farah Hasanain
  • Matty Liu
  • Kaylin Maher
  • Simon Moss
  • Hayen Myers
  • Venessa Ochieng
  • Kavya Panjwani
  • Mia Wichman

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.

  • Abigail Oduro
  • Jai Tavera

The Peterson Prize

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

  • Chandni Ravindan
  • Meagan MacDonald (Chemistry)
  • Alex Hinbest

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.

  • Simon Moss

Melnick Travel Grant

  • The Holmes Lab
  • Kavya Panjwani
  • Jai Tavera
  • Furuzon Atobekova
  • Flora Wang
  • Abigail Oduro
  • Scarlett Albertson
  • Jingling Liu
  • Jamie Willoughby
  • Brandon Wong

External and Organizational Prizes

Barry Goldwater Fellowship

  • Miki Lynch