Undergrads Recognized at Annual Honors & Awards Celebration

Dean Graham and Ken Kiger stand beside six students holding awards, posing before a Clark School backdrop

Each year the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland celebrates exceptional undergraduate scholars through its undergraduate Honors and Awards Ceremony, which recognize students for their perseverance, academics, leadership, and service.

Maryland Engineering honored 86 undergraduates who exemplify the college’s commitment to excellence at this year’s ceremony event, held May 5 in the Stamp Student Union. Six were recognized with Dean’s Awards, including a new award for 2026.

“We challenge our students to dream big, and design and deploy engineering solutions that will reshape society,” said Dean Samuel Graham at the ceremony. “Based on what these exceptional students have already accomplished, I am confident they will push the boundaries of what humanity can do.”

Clark School Dean’s Award

Presented for excellence in academics, leadership, and service to the college

Friedrich Alvarez
Senior, electrical engineering

Friedrich is minoring in robotics and autonomous systems and serves as president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branch, which he helped revitalize in 2024. He is a Clark Ambassador and has mentored within the Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering and WIE Program. Friedrich conducts robotics research in the Motion and Teaming Lab and has conducted microelectromechanical research at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). This summer, he will intern at Army Research Laboratory in robotics research.

Friedrich also received the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Service Award (Electrical Engineering).

Clark School of Engineering Leadership Award

Presented to a Clark School student who demonstrates outstanding leadership which impacts all engineering majors

Mia Jocić
Senior, bioengineering

Mia is a first-generation student with a minor in Science, Technology, Ethics, and Policy. She first became involved with the WIE Program as a mentee and went on to serve as a mentor, tutor, and mentor coordinator. Formerly on the UMaryland iGEM team, Mia represented the Clark School in Paris at the 2024 International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition. She has previously worked at MilliporeSigma and Clasp Therapeutics, and is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. Mia is interested in pursuing translational, health equity, and therapeutic engineering opportunities after graduation.

Mia also received the Fischell Department of Bioengineering Outstanding Leadership Award.

Clark School of Engineering Global Leadership Award

Presented for leadership and service through global engineering activities

Francisco “Clark” da Rosa
Junior, civil engineering

Clark is a member of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and serves as a project lead for EWB, helping lead the design and implementation of sanitation infrastructure for a school in Nakifuma, Uganda. He has also supported a community assessment trip in Guatemala and has presented at multiple EWB conferences. Clark studied abroad at Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid and participated in an Iceland sustainable energy class. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in civil engineering focused on sustainable infrastructure.

Kim A. Borsavage and Pamela J. Stone Student Award for Outstanding Service

Presented for outstanding service and dedication to the Clark School

Michael O’Neill
Senior, mechanical engineering

Mike is a Clark Scholar, study abroad alumnus, and NASA intern. He has participated in the Clark in Madrid program, an engineering leadership program in Australia, and the Fulbright Scholarly Exchange Program in Taiwan. Mike serves as an undergraduate teaching fellow in the Keystone Program and has served as a technical supervisor at Terrapin Works. He has also served the Clark School as a ClarkLEADER, Clark School Ambassador, and member of the Dean's Student Advisory Council. Mike is pursuing minors in global engineering leadership and general business, and is part of the BS/MS program with a focus on advanced manufacturing.

Mike also received the Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award.

Dinah Berman Memorial Award

Presented to a third-year engineering student who has combined academic and scholastic excellence with demonstrated leadership or service to the Clark School

Emily Ho
Junior, fire protection engineering

Emily is the secretary of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and is involved with prospective student outreach through the Clark Ambassador program. She is also a student in the Engineering Honors Program and a member of the Maryland Cheerleading Team, cheering for the football, basketball, and volleyball programs while preparing for National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals. Emily plans to begin a research apprenticeship with a fire protection engineering faculty member and continue this work through the combined B.S./M.S. program.

Khosa Resiliency Award

Presented to an undergraduate student in the Clark School of Engineering who has overcome obstacles and persisted in realizing their academic, personal, and professional accomplishments

Valery Huachara
Senior, aerospace engineering

Valery is a Clark Opportunity Transfer Scholar who has participated in undergraduate research in satellite navigation and is currently part of a capstone project on Lunar Surface Infrastructure aligned with National Aeronautics and Space Administration initiatives. Valery has also worked as a math tutor supporting English language learners and first-generation students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics pathways.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 honorees!

Kelsey Afoakwa, Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering Leadership Award
Raifah Alam, Women in Engineering Advancement Award
Hamna Ali, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering David Arthur Berman Memorial Award
Friedrich Alvarez, A. James Clark School of Engineering Dean's Award and Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Service Award (Electrical Engineering)
Gabriella Anthony, Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award
Zoe Barbour, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Robert L. Morris Award in Environmental Leadership
Tyler Belen, Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering Service Award
Samuel Bentz, Department of Mechanical Engineering Academic Achievement Award
Nandini Bhattaram, Department Mechanical EngineeringAcademic Achievement Award
Alejandra Bogusch, Fischell Department of Bioengineering Outstanding Research Award
Anthony Boscolo, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Student Service Award
Adam Brodsky, Department of Fire Protection Engineering Chair’s Award
Ryan Brown, Department of Aerospace Engineering Junior Merit Award
Alexander Campbell, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Outstanding Junior Award
Srijani Chakraborty, Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute Outstanding ASPIRE Student Research Award
Maria Chen, Fischell Department of Bioengineering Outstanding Service Award
Matthew Chou, Department of Aerospace Engineering Chair’s Award
Mary Kate Comegna, Department of Fire Protection Engineering NFPA Ambassador Award
Alessandra Contreras, Department of Materials Science ’ Engineering Outstanding Materials Student Service Award
Alessandra Crippa, Department of Materials Science ’ Engineering Chairman’s Outstanding Senior Award
Valentina Cruz, Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering Service Award
Franciscoda RosaA. James Clark School of Engineering Global Leadership Award
Prithwish Dasgupta, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Chair’s Award (Electrical Engineering)
Owen Davies, Department of Fire Protection Engineering Robert J. Taylor Academic Achievement Award
Conrad Decressin, Department of Materials Science & Engineering Chairman’s Outstanding Senior Award
Saanchi Desai, Women in Engineering Mentorship Award
Samir Elsalawi, Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award
Lilya Fraigui, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Outstanding Junior Award
Elliot Gerig, Department of Mechanical Engineering Academic Achievement Award
Irene Ghosh, Engineering Career Services Outstanding Intern
Daniel Gregory, Department of Mechanical Engineering Academic Achievement Award
Joseph Hauerstein, Department of Aerospace Engineering Alfred Gessow Academic Achievement Award
Samuel Heintz, Department of Aerospace Engineering Chair’s Award and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Outstanding Achievement Award
Katelyn Herberholz, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Outstanding Senior Award
Grace Herron, Women in Engineering Service Award
Emily Ho, A. James Clark School of Engineering Dinah Berman Memorial Award
Valery Huachara, A. James Clark School of Engineering Khosa Resiliency Award
Sofia Jackson, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Chair’s Award and Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering Service Award
Ryan Jerome, Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute Outstanding ASPIRE Student Research Award
Mia Jocić, A. James Clark School of Engineering Leadership Award and Fischell Department of Bioengineering Outstanding Leadership Award
Ana Kanazir, Engineering Career Services Outstanding Intern
Jacob Kaplan-Davis, Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award
Samuel Kashima, Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award
Kara Kaste, Women in Engineering Service Award
Steven Kuo, Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award
Isabelle LaManna, Department of Materials Science & Engineering Student Research Award
Leanne Laohoo, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Chi Epsilon Outstanding Senior Award
Robert Latyak, Department of Aerospace Engineering Alfred Gessow Academic Achievement Award
Jameson Lau, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Chair’s Award (Electrical Engineering)
Santiago Lorenzi, Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering Director’s Award
Mia Mikowski, Department of Aerospace Engineering Joseph Guthrie Memorial Scholarship
Jonathan Moses, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Chair’s Award (Electrical Engineering)
Chinazam Nwosu, Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering Leadership Award
Michael O’Neill, A. James Clark School of Engineering Kim Borsavage and Pamela J. Stone Student Award for Outstanding Service and Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award
Glory Ogwu, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering DEI Service Award
David Oloye, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering American Society of Civil Engineers Outstanding Senior Award
Christopher Parker, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Outstanding Academic Performance Award (Electrical Engineering)
Carsten Portner, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Service Award (Computer Engineering)
Marissa Potts, Department of Aerospace Engineering Chair’s Award and Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics Outstanding Achievement Award
Avanti Prabakaran, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Chair’s Award
Jordan Record, Department of Mechanical Engineering Academic Achievement Award
Quinn Renaghan, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Chair’s Award (Computer Engineering)
Samantha Rodriguez, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Chair’s Award (Computer Engineering)
Alan Romack Jr, Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award
Arlene Schindler, Women in Engineering Leadership Award
Isabella Schroeder, Department of Aerospace Junior Merit Award
Ilan Shapsay, Department of Mechanical Engineering Academic Achievement Award
Susan Shollenberger, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Chair’s Award (Computer Engineering)
Asa Silver, Department of Fire Protection Engineering Chair’s Award
Amelia Skeers, Department of Aerospace Engineering Chair’s Award and Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics Outstanding Achievement Award
Brody Stup, Department of Mechanical Engineering Academic Achievement Award
Bence Szego, Department of Aerospace Engineering Alfred Gessow Academic Achievement Award
Jack Szyprowski, Department of Aerospace Engineering Junior Merit Award
Benjamin Tabor, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Outstanding Senior Award
Akemi Takeuchi, Department of Aerospace Engineering Chair’s Award
Alyssa Taylor, Department of Materials Science & Engineering Student Research Award and Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering Leadership Award
Joel Thomas, Fischell Department of Bioengineering Outstanding Junior Award
Cory Tran, Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award
William Trasatti, Department of Mechanical Engineering Academic Achievement Award
Ryan Vacek, Department of Fire Protection Engineering Chair’s Award and Society of Fire Protection Engineers Outstanding Senior Award
Pantea Vafaei, Fischell Outstanding Leadership Award
August Van Geertruyden, Women in Engineering Mentorship Award
Emilee Yuan, Fischell Department of Bioengineering Outstanding Senior Award
Frederick Zheng, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Outstanding Academic Performance Award (Computer Engineering)
Jacob Zipp, Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute Outstanding ASPIRE Student Research Award
Owen Zodet, Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award