Awards & Scholarships

Madeleine Tessier-Kay, MPH is the UConn School of Medicine's student speaker for the Class of 2026 Commencement. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

Commencement Student Speaker Spotlight: Madeleine Tessier-Kay

After graduation from UConn medical school on May 11, 2026 Madeleine Tessier-Kay, MPH, is training at Johns Hopkins to be a future dermatologist.

Colin Sheardwright and Krish Buva sit side by side in a lab.

Innovation Quest Selects Five Top Startups, Ranging from Manufacturing Innovation to New Hair-Care Option

The student entrepreneurs impressed the judges with both the quality of their ideas and their dedication to bringing them to market

George Bollas, host of the Entrepreneurial Workshop

UConn Engineering Associate Dean Selected As Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador

Bollas will serve a two-year term sharing his Fulbright experience, mentoring prospective applicants, and advancing international academic collaboration across his professional networks

Post-doc Dr. Pengyu Zong with poster

UConn Post-Doctoral Researchers Win Prestigious NIH Pathway to Independence Awards

Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Flori and Dr. Pengyu Zong of UConn School of Medicine.

Three people sitting side by side as a panel on a TV talk show.

UConn at the United Nations: Undergraduate is Heard on Drug Policy

Husky representation on a global stage: Neha Shanavas '28 urges coalitions worldwide to focus on youth support as a curative measure to the issue of substance misuse

Petra Clark-Dufner, Director, CT AHEC (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).

Governor Lamont Proclaims April 15 as Petra Clark-Dufner Day in Recognition of Statewide Leadership

The proclamation honors her more than three decades of service in strengthening Connecticut’s health professions pipeline and expanding access to health care services in under resourced communities.

Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin Othmer Medal

The Othmer Gold Medal for 2026 Awarded to Sir Cato T. Laurencin of UConn

Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, Ph.D., KCSL, has been named the winner of the 2026 Othmer Gold Medal by the Science History Institute.

Three students posing for a photo inside a building

Three UConn Students Named Goldwater Scholars

The Goldwater Scholarship was established by Congress to honor the late U.S. Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, with the purpose of identifying students of outstanding ability and promise and encouraging them to pursue advanced study and research careers

Two people load donated groceries and other supplies into the back of an SUV.

The Helper

Stephanie Mora Gutierrez ’27 brings dedication and passion to everything she does, from the student experience at UConn to the nonprofit she founded

Michael Raizin

Commencement Student Speaker Spotlight: Michael Raizin

After graduating with his UConn MPH degree on May 11, 2026 Michael is joining the Peace Corps in the Philippines.