April 2: Five grad students to be honored at AFW reception

afw-logo-160PULLMAN, Wash. – Five graduate students will be presented with 2014 Association for Faculty Women awards at a free, public reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in Biotechnology-Life Sciences Building 402 at Washington State University.

AFW has presented the awards since 1995 to outstanding graduate students in recognition of their academic achievements and professional potential.

The social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., the awards presentation at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dinner costs $15; please RSVP by March 31 to Kay Vyhnanek at kayv@wsu.edu or 509-335-9514.

The three winners of the Harriett B. Rigas Award for excellence in doctoral-level studies are:

Faiola-200Celia Faiola, who is studying biosphere-atmosphere interactions with advisor Timothy VanReken. Her research at WSU has produced two first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals with two more in progress.

Her long-term goal is to work at a small public university where she can provide research opportunities to women and minorities who are under-represented in science and engineering research.

Preece-200Ellen Preece, who is addressing water and food safety issues that impact public health with advisor Barry Moore. She presented her work at 16 conferences and wrote numerous reports and papers in peer-reviewed journals.

She recently was elected president of the Washington State Lake Protection Association and plans to continue conducting research that links environmental issues to the protection of human health.

White-200Robin White, who with advisor Kristen Johnson is developing mathematical models to explore how farm management strategies affect sustainability of beef production systems. Her research will result in five peer-reviewed publications and 14 conference papers/posters.

She plans to pursue a career that allows her to research methods to improve global food security.

The two winners of the Founders Award for excellence in master’s-level studies are:

Santos-200Jennifer Santos, who with advisor Viveka Vadyvaloo is investigating the environmental persistence of bubonic plague. In July she will join the medical laboratory scientist program at Providence Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.

Her goals include becoming a teacher in a similar program or at a community college. She would like to make significant contributions to infectious disease research and encourage young people to consider science careers.

Vander WoudeAmanda Vander Woude, who with advisor Sheila Converse is studying the cause and prevention of vocal injuries in modern professional singers. She teaches private and group voice lessons to undergraduates and performs as a soloist and with ensembles at WSU.

After graduation, she plans to audition for professional performances as a singer and apply for doctoral programs in vocal performance and pedagogy.