Spring 2013 Award Recipients Announced

The College of Graduate Studies is delighted to announce the three 2013 graduate student award recipients who were recently recognized at the last Graduate Council meeting for AY 2012-13.

Robert R. Buell Memorial Achievement Award: Nneka Mbah

The Robert R. Buell Memorial Achievement Award is presented to a graduate student in any college who best exemplifies scholarly excellence in the physical and biological sciences, has maintained a genuine interest in the social sciences and humanities, and plans a career in education. This year’s recipient of the $1,000 award, Ms. Nneka Mbah, is a 2^nd year doctoral student in the Department of Biochemistry & Cancer Biology in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Her research with Dr. Bill Maltese seeks to gain a better understanding of the molecular basis by which a new class of drugs kills cancerous brain cells by “methuosis”, a non-conventional mechanism. Her long range plans center on returning to Nigeria to bring knowledge of biomedical research to her home country.

Helen M. Fields Memorial Achievement Award: Hasmik Chakaryan

The Helen M. Fields Memorial Achievement Award is presented to a graduate student with an excellent academic record in the field of English or Education. This year’s recipient of the $1,000 award, Ms. Hasmik Chakaryan, is a 3^rd year doctoral student in the Counselor Education & Supervision program.  She is advised by Dr. Nick Piazza and is an active social justice and human rights advocate. She has spent time in Mexico training the staff of eight orphanages in basic counseling skills, and has presented her research on aspects of mental health in Egypt, Armenia and the Ukraine.

Robert N. Whiteford Memorial Scholarship: Ateka Akbar Contractor

The Robert N. Whiteford Memorial Scholarship is presented to a graduate student to assist in research for their thesis, project, or dissertation and further the student’s professional development. This year’s recipient of the $400 scholarship, Ms. Ateka Akbar Contractor, is a 3^rd year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology. Her research with Dr. Jon Elhai focuses on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with a particular focus on the link between PTSD and depression. She has studied patient populations that include the Ohio National Guard and trauma victims from India. She also has served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Psychology.

These students, and the other many nominees, are to be congratulated for their pursuit of excellence in their research endeavors.

Go Rockets!