Alexander Bechtel (left), Mercedes Hanlon (middle), and Kassidy Beane (right) participated in the poster board competition as part of the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences’ inaugural Science Reception. (Photo provided by Steve Buhman.)
May 13, 2026
SIU holds inaugural Science Reception to recognize outstanding students and faculty
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences at Southern Illinois University Carbondale held its inaugural Science Reception at the Gower Translational Research Center on April 30. Around 200 attendees enjoyed the evening, which included a reception, happy hour and awards ceremony.
The reception recognized outstanding undergraduate and graduate students for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Dipanjan Mazumdar, interim associate dean for academic and student affairs and associate professor in the School of Physics and Applied Physics, said the idea for the reception was inspired by the longstanding All Ag Banquet, which celebrated its 74th year in February.
“This was the first time having a reception to honor all of our amazing science students and ambassadors,” he said.
Saluki Science Ambassadors
The awards ceremony began by highlighting the 2026 graduating Saluki Science Ambassadors. The Saluki Science Ambassador program is an integral part of student recruitment efforts. Participants are divided into four committees: campus visits, community outreach, digital engagement and school visits. This year’s seniors in the Saluki Science Ambassadors program include:
- Trevor Addotta, bachelor’s degree in biological sciences
- Ananiah Barbee, bachelor’s degree in horticulture
- Teagan Hinds, bachelor’s degree in biological sciences
- Avie Jones, campus visits coordinator, bachelor’s degree in physiology
- Prisha Kittu, bachelor’s degree in physiology
- Kiley Knoll, school visits coordinator, bachelor’s degree in physiology
- Sarah Rafferty, community outreach coordinator, bachelor’s degree in physiology
- Ben Weyer, digital engagement coordinator, bachelor’s degree in physiology
2026 Outstanding Saluki Science Ambassador
This is the first year for the Outstanding Saluki Science Ambassador Award. The committee coordinators unanimously selected Sidney Raymer. The junior served as a member of the school visits committee and was highly dedicated to reaching out to high schools across Southern Illinois to schedule classroom visits. On top of this, Raymer attended the visits and carried out hands-on experiments with the high school students.
“Sidney has been a part of the Saluki Science Ambassador program for a few years now and has been really great to work with,” said Hope Budny-Clymer, coordinator of student transition and success. “This year, she met with high school students on and off campus to share about academic opportunities in the sciences at SIU while leading engaging science experiments. Experiences like this help build interest in our university with local students.”
Raymer, who is studying geography and environmental resources, also participated extensively in events at SIU such as the Science Preview Day and Saluki Science Ambassadors’ Science Day, where she ran several experiment sessions for prospective students. Next year, she will continue to serve as a Saluki Science Ambassador, while filling a new role as digital engagement coordinator.
2025 Lincoln Laureate Award
Marsden Fisher earned a spotlight during the ceremony after winning the 2025 Lincoln Laureate Award. Each fall, an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, recognizing leadership, service and overall excellence in academics and extracurriculars. Erin Perry, a professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences, nominated Fisher for this prestigious award.
The graduating senior, who earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology, serves as the executive officer of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and has held many president and vice president roles in registered student organizations including the SIU Backpacking Club; SIU Students Embracing Nature, Sustainability, and Environmentalism (SENSE); and The Wildlife Society.
In addition to those roles, she has also served on the Sustainability Council as one of three students and has been the student chair for the Green Fund Grant Committee. Fisher is now commissioned as a second lieutenant and received an educational delay to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After earning her doctoral degree, she will serve for at least seven years of active duty in the U.S. Army.
SIU Alumni – Outstanding Student Achievement
Alek Abell concluded the individual student recognitions during the Science Reception. He was awarded the SIU Alumni – Outstanding Student Achievement Award. Abell, a senior majoring in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry on the pre-health professions track, is an active Student Alumni Council member. He participates in a variety of initiatives designed to strengthen connections between students, alumni and the community, and he is involved in Timmy Global Health and the Pre-Health Professions Association.
Beyond campus, Abell is deeply engaged in both healthcare and research. He works as a student-certified medical assistant at the Center for Medical Arts in Carbondale and conducts research in the Nafisa Jadavji Lab, studying how genetics and nutrition influence the brain’s response to low oxygen, using fruit flies as a model. This research aims to advance understanding of conditions such as stroke and neurodegeneration. Abell also volunteers with St. Francis Xavier Church, the Murphysboro Knights of Columbus and various local outreach events.
University Scholar Excellence Award
The ceremony highlighted one faculty member, Jim Garvey, who was selected for the University Scholar of Excellence Award. Garvey serves as director for the Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences and is a professor in the Department of Zoology. Beyond his faculty role, he advises the Saluki Reefers, the first and only marine biology club at the university.
Garvey is active in the American Fisheries Society at both the national and regional levels and is a member of several other societies including the Ecological Society of America. He also serves on several federal and state advisory committees. He has been an associate editor for the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society and has numerous peer-reviewed publications in applied and basic journals and recently published a book on trophic ecology. Current research projects revolve around river and lake fish ecology and management.
Three-Minute Thesis Awards
Three master’s students were honored during the ceremony after winning the Three-Minute Thesis competition in January.
- First place: Katherine Parker, microbiology master’s student, thesis focused on bacteria found in Southern Illinois coal mines.
- Second place: Mason Cole Beard, microbiology master’s student, thesis focused on a microbe that breaks down plastics for everyday uses.
- Third place: Audrey Afua Foriwaa Adjei, agribusiness economics master’s student, thesis focused on how macroeconomic factors influence the price of corn, wheat and soybeans in the U.S.
Poster Awards
Both undergraduate and graduate students were encouraged to create posters showcasing their research. Nearly 50 boards were on display before the reception so attendees could learn more about the high-level projects taking place in the college. The awards were sponsored by Laurie Achenbach, the former dean of the college.
Undergraduate winners:
- First place: Katherine Herzog, junior, bachelor’s degree in microbiology
- Second place: Benjamin Holtsclaw, sophomore, bachelor’s degree in chemistry
- Third place: Santonio Resonno, graduating senior, bachelor’s degree in zoology
Graduate winners:
- First place: Bhagya Jayantha, doctorate’s degree in microbiology and biochemical molecular biology
- Second place: Pradip Bhattarai, doctorate’s degree in applied physics
- Third place: Dushmantha Gusthigngnhadurage, doctorate’s degree in applied physics