Each year the Dean of Science in consultation with the department heads decide the recipients of these awards. They were announced at our final Faculty Council meeting of the year.
Sherii Myroshnychenko – Awesome Achievement Award for overall excellence in academic endeavors
Sherii is an Assistant Professor in Math & Stats. He is always willing to help and is a fantastic teacher beloved by his students. He participates in service work with math outreach and events. He is also a member of the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) deliberation committee involved in choosing the candidate to represent UFV Science at this international event. Sherii has also received increased grant money this year to continue his research. It is for these reasons and many more that Sherri received the Awesome Achievement Award!
Marina Tourlakis – Terrific Teaching Award for instructional excellence
Marina is an Assistant Professor in Biology. She has a passion for developing inclusive teaching and mentoring practices. She has collaborated with students to co-develop lab activities and assignments including seeking student support on developing new educational materials to support an anti racist genetics education framework. Her recent student support research project involves investigating the structural implications of disease-causing variants using UCSF Chimera. Marina is collaborative and student focused and for this reason she is this year’s Terrific Teaching Award recipient!
Dina Navon – Remarkable Research for excellence in scientific endeavors
Dina is an Assistant Professor in Biology. Dina has extensive research of the three-spine Stickleback and plasticity. She has been leading and growing research projects and continues to collaborate with undergraduates seeking research options. In addition to fish, evolution, and development, Dina is also extremely enthusiastic about science communication, outreach, and activist work for minoritized populations. Her commitment to research and collaborating with undergraduates makes Dina a worthy recipient of the Remarkable Research Award!
Jake Spooner – Outstanding Outreach for excellence in community outreach events
Jake is an Assistant Professor in Chemistry; but is also a lead judge and ethics manager for the Fraser Valley Science Fair. He also is a key volunteer for our Indigenous Student visits and tours. His commitment and dedication to outreach make Jake a worthy recipient of the year’s Outstanding Outreach award!
Greg Schmaltz – Superb Service for outstanding performance of service duties (Faculty)
Greg’s commitment to the Faculty of Science, particularly in Biology, has been exemplary. He has led as Biology’s department head, earning the respect throughout the department and university. Greg is recognized for his expertise in ornithology research. He is also on many university committees and is always ready to lend a hand. His unwavering dedication to academic excellence in every endeavor makes him a deserving recipient of this year’s Superb Service Award for Faculty!
Stephanie Laframboise – Superb Service for outstanding performance of service duties (Staff)
Stephanie is the Program Technician in Agriculture. She has many years of working in the agricultural industry and our agriculture department could not run without her. She supports the greenhouse and barn operations, managers animal welfare and ensures the department has everything they need to operate. She is passionate about agriculture sustainability, animal welfare, and future food security. Stephanie is our deserving recipient of the Superb Service Award for Staff!