Each year, the BCMB department recognizes outstanding graduate students who have excelled in research and teaching. A reception will be held at Calhoun’s on the River, May 8, 2025.

The award & fellowship winners will be notified via email. The winner’s names will be posted on the BCMB webpage after the awards ceremony.

Applications are due by midnight on Friday, April 4, 2025 to Chrissy Wills-Maples. Materials can be delivered to the BCMB office (Room 309, Ken & Blaire Mossman Bldg.) or emailed to rwills@utk.edu.  Please do not apply to more than three (3) awards/fellowships.

These awards/fellowships are for BCMB graduate students only, except the Ray Holton Plant Science Award.

Biochemistry Alumni Graduate Assistant Award (2 awards, $1,500 each)

This award was established by a former faculty member and department head of the Biochemistry Department, Ken Monty. This award is given annually to a BCMB graduate student that shows excellence both in research scholarship as well as in teaching activities. The application for this award should include: a statement summarizing both research and teaching activities and accomplishments, two letters of recommendation from faculty or instructors that also comment on research as well as teaching accomplishments, and the student’s CV.

David and Becky Eaker Graduate Student Award ($2,000)

This award was established by the children of David and Becky Eaker to support a graduate student’s professional development. The graduate student should submit no more than one page on how this award will advance their professional development. In addition, they need a recommendation letter form their faculty member and a copy of their CV.

Dr. Ray Holton Plant Science Award (2 awards/$2,500 each)

This award recognizes a PhD student working in the plant sciences area who demonstrates excellence in scholarship and research. The application for this award should include a letter indicating interest in and accomplishments demonstrating worthiness for receipt of the award. It should be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the mentor as well as one from an additional committee member, and the student’s CV.

The Holton Award is available to students from other Biology Units conducting research in the Plant Sciences.

Lizzie Howell Graduate Student Award ($1,000)

Dr. Elizabeth Howell was long time faculty member in the BCMB department. This award was set up by her family in her honor and memory. This award has been developed to help support professional development to current graduate students in the BCMB department. The graduate student should submit no more than one page on how this award will advance their professional development. In addition, they need a recommendation letter from their faculty member and a copy of their CV. Preference given to female graduate students.

W. Sherman Kouns Excellence in Teaching Award (2 awards, $3,000 each)

This award honors an outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in the BCMB department who demonstrates a commitment to teaching and a distinguished record in this role. The application for this award should include a letter indicating interest in and accomplishments demonstrating worthiness for receipt of this award. It should include teaching evaluations and letters of recommendation from two different faculty for whom the applicant has served as a teaching assistant, and the student’s CV.

Graduate Students applying to the following fellowships need to be at least a 2^nd year student and graduating December 2025 or later. These fellowships will be distributed through the Financial Aid Office; ½ distributed in Fall and ½ in the Spring.

Ranjan & Nivedita Ganguly Fellowship ($1,000)

This fellowship was established in memory of Dr. Nivedita (Nita) Ganguly, the wife of BCMB Emeritus Faculty member, Dr. Ranjan Ganguly. This was established to help graduate students who are pursuing an interest in molecular and genetic research, while showing excellence in academic endeavors, productive research, and outstanding professional promise. Preference given to applicants who maintain a 3.5 GPA. Must be pursuing BCMB graduate degree. Financial need may be considered. Applicants must submit a letter summarizing their accomplishments in these areas, a CV and a letter of support from mentor and proof of current GPA.

Robert and Nell Keenan Bioscience Fellowship (2 awards, $3,500 each):

This award recognizes a graduate student pursuing a major in BCMB. The Keenan’s wished to promote biological science studies. The BCMB student needs to show excellence in academic endeavor, productive research scholarship, and outstanding professional promise. The student shall have demonstrated academic excellence with a 3.5 GPA or above and must maintain this GPA to retain the fellowship. Preference is to be given to students from Davidson, Warren or Williamson County, Tennessee. The applicant will need to submit a letter summarizing their accomplishments in these areas, a CV, two letters of support from faculty recommenders, and proof of current GPA.

Dr. Cynthia B. Peterson Fellowship ($1,500)

Recognizes a graduate student pursuing a major in BCMB. The BCMB student needs to show excellence in academic endeavor, productive research scholarship, and outstanding professional promise. The student shall have demonstrated academic excellence with a 3.5 GPA or above and must maintain this GPA to retain the fellowship. The applicant will need to submit a letter summarizing their accomplishments in these areas, a CV, and two letters of support from faculty recommenders and proof of current GPA.

Ms. Katherine Ann Wallace Fellowship (2 awards/$4,000 each)

Ms. Katherine Ann Wallace bequeathed to the BCMB department funds to establish a fellowship to support graduate students. She attended night school to receive her degree in 1977 from “UT” Nashville.  To receive this fellowship, a BCMB graduate student must be in good standing, has demonstrated academic excellence with a 3.0 GPA or above and has shown leadership in the department, the college or the discipline. Leadership involves influencing and guiding individuals or groups towards a common goal and is crucial for organizational success.  Applicants should submit one-page letter summarizing their accomplishments as a leader and the impact their leadership had. 

James and Dora Wright Fellowship ($1,000)

This fellowship recognizes a graduate student in the BCMB program who demonstrates leadership and excellence in scholarship and research. The application for this award should include a letter indicating interest in and accomplishments demonstrating worthiness for receipt of the award. It should be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the mentor as well as one from an additional committee member, and the student’s CV. James and Dora Wright Fellowship recipients include: