Teaching & mentoring award winners
John G. & Evelyn Hartman Heiligenstein Award
These awards, made possible by a gift from John H. Heiligenstein, M.D. ’67, in memory of his parents, honors teaching assistants, recognizing their outstanding contributions in the SIB. Dr. Heiligenstein, a pediatrician and psychiatrist, had three careers in medicine: clinician, academic pediatrician/psychiatrist, and as a pharmaceutical research physician at Eli Lilly and Company.

Winner: Archie-Em Walker

Winner: Grace Magavern

Winner: Annika Bagazinski
Sharon Gray Memorial Award
Dr. Sharon Gray received her BS in Integrative Biology in 2006 and her PhD in Plant Biology at UIUC in 2013. In addition to her outstanding science, she was an exceptional teacher and mentor for undergraduates. The award, established by her husband, Dr. RJ Cody Markelz (BS Integrative Biology 2007, PhD Plant Biology, UIUC, 2012), honors Sharon’s passion for and commitment to mentoring women in science.
The Sharon Gray Memorial Award supports a post-doctoral researcher or graduate student and their undergraduate mentee.

Winner: Rebecca Carranza & Susanne Martin

Winner: Lizzie Bellow & Bolade Abiola-Fagba

Winner: Maria Munoz & Samantha Sanford
College, Campus, and National Teaching & Mentoring Awards

Excellence in Faculty Leadership: Gene Robinson - Campus Executive Officer

Student Success Champion Award Winner: Christina Swanson
ISRP Research Team Leaders

Sam Pring

Michelle Zambrano

Julia Jehn

Marcus Brown
