2025
Undergraduate Student Awards:
- Outstanding Student Service & Outreach Award: Marlen De Jesus
Marlen has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to outreach and community building, including going out of her way to welcome all to Astronomy Club events and observation nights. As president of the Women in Physics club, Marlen created a supportive and inclusive space for women and gender minorities in STEM. She also independently coordinated a visit from physics students at Merced College to spend the day on campus and attend the physics colloquium. Her leadership and care have had a meaningful impact on her peers.
- Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award: Steven Umbarger
Steven has demonstrated an outstanding blend of curiosity, focus, and professionalism in his undergraduate research. His thesis, Illuminating Star Clusters: Simulations, Observations, and Accessibility, and recent presentation include work in the Loebman group at UC Merced and the GuhaThakurta and Hinz group at UC Santa Cruz, focusing on comparing ground-based and space-based images as well as analyzing simulations of star clusters. He created three-dimensional models of star clusters to visualize and analyze their structure and went a step further by 3D printing these models to enhance accessibility and engagement for broader audiences.
- Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award: James Foot
James has carried out exceptional work in the Kleckner lab, rebuilding a complicated apparatus to more rapidly and reliably inject and align samples into microfluidic system to observe self-assembly of polystyrene particles under optical binding forces. In his recent thesis, Modified experimental setup to streamline observation of optical binding effects, he describes this work, greatly improving the usability of the device, which is now poised to produce novel experimental results. This builds on prior work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in particle physics, resulting in a poster on “Digitization of large area pico-second photo detectors” and co-authorship in a recently submitted paper.
Graduate Student Awards:
- Outstanding Graduate Research Award: Patrick Noerr
Patrick graduated in summer 2024 advised by Prof. Kinjal Dasbiswas, with a thesis entitled “Mechanical interactions in biological active filaments and networks.” His thesis represents a significant contribution to our understanding of multicellular organization, demonstrating that network structures can emerge from extracellular matrix-mediated mechanical interactions. His work led to a first-author publication in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences as well as the dean’s dissertation fellowship. His achievements led to his current postdoctoral position at UC San Diego.
- Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award: Matthew Metcalf
Matthew served as a teaching assistant for PHYS 18 and 19 this spring. He was nominated by the course instructors for his diligent work, exceptional dedication to his students, including his taking on additional unforeseen duties because of one instructor’s medical care. He provides excellent feedback to students and contributes to the design of worksheets, exams and other lecture materials, to increase student understanding in the future.
- Outstanding Graduate Student Service & Outreach Award: Maria Perez Mendoza
Maria has shown outstanding dedication and service as the Astronomy Club’s outreach coordinator. Maria played a key role in establishing an Astronomy on Tap chapter in the Central Valley, working closely with Tioga-Sequoia Merced Taproom to ensure the event was well-organized and successful. Maria also helped coordinate this year’s annual trip to Lick Observatory, contributing to both planning and logistics. Despite a busy schedule, she always found time to support the club’s off-campus events and help make them a success.
- Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor Award: Micah Oeur
Micah is a graduate student in the Loebman research group, and co-mentored a physics major this year on his thesis. She is commended for consistently going above and beyond in her role as a mentor. Micah encourages curiosity, explains complex topics, and provides thoughtful feedback to refine writing and presentation skills. She was organized and established clear expectations, in line with best practices for mentoring that she learned through the Cal-Bridge PhD pedagogy program. Micah embodies the qualities of an outstanding mentor and showed she is invested in the success of her mentees.
Faculty/Lecturer/Postdoc Awards:
- Outstanding Teaching Award (Graduate or Undergraduate): Brian Utter
Brian has led efforts to enhance undergraduate teaching in many forms. He developed and delivered the new Physics for future leaders course and led the redesign the PHYS 18 and PHYS 19 lab curricula for life science majors, to make it more engaging and applicable. His mentoring of teaching faculty in the department as well as his contributions to 196 have been exemplary. Finally, as interim dean of undergraduate education, and as chair of general education he continues to spearhead the general education initiative on campus, another major undertaking that benefits the school and campus as a whole.
- Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award: Sarah Loebman
Sarah Loebman has made significant contributions to undergraduate research mentoring while also removing barriers to inclusion for a diversity of students in STEM. She is a very sought after and highly engaged and successful undergraduate research mentor, currently advising six undergraduates on their research . A testament to her mentorship accomplishments is that 7 out of 10 of the undergrads she has worked with for their senior thesis have gone on to graduate school while 3 of the last 5 outstanding graduating senior undergraduates from the department have been from her group.
- Outstanding Graduate Research Mentoring Award: Sayantani Ghosh
Sai Ghosh has been an exceptional graduate mentor, graduating 15 Ph.D. students to date. Her mentorship has brought out the best in her students and propelled them into successful careers ranging from academia to industry. Her students have won prestigious awards and fellowships and have gone onto become faculty members, scientists at national labs and industry scientists at firms like Intel. In addition, in her role as Associate Dean of graduate division, she looks after the interests of graduate students all over campus.
- Outstanding Service & Outreach Award: Kevin Mitchell
Kevin has made enormous service contributions to the department over many years since the campus opened. He was a pioneer in establishing the department and among many other roles, served as chair of the department, headed graduate admissions, served on the SNS executive committee, chaired senate committees including CAPRA and is currently the Chair of the academic senate of UCM.
Staff Awards:
- Outstanding Contributions by a Staff Member: Vanessa Lopez
Vanessa has only been with our department for relatively short time, but she has already become a vital part of everything we do! She keeps the department running smoothly in so many ways, from her more visible work on event planning, seminar and meeting support to a huge amount of behind the scenes work on student hiring and support. Vanessa is such a pleasure to work with and well deserving of this recognition.
2024
Undergraduate & Graduate Student Awards:
- Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award: Biviana Oseguera
For her impactful research on the Radcliffe Wave within the Milky Way and her outstanding academic achievements, which include receiving the prestigious Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Award and being recognized at the American Astronomical Society meeting for compelling science and engaging presentation skills.
- Outstanding Senior Thesis: Izaiah Martinez
Also recognized by SNS as outstanding graduating senior in the physics major.
- Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award: Teddy Adams
For his exceptional commitment by providing special accommodations for students facing various challenges, extending office hours and proctoring exams to accommodate their needs. His proactive support extended to peer counseling for students engaging in academic dishonesty, demonstrating outstanding maturity and leadership.
- Outstanding Graduate Student Service & Outreach Award: Micah Oeur
For her commitment to diversity and equality in physics, for bringing in resources for the EquiTea event and hosting the event this year.
Faculty/Lecturer/Postdoc Awards:
- Outstanding Teaching Award: Dustin Kleckner
For his notable contributions to undergraduate education in designing the freshman SPARK seminar, "Measuring Our Physical World." For his commitment to enhancing the upper-division curriculum by redesigning the second semester of the electromagnetism course and beyond the classroom, for teaching many undergraduate students in research within his lab.
- Outstanding Teaching Award: John Wilson
For his continued excellence in teaching the physics introductory sequence and for transitioning successfully from a former graduate student into a lecturer role.
- Outstanding Mentor Award: Jing Xu
For her hands-on research mentorship in the physics department, especially with undergraduates. Many of her mentees having advancing to prestigious graduate and postbaccalaureate programs often with peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals. Jing's commitment to fostering the research skills of her mentees, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, demonstrates her dedication to inclusive mentorship.
- Outstanding Contribution to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award: David Strubbe
For his multifaceted and impactful contributions to CUWiP, Cal-Bridge, and the DEI Committee and for his efforts in increasing diversity via numerous recruitment efforts.
- Outstanding Service & Outreach Award: Jay Sharping
For his remarkable impact on undergraduate education at UC Merced, demonstrated through his extensive leadership of the Undergraduate Council Committee (UGC) as chair for multiple terms and as a dedicated member, marking an extraordinary and often overlooked contribution to the campus community.
Staff Award:
- Outstanding Staff Member: Shannon Adamson
For her outstanding performance, consistent and effective work with the physics department and instructors on course scheduling, planning and problem solving and her work handling course proposals in Curriculog to help make the physics program run smoothly.
2023
Undergraduate Graduate Student Awards:
- Outstanding Graduating Senior: Nathan Simons
- Outstanding Undergraduate Research: Maria Gamez
- Senior Thesis Award: Christopher Mastandrea
Graduate Student Awards:
- Outstanding Graduate Research: Samuel Erickson
- Outstanding Graduate Teaching: Michael Leveille
- Outstanding Graduate Teaching: Kevin Collins
- Outstanding Graduate Student Service and Outreach: Arabi Seshappan
2022
Undergraduate & Graduate Student Awards:
- Outstanding Graduating Senior Award: Calista Lum
- Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award: Zachary Mauri
- Outstanding Graduate TA Award: Pooja Chopra/Dylan Benton
- Outstanding Graduate Research Award: William Delmas/Enrique Guerrero
- Outstanding Contribution to DEIJ Award: Jenny Quinn
- Outstanding Service & Outreach Award: Micah Oeur & Abhinav Kumar
Faculty/Lecturer/Postdoc Awards:
- Outstanding Teaching Award: Kristina Callaghan
- Outstanding Mentoring Award: Jay Sharping
- Outstanding Contribution to DEIJ Award: Sarah Loebman
- Outstanding Service & Outreach Award: Brian Utter
Staff Awards:
- Outstanding Performance (Academic/Advising): Paul Roberts/Donna Jaramillo Fellin
- Outstanding Performance (Administrative): Tom Martinez
2021
Undergraduate & Graduate Student Awards
- Outstanding Graduating Senior Award: Thomas Virgen
- Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award: Grace Newman, Thomas Virgen
- Outstanding Graduate TA Award: Alauna Wheeler and Davoud Masoumi
- Outstanding Graduate Research Award: William Delmas
- Outstanding Contribution to DEIJ Award: Christina Valletta
- Outstanding Service & Outreach Award: Karla Leon-Aguilar, Niranjan Sarpangala & Ritwika Sugasree
Faculty/Lecturer/Postdoc Awards:
- Outstanding Teaching Award: Toni Stone
- Outstanding Mentoring Award: David Strubbe
- Outstanding Contribution to DEIJ Award: Sayantani Ghosh
Staff Awards:
- Outstanding Performance (Academic/Advising): Jenn Souza
- Outstanding Performance (Administrative): Mariah Gonsalez
