Outstanding Students: College of Science

The faculty of the College of Science recognizes the following students for outstanding academic achievement and co-curricular involvement, such as leadership, community service, and undergraduate research.

Seniors

Actuarial Science

Evan Voris

Actuarial Science, Applied Statistics

Biological Sciences

Claire Marie Wolfer-Jenkins

Neurobiology & Physiology

Chemistry

Wyatt Crain

Chemistry and Environmental Geoscience

Computer Science

Anish Kambhampati

Computer Science

Data Science

Shrinivas Venkatesan

Interdisciplinary Science and Applications in Data Science

Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences

Lauren Johnson

Mathematics

Aaron Boes

Computer Science Honors and Mathematics Honors

Physics and Astronomy

Jordan Gaines

Computer Science Honors and Physics Honors

Statistics

Lingzhu Yu

Mathematics and Statistics with a Math Emphasis

Outstanding Underclassmen

Upperclassmen

Artificial Intellegence

Zheng Hua “Louis” Tan

Juniors

Actuarial Science	Linus Denny
Biological Sciences	Nehemiah Boyd
Chemistry	Maddie Flowers
Computer Science	Soham Jog
Data Science	Olivia Lund
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences	Natalie Farlow
Mathematics	Joshua Culver
Physics and Astronomy	Stephen Reeves
Statistics	Joe Van Valer

Sophomores

Actuarial Science	Isabella DeLeon
Biological Sciences	Aadya Pandey
Chemistry	Katherine Zwiener
Computer Science	Sreekar Gudipati
Data Science	Ramya Rajaram
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences	Kaia Wright
Mathematics	Jordan Larson
Physics and Astronomy	Ishaan Singh
Statistics	Elliott Shi

First Year

Actuarial Science	Gwen Keller
Biological Sciences	Karthik Varigonda
Chemistry	Ellie Murotani
Computer Science	Yikai Liu
Data Science	Hari Sai Harish
Mathematics	Caitlin Moseley
Physics and Astronomy	Priya Mishra
Statistics	Alice Zhang

Science Ambassadors Graduating Seniors

The Science Ambassadors are a select group of undergraduates who represent the College of Science and the undergraduate science experience to prospective students and families, and other entities, including the Dean’s Leadership Council and College of Science Alumni Board.

Megan Janke, Actuarial Science
Lucas Zalewski, Biochemistry
Allison Peterson, Biological Sciences and Science Education
Kaitlyn Ying, Biological Sciences, Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology
Brayden Bracket, Computer Science
Charles Menard, Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

Science Data Managers Graduating Seniors

The Science Student Data Managers are a select group of undergraduates who represent the College of Science and the College of Science Data Manager in helping support and update reports for the college and its departments.

Pranav Nag, Mathematical Sciences and Statistics

Purdue Science Student Council Graduating Seniors

The Purdue Science Student Council provides academically-oriented services and promotes professional growth opportunities to students in the College of Science.

Sophia Benjemia, Chemistry
Rianna Deckowitz, Planetary Sciences
Samantha Maari, Biological Sciences
Valentina Micolisin, Biological Sciences
Allison Peterson, Biological Sciences and Science Education
Rebekah Stryjewski, Chemistry
Kaitlynn Tran, Statistics and Actuarial Science
Caroline Zu, Chemistry

Learning Beyond the Classroom Graduating Seniors

The Learning Beyond the Classroom Certificate Program is a way for students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations. Students learn to negotiate multiple cultures, develop confidence as professionals, view themselves in new ways, prioritize tasks, navigate the world, and pursue life-long learning. The certificate is awarded when students complete activities in three categories (career and professional development, service, citizenship and leadership and experience with domestic and international diversity) and is noted on their official Purdue transcript.

Aayushi Akhouri, Data Science
Faris Iyas Khali Amarneh, Biological Sciences
Julia Dassel, Biological Sciences
Bailey Davis, Biological Sciences and Psychological Sciences
Indiraa Doraivel, Biological Sciences
Isabella Ford, Biological Sciences
Joshua Friedman, Physics Honors and Mathematics
Mason Giacchetti, Physics Honors and Mathematics
Kaitlyn Gregerson, Biological Sciences and Psychological Sciences
Jacey Hoopingarner, Biological Sciences and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Claire Lang, Biological Sciences
Sydney Ludwig, Biological Sciences
Megan Martin, Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics
Jack Morehouse, Biological Sciences
Thanh Nguyen, Biological Sciences
Sheila Patel, Biological Sciences
Allison Peterson, Biological Sciences and Science Education
Audrey Shea, Chemistry
Shatakshi Shelar, Data Science and Applied Statistics
Serena Shughoury, Biological Sciences
Dean Stornello, Biological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering
Angelika Torres-Muniz, Biological Sciences and Sociology
Daria Tsoneva, Chemistry
Maureen VanMatre, Chemistry
Landon Wence, Chemistry
Morgan Wetzel, Biological Sciences
Claire Marie Wolfer-Jenkins, Biological Sciences
Genna Yavaraski, Computer Science, Data Science, and Applied Statistics
Kaitlyn Ying, Biological Sciences, Cell Development
Caroline Zu, Biochemistry

Bridging Cultures Award

The Bridging Cultures Award is presented to student leaders from the Global Science Partners Program---a program dedicated to helping students become interculturally competent. These students have demonstrated the ability to bridge cultural gaps between themselves and others --- shifting perspectives, attuning emotions and adapting their behavior in respectful and appropriate ways.

Faris Iyas Khali Amarneh, Biological Sciences
Wyatt Crain, Chemistry and Environmental Geoscience
Khushi Duggal, Biological Sciences
Rygel Ginete, Data Science
Wyatt Kenyon, Chemistry
Amiyah Robinson, Chemistry

Purdue Indianapolis Golden Hammer Award

In its inaugural year (2025), the Golden Hammer Award will recognize the top twenty undergraduate students in Indianapolis who have holistically excelled at accruing collegiate experiences that represent the pillars of our Purdue community: integrity, respect, honor, innovation, and growth.

Nikhil Dhoka, Computer Science
Lina Im, Computer Science

Purdue Indianapolis Golden Hammer Innovation Award

The Golden Hammer Award for Innovation will recognize the top two students from each college who have made exceptional contributions in innovation while studying at Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Gregory Harner, Computer Science
Ruthu Shankar, Computer Science

Promoting Career Development Award

Students promote career development to peers while using this opportunity to develop themselves professionally. Professional growth occurs by working independently, generating new ideas, and implementing these ideas through career programming, career education, and career resources.

Shatakshi Shelar, Data Science and Applied Statistics

Championing Diversity Award

The Championing Diversity Award is given to students who have been active participants in the programs sponsored by the Science Diversity Office over several years of their career at Purdue. Through participation in these programs they have enriched the experience of their classmates by ensuring that all students have the opportunity to be educated in a more diverse environment. They have grown personally and professionally by taking leadership roles within the College of Science.

Sarah Alvarez, Biochemistry
Marianna Chicas, Chemical Biology & Biochemistry
Uyai-Abasi Edet, Neurobiology & Physiology
Viviana Galindo, Health and Disease
Roman Landfair, Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology
Jadon Leal, Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics
Santiago Lopez, Mathematics and Physics Honors
Jasmeen Maples, Genetics
Alexandria Martin, Biochemistry
Maria Morales, Biology
Marissa Munoz, Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Francisco Nieves, Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics
Bryan Reyes, Ecology, Evolution, & Environmental Biology
Anna Seebold, Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology
Bryson Smith, Computer Science
Kaitlynn Tran, Statistics and Actuarial Science

Faculty Awards

Top Undergraduate Teacher

Each year, science undergraduate students are polled by the Science Student Council to select a faculty member whose teaching has had the greatest impact on science majors.

Hannah Starr, Assistant Professor of Practice, Chemistry

Excellence in Instruction Award for Lecturers

Kuan-Hua (Joe) Chen - Mathematics

Science Scholars

The mission of Scholars Programs is to maximize scholars’ potential by providing an overarching, campus-wide initiative supported by college specific programming. Through research-based programmatic components- such as scholarly identity development, undergraduate research activities, study abroad and internship opportunities, peer mentoring, faculty mentoring- the Scholars Program will maximize a Scholar’s potential while at Purdue University, preparing them for their next giant leap.

Gisselle Cordoba, Neurology & Physiology
Vaneli Crespo-Cruz, Biology
Luis Cruz Portillo, Actuarial Science and Applies Statistics
Clayton Cullers, Biochemistry
Julian Fernandez, Actuarial Science and Applies Statistics
Drew Fishbough, Data Science
Daniel Garcia, Planetary Sciences and Applications in Data Science
Destin Gentillon, Environmental Geoscience
Alma Lopez Linan, Mathematics
Renee McTume, Mathematics/Statistics with Math Emphasis
Marco Monrouzeau, Atmospheric Science
Juan Olivencia, Computer Science
Emileo Peraltam, Environmental Geoscience
Cierra Surita, Biology
Cynthia Vazquez, Biology
Felipe Villeda, Actuarial Science and Applies Statistics

College of Science Student Worker Graduating Seniors

Jasmeen Maples, Biological Sciences, Genetics
Pranav Nag, Mathematical Sciences and Statistics

Women in Science Program Graduating Seniors

Rosemary Ajish, Computer Science
Lauren Bell, Mathematics
Faith Bergin, Physics
Caitlin Birthright, Biochemistry
Isabel Chalfant, Data Science
Elisa Chen, Computer Science
Bianca Cortez, Biology
Lexi Dunwoody, Biology
Marygrace Fagan, Applied Mathematics
Alexandra Glaws, Biology
Saloni Gupte, Neurobiology & Physiology
Jordan Hunter, Genetics
Japleen Kaur, Computer Science
Bethany Kettleborough, Environmental Geoscience
Madison Mercer, Chemistry
Lean Montgomery, Environmental Geoscience
Anushka Nilangekar, Computer Science
Caroline Packee, Biology
Emily Raine, Genetics
Raja Darshini Rajamani, Mathematics and Business
Mackenzie Souchon, Biochemistry
Grace Stanton, Microbiology
Jharna Suresh, Computer Science
Cora Tolan, Biology
Olivia Vigilante, Microbiolgy
Megan Webb, Biochemistry
Ira Welankar, Computer Science

Student Success Stories

Selected by the Science Student Success team and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Affairs, these students exemplify the range of experiences and opportunities provided to undergraduate students in the College of Science. As graduating seniors, they share their stories to inspire and motivate others.

Dean Stornello