PhD Candidate Alex Avery was recently selected as a 2026 Dean's Award for Graduate Research Excellence awardee. 

The Office of Graduate Studies page states that the "award is intended to distinguish students as among the top 5% of all graduate students educated and trained in your department or program. Competitive nominations (1) demonstrate why the student’s achievement is considered exemplary within the discipline/broader area of scholarship (which may include a comparison to put this achievement into context) and (2) explain what this achievement means for excellence in your department/program and for the future of research in this area."

 As part of the selection process "All nominated students will be asked to submit a 3-minute recorded presentation of their research. Semifinalists will be determined based on their ability to effectively communicate their research work and its significance to a broad audience. Final awardees will be selected on the basis of their research excellence, as showcased in departmental nominations, as well as on their ability to communicate their research to a broad audience, as demonstrated in their recorded presentation. Awardees will present their work to a group of university leaders in late October and receive a monetary award and certificate of recognition. " 

To read more about these awards and past nominees, head to the Office of Graduate Studies page.