Plant Biology award winners

Harold C. and Sonja L. Labinsky Award

This fund was established in 1999 by Harold C. and Sonja L. Labinsky in memory of Harold Labinsky’s father, Carl H. Labinsky, and in honor of Katherine M. Labinsky, Harold Labinsky’s mother. The award is to be used to provide an annual financial gift to one or more students enrolled in the Department of Plant Biology in the College of LAS.

Awardees: Stephanie Cullum, Kithmee De Silva, Yuchen Wang, & Michelle Zambrano

Stephanie Cullum

Kithmee De Silva

Yuchen Wang

Michelle Zambrano

John R. Laughnan Award

These awards were endowed by John’s wife and longtime collaborator, Susan Gabay-Laughnan and his fellow geneticists, friends, and colleagues in part in recognition of John’s co-founding and support of the Annual Maize Meetings. John Laughnan was a member of the faculty of the University of Illinois for most of his career. He was a member of the Department of Botany and served as both its chairman and later its head. He joined the new Department of Genetics and Development but later returned to his previous department, by then called Plant Biology. He developed the original shrunken-2 hybrids responsible for stable sweetness of popular Super-Sweet corn.

Awardees: Natalie Belloso, Meghan Blaszynski, August Lipari, Bram Osterhout, Blaine Martin, Simmi Rana, Ignacio Sparrow Munoz, Grace Magavern, & Yuchen Wang

Natalie Belloso

Meghan Blaszynski

August Lipari

A photo of Bram Osterhout standing with plants behind him

Bram Osterhaut

Blaine Martin

Simmi Rana

Ignacio Sparrow Munoz

Grace Magavern

Yuchen Wang

Govindjee and Rajni Govindjee Award for Excellence in Biological Research

This award was established by Dr. Govindjee and Dr. Rajni Govindjee. Govindjee and Rajni were both UIUC PhD students of Robert Emerson. Govindjee taught at UIUC from 1961-1999 and is known as a pioneer in the area of photosynthesis research. He is currently a Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Plant Biology. Dr. Rajni Govindjee is recognized as a distinguished photobiologist, credited with pioneering research in photosynthesis and photobiology.

Awardee: Kithmee De Silva

I am a graduate student in the Brooks Lab in the Department of Plant Biology. My research focuses on untangling gene regulatory networks to understand how plants integrate environmental signals to coordinate photosynthesis and nitrogen use. This funding will support the addition of an epigenetics component, enabling me to explore deeper layers of genetic regulation.

Dr. Fakhri and Dr. Maarib Bazzaz Plant Biology Fund

This award was established to honor Dr. Fakhri and Dr. Maarib Bazzaz as academics, mentors, and cherished friends by supporting students in the stablished to honor Dr. Fakhri and Dr. Maarib Bazzaz as academics, mentors, and cherished friends by supporting students in the Department of Plant Biology in at the University of Illinois. Department of Plant Biology in at the University of Illinois.

Awardees: Sarah Chung & Lance Jones

Sarah Chung

Lance Jones

Plant Biology Summer Stipend Award

Awardees: Hannah Beddow, August Lipari, Grace Magavern, Sumashini Pagaldevatti, & Allanis Vera Barron

Hannah Beddow

August Lipari

Grace Magavern

Sumashini Pagaldevatti

Allanis Vera Barron

Plant Biology Award for Outstanding Teaching in Plant Biology

Awardee: Sarah Chung

I’m a first-year graduate student in the Burgess Lab. My research focuses on understanding the photosynthetic response of Miscanthus under fluctuating light conditions, with the overarching goal of optimizing photosynthesis and improving bioenergy crop yields in the field. I plan to use this award to support my research and attend conferences, where I can expand my understanding of photosynthesis and share my findings.