Eighteen high achievers were honored at this year’s Anatomy and Cell Biology Spring Awards Ceremony held on Friday, May 03, 2023. These students began the year with the same opportunities as all other students, but through a strong commitment and a desire to learn, proved to be outstanding students. They were selected by the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology faculty teaching teams to receive these awards based on superior academic achievement.
Michael W. Finkelstein Award for Superior Achievement in Dental Histology:
The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology presents this award annually to a first-year dental student who demonstrates high scholastic achievement in histology, together with particular dedication to those ideals of scholarship and professionalism exemplified by the late Professor Michael Finkelstein during his tenure as Professor of Oral Pathology, and Anatomy and Cell Biology. Dr. Finkelstein’s death is deeply felt by his family, his friends and his colleagues, and the many students he mentored and inspired over the course of his distinguished career.
Award Winner: Reuban Lucero
Award Presenter: Dr. Darren Hoffmann
Award for Superior Achievement in Human Anatomy for Advanced Practice Nursing:
This award is presented to the Nursing Anesthesia student whose performance is judged outstanding by members of the faculty teaching Human Anatomy for Advanced Practice Nursing.
Award Winner: Kiana Stender
Award Presenter: Dr. Kathy Andersen
Superior Academic Achievement in the Anatomical Sciences, MCA Program:
This award is presented to the MCA student who has demonstrated superior academic performance in the core anatomical sciences during the first year of the Master of Clinical Anatomy program. In addition, the student will have played a key role in the promoting a collaborative environment for group learning
Award Winners: Zach Erickson and Willow Schanz
Award Presenter: Dr. Marc Pizzimenti
Award for Superior Achievement in Human Anatomy for Physical Therapists:
This award is presented to the first-year Physical Therapy student or graduate student whose performance is judged outstanding by members of the faculty teaching Human Anatomy for Physical Therapists.
Award Winner: Nick Marnin
Award Presenter: Dr. Kathy Anderson
Award for Superior Achievement in Advanced Human Anatomy for Athletic Trainers:
This award is presented to the Athletic Training student whose performance is judged outstanding by members of the faculty teaching Advanced Human Anatomy for Athletic Trainers.
Award Winner: Adrianna Symicek
Award Presenter: Dr. Martine Dunnwald
Award for Superior Achievement in Student Teaching in Anatomy and Cell Biology:
This award is presented to the graduate student in Anatomy and Cell Biology whose teaching performance is judged outstanding by the course directors in the Department.
Award Winners: Bill Milanick and Mark Li
Award Presenter: Dr. Chuck Yeaman
Tung-Yang Wing Award for Superior Achievement in Anatomy and Cell Biology Graduate Education:
This award is presented annually to an Anatomy and Cell Biology graduate student in recognition of outstanding research achievement during the past year of Anatomy and Cell Biology graduate education. The award is named in honor of the late Dr. Tung-Yang Wing, who was a member of the Anatomy faculty from August 1983 until his untimely death in April 1985. Dr. Wing is remembered for his intense interest in the development and academic achievements of the Anatomy and Cell Biology graduate students
Award Winner: Dan Su
Award Presenter: Dr. Brad Amendt
Henry J. Prentiss Award for Superior Achievement in Medical Gross Anatomy:
The Henry J. Prentiss Award is given to the first-year medical student whose performance is judged outstanding by members of the faculty teaching Medical Gross Anatomy. The students selected will have demonstrated skill in dissection, knowledge of the subject matter, and will have played a leadership role in enhancing the cooperative efforts of his/her dissecting partners.
Award Winner: Luben Deng
Award Presenter: Dr. Marc Pizzimenti
W.R. Ingram Award for Superior Achievement in Functional Neuroanatomy:
This award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding performance by a student in the Functional Neuroanatomy Course. Dr. Walter R. Ingram served as Head of the Department of Anatomy from 1940-1966 and was Professor Emeritus at the time of his death in 1978. Dr. Ingram was a pioneer in anatomical and functional research regarding the hypothalamus and thalamus, a superb illustrator, and teacher of the anatomy of the brain. His work here at Iowa resulted in a more detailed understanding of the motor structure of the thalamus and midbrain. Dr. Ingram received many honors and awards during his tenure as educator and scientist.
Award Winner: Erica Feenstra--Dr. Richard Shields, DEO and Professor of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science accepted the award.
Award Presenter: Dr. Justin Sipla
Mary J.C. Hendrix Graduate Leadership Award:
This award recognizes a senior graduate student in Anatomy and Cell Biology for exceptional contributions to the Department and to students over a sustained period, including excellence and devotion to teaching, leadership in student governance and promotion of student and faculty goodwill, all coupled with outstanding personal performance in research. This award honors Mary J.C. Hendrix, former Kate Daum Research Professor & Head of Anatomy and Cell Biology, under whose selfless, creative leadership the Department and Graduate Program prospered, 1996-2003.
Award Winner: Danielle Talbot
Award Presenter: Dr. Chuck Yeaman
Postdoctoral Superior Achievement in Research Award:
This award is presented to an Anatomy and Cell Biology postdoctoral fellow in recognition of outstanding research achievement in the past year.
Award Winner: Dr. Michelle Giedt
Award Presenter: Dr. Chuck Yeaman
Excellence in Research/Teaching/Capstone, MCA Program:
This award is presented to the student who has excelled in research, teaching, or capstone during the Master of Clinical Anatomy program. Their work demonstrates the richness of anatomy through a highly integrated understanding of the anatomical science that has led to advancement of the field, a positive impact on learners, and/or promoted the anatomical sciences in a positive light.
Award Winners: Willow Schanz and Nora Bersellam
Award Presenter: Dr. Emma Handler
Award for Superior Achievement in Dental Gross Anatomy:
This award is presented to first-year dental students whose performance is judged outstanding by members of the faculty teaching Dental Gross Anatomy.
Award Winner: Reuban Lucero
Award Presenter: Dr. Darren Hoffmann
Ishan and Adil Jain Junior Scholar Travel Awards
This award is presented to the student who has excelled in research, teaching, or capstone during the Master of Clinical Anatomy program. Their work demonstrates the richness of anatomy through a highly integrated understanding of the anatomical science that has led to advancement of the field, a positive impact on learners, and/or promoted the anatomical sciences in a positive light.
Award Winners: Brenna Powers and Anna Ramsey
Award Presenter: Dr. Lori Wallrath