Recognizing Student Excellence

  • Lavina Backman

    Lavina Backman

    Doris Kuhlmann-Wilsdorf Outstanding Graduate Student Award

    This award recognizes exemplary research contributions and advancement of the materials science and engineering academic mission. Lavina’s Ph.D. research focused on understanding the oxidation mechanisms of high-entropy ultra-high temperature ceramics, a new class of materials, through experiment and thermodynamic calculations. Lavina has been active in the department’s graduate student board and the President’s Council for Student Advisors in the American Ceramic Society.

  • Will Blades

    Will Blades

    Doris Kuhlmann-Wilsdorf Outstanding Graduate Student Award

    Will’s atomic-scale look at the oxidation of nichrome provided insight into the alloy-oxide interface. Will is president of UVA's MRS student chapter; he actively mentors undergrads and earned a fellowship to teach Introduction to Materials Science.

    Read more about Will's research
  • Eric Hoglund

    Eric Hoglund

    Fred D. Rosi Outstanding Citizen Award

    Eric demonstrated leadership and teamwork helping students, faculty and researchers meet their electron microscopy needs and serving as MSA's Student Council Chair. The award also recognizes his academic accomplishments and involvement in the Graduate Student Body of MSE.

    Read about Eric's career path in microscopy
  • Raina Clasen

    Raina Clasen

    Outstanding Engineering Science Student Award

    Raina is graduating this year from a dual degree program. She’s receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Science and Master’s Degree in Teaching from the Curry School.  Following graduation, Raina plans to teach engineering and math in secondary school education. 

  • Katelyn Salotto

    Katelyn Salotto

    Outstanding Engineering Science Student Award

    Katelyn has completed her studies in Engineering Science with a concentration in Nanomedicine.  Following graduation, Katelyn plans to attend medical school. 

    Learn more about Katelyn's search for a cure for melanoma
  • Marcus Dozier

    Marcus Dozier

    Belinda and Chip Blankenship Scholarship

    This $5,000 scholarship encourages students to pursue graduate-level materials science and engineering research to support of U.S. manufacturing, education, and R&D. Marcus is a double major in aerospace engineering and engineering science, with a concentration in materials science and engineering. He works on advanced high-temperature materials, including an independent study on silica growth and crystallization on silicon carbide substrates, and leads an effort to incorporate machine learning in microstructural analysis of ceramic composites for oxidation studies.