Each year, the Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) recognizes outstanding graduate students who have excelled in research and teaching. A reception will be held at Calhoun’s on the River on May 7, 2026.

The award winners will be announced at the BCMB Awards Ceremony, and their names will be posted on the BCMB webpage following the event.

Applications are due by midnight on Monday, April 6, 2026, and should be submitted to Reagan Strang. Materials may be delivered to the BCMB office (Room 309, Ken & Blaire Mossman Building) or emailed to (rstrang4@utk.edu). Graduate students should not apply for more than three (3) awards or fellowships.

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

Biochemistry Alumni Graduate Assistant Award ($1,500*)

*2 awards will be given at $1,500 each

This award was established by former Biochemistry Department faculty member and department head Ken Monty. It is given annually to a BCMB graduate student who demonstrates excellence in both research and teaching. Applications should include:

1. The student’s CV.
2. A statement summarizing the students’ research and teaching activities and accomplishments.
3. Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or instructors that address the student’s achievements in both research and teaching.

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

This award was established by the children of David and Becky Eaker to support the professional development of a graduate student. Applicants should submit:

1. A copy of their CV.
2. A statement of no more than one page describing how the award will advance their professional development.
3. A letter of recommendation from their faculty mentor.

Ray Holton Plant Science Award ($2,500* each)

*2 awards will be given at $2,500 each

This award recognizes a PhD student working in the plant sciences who demonstrates excellence in scholarship and research. Applications should include:

1. A letter describing the student’s interest in the award and highlighting accomplishments that demonstrate their qualifications.
2. A letter of recommendation from the students’ mentor and an additional letter from another committee member.
3. The student’s CV.

The Holton is available to students from other Biology units conducting research in the Plant Sciences. If award is given to a student outside BCMB, you will be contacted via email.

Lizzie Howell Graduate Student Award ($1,000)

Elizabeth Howell was a long-time faculty member in the BCMB department. This award was established by her family in honor and memory of her and is intended to support the professional development of current graduate students in the BCMB department. Applicants must submit:

1. A statement of no more than one page describing how the award will advance their professional development.
2. One letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
3. A copy of their CV.

Preference will be given to female graduate students.

The Kouns Excellence in Teaching Award ($3,000*)

*2 awards will be given at $3,000 each

This award honors an outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in the BCMB department who demonstrates a strong commitment to teaching and an exemplary record in this role. Applications should include:

1. The student’s CV.
2. A letter describing the applicant’s interest in the award and highlighting accomplishments that demonstrate their qualifications.
3. Teaching evaluations.
4. Letters of recommendation from two different faculty members for whom the applicant has served as a teaching assistant.

Graduate students applying for the following fellowships must be at least in their second year and have an expected graduation date of December 2025 or later. These fellowships will be administered through the Financial Aid Office, with half awarded in the Fall semester and half in the Spring semester.

Ranjan & Nivedita Ganguly Fellowship ($1,000)

This fellowship was established in memory of Dr. Nivedita (“Nita”) Ganguly, wife of BCMB Emeritus Faculty member Dr. Ranjan Ganguly. It is intended to support graduate students pursuing research in molecular and genetic fields who demonstrate academic excellence, strong research productivity, and exceptional professional promise. Preference will be given to applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who are enrolled in a BCMB graduate program. Financial need may also be taken into consideration. Applications should include:

1. A copy of their CV
2. A letter summarizing their accomplishments in the areas described above
3. A letter of support from their mentor
4. Proof of current GPA

Robert and Nell Keenan Bioscience Fellowship ($3,500*):

*2 fellowships will be awarded at $3,500 each

This fellowship was established to recognize graduate students pursuing a major in BCMB. The Keenans aimed to promote studies in the biological sciences.

Applicants must demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, productive research scholarship, and outstanding professional promise. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and maintain this GPA to retain the fellowship. Applications should include:

1. A letter summarizing the students’ accomplishments in these areas.
2. Two letters of support from faculty recommenders.
3. Proof of current GPA.
4. The student’s CV.

Preference is to be given to students from Davidson, Warren or Williamson County, Tennessee. 

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

This fellowship was created by a former BCMB department head Dr. Cynthia Peterson to recognize a graduate student pursuing a major in BCMB. Applicants must demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, productive research scholarship, and outstanding professional promise. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and maintain this GPA to retain the fellowship. Application materials should include:

1. The student’s CV.
2. A letter summarizing accomplishments in the above areas.
3. Two letters of support from faculty recommenders.
4. Proof of current GPA.

Ms. Katherine Ann Wallace Fellowship ($4,000*)

*2 awards will be given at $4,000 each

Ms. Katherine Ann Wallace bequeathed funds to the BCMB department to establish a fellowship supporting graduate students. She earned her degree from “UT” Nashville through night school in 1977. To be eligible, a BCMB graduate student must be in good standing, demonstrate academic excellence with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and show leadership within the department, college, or discipline. Leadership is defined as the ability to influence and guide individuals or groups toward a common goal. Applicants should submit:

1. The student’s CV.
2. A one-page letter summarizing their leadership accomplishments and the impact of their leadership.
3. Two letters of support from faculty recommenders.
4. Proof of current GPA.

James and Dora Wright Fellowship ($1,000)

This fellowship recognizes a BCMB graduate student who demonstrates leadership and excellence in scholarship and research. Applications should include:

1. The student’s CV.
2. A letter describing the applicant’s interest in the award and highlighting accomplishments that demonstrate their qualifications.
3. A letter of recommendation from the students’ mentor, as well as one from an additional committee member.