Each spring, the College of Biological Sciences celebrates graduating students whose achievements exemplify the spirit of discovery, leadership, and service that define UC Davis. At the college’s annual undergraduate awards ceremony, students are recognized for exceptional accomplishments in research, academics, mentorship, and community engagement.

The awards reflect both the extraordinary talent of CBS students and the generosity of supporters whose philanthropy makes these opportunities possible. Through scholarships and support for the CBS Dean’s Innovation Fund, donors help students pursue hands-on learning experiences in laboratories, clinics, classrooms, and the field—experiences that often shape the trajectory of their careers and future contributions to science and society.

This year’s recipients have distinguished themselves not only through academic excellence, but through their commitment to advancing knowledge, supporting their communities, and expanding opportunities for others. Their work spans regenerative biology, neuroscience, ecology, molecular biology, clinical research, disability advocacy, and mentorship, reflecting the breadth of scholarship and impact within the College of Biological Sciences.

Meet the 2026 undergraduate award recipients:

College of Biological Sciences Medal

Zucy Virgen

Biological Sciences

Zucy Virgen’s path to becoming a scientist began with a fascination for engineering and the possibility of designing implants to replace failing human organs. That focus evolved after she learned about Hydra, a tiny freshwater organism capable of regenerating its body after injury. Interested in uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind regeneration, Virgen found her academic home in regenerative biology.

In the lab of Celina Juliano in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Virgen investigates how signaling pathways guide regeneration in Hydra vulgaris. She independently designed fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments, generated high-quality imaging data, and contributed to a manuscript currently under review. Virgen also expanded her research experience through a competitive summer program at Caltech, where she studied the regenerative capacity of craniofacial neural crest stem cells in chicken embryos.

Beyond the lab, Virgen is committed to mentorship and expanding access to research opportunities for other students. She has served as a tutor, teaching assistant, and president of the UC Davis SACNAS undergraduate chapter, helping students connect with mentors, research programs, and academic resources. A 2025 Goldwater Scholar, Virgen begin a Ph.D. in developmental biology at Stanford in the fall. 

“Zucy is one of the most talented, self-directed, and intellectually curious undergraduate researchers I have had the pleasure of mentoring. She already operates with the capability and maturity of an early graduate student.” — Celina Juliano, professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

The College of Biological Sciences Medal is the college’s highest honor. It recognizes an outstanding graduating senior whose scholarship, leadership, and service exemplify excellence in the biological sciences.

College of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student of the Year

Tiffany Lam

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

For Tiffany Lam, molecular biology became far more than the study of proteins and nucleic acids. Through research experiences spanning biochemistry, microbiology, computational biology, and clinical diagnostics, Lam developed a multidisciplinary approach to understanding how molecular systems can be leveraged to improve human health.

In the lab of Johan Leveau in the Department of Plant Pathology, Lam studies bacterial chemoreceptors involved in nutrient sensing and survival on plant surfaces. Combining microbiological techniques with computational modeling and molecular docking analyses, she identified novel ligand-binding behaviors in membrane-bound receptors and developed hypotheses regarding previously unknown binding regions. Her work has been presented at multiple research conferences and continues to explore how computational and experimental methods can be integrated to better understand protein function.

Prior to joining the Leveau Lab, Lam conducted research in the Siegel Lab, where she studied enzyme stability and protein design as part of the Design-2-Data initiative, and in the Bioinstrumentation and BioMEMS Laboratory, where she contributed to clinical studies investigating breath biomarkers associated with respiratory diseases and smoking products.

Outside of research, Lam has served as a mentor and leader within multiple research environments, supporting younger students while strengthening collaborative lab culture. In fall 2026, she will begin a Ph.D. program in molecular biology at the University of Southern California, where she plans to continue investigating the molecular mechanisms that underlie human health and disease.

“Tiffany consistently approaches research with both creativity and rigor. She has an exceptional ability to integrate concepts across disciplines and apply them to complex biological questions.” — Johan Leveau, professor, Department of Plant Pathology

Siona Samanta

Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

Siona Samanta has built her undergraduate career around the belief that meaningful healthcare depends on education, communication, and empathy. Inspired by the mentors who supported her transition into college science courses, Samanta developed a passion for teaching that now shapes her work across research, disability advocacy, and clinical leadership.

As a learning assistant for introductory biology courses and later an Academic Mentor Lead for the Redwood SEED Scholars Program, Samanta helped students with intellectual disabilities navigate college coursework and campus life. Her advocacy expanded through her work with the UC Davis Disability Administrative Advisory Committee and through her Donald A. Strauss Scholarship project, “Th(D)is Ability of Mine,” which empowers students with intellectual disabilities to share their stories through creative expression and community workshops. Her leadership, scholarship, and commitment to service have also been recognized through the Mary Jeanne Gilhooly Award and the Undergraduate Civic Engagement Award.

Samanta has also distinguished herself as a leader in clinical research. In the lab of Aldrin Gomes in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, she contributed to projects involving western blotting techniques and co-authored work currently being prepared for publication. At UC Davis Health’s Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program (EMRAP), she rose to become Chief Research Associate, overseeing nearly 100 student researchers while leading an independent study examining the use of artificial intelligence in research application processes.

After graduation, Samanta plans to spend a gap year shadowing physicians in Nepal and Thailand while preparing for medical school. Through these experiences, she hopes to deepen her understanding of how culture and healthcare access shape patient experiences and strengthen the perspective she will bring to a future career in medicine.

“Siona stands out because she combines exceptional leadership with a broader vision for improving the programs and communities around her. She is destined to contribute work that improves lives.” — Daniel Nishijima, professor and vice chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, UC Davis Health

The College of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student of the Year Award honors students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, research, and service within the biological sciences community.

Ronald and Lydia Baskin Research Award

Landon Jamison Golaw Battin

Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

Landon Jamison Golaw Battin’s undergraduate experience has been shaped by a commitment to understanding neurodevelopmental conditions through both scientific research and community advocacy. His work in neuroscience is closely tied to years of service supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, experiences that continue to guide his academic and professional goals.

In the lab of Qizhi Gong in the Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, Battin investigates how SARS-CoV-2 infection may interact with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. His research focuses on characterizing microglia—immune cells of the central nervous system—within mouse models of neuroinflammation. Battin developed new tissue imaging and immunostaining protocols, generated three-dimensional image libraries, and helped advance methods for classifying microglial activation states. His work has contributed to ongoing research projects and has been presented at undergraduate research conferences.

Battin further expanded his neuroscience training during a summer internship at UCSF, where he studied inhibitory neuron populations in autism mouse models within the Nowakowski Lab. His findings exploring hippocampal neuron populations and seizure-related pathways in autism spectrum disorder were presented at Neuroscience 2025 in San Diego.

Alongside his research, Battin serves as Chapter President of Best Buddies at UC Davis, a friendship organization connecting students with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. His leadership earned him recognition as the 2025 Sacramento Region Chapter President of the Year and the 2026 UC Davis Veloyce Glenn Winslow Jr. Award for outstanding leadership and service.

“Landon approaches neuroscience research with both intellectual depth and profound empathy. His ability to connect scientific inquiry with meaningful community impact makes him an exceptional young scholar.” — Qizhi Gong, assistant professor, Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy

Zoe Marie Routh

Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity

Zoe Marie Routh has distinguished herself as a behavioral ecologist whose work bridges scientific rigor with compassion and service. Since joining the lab of Andrew Sih in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy during her first year at UC Davis, Routh has become an integral contributor to research examining how animals respond to environmental stressors and changing ecosystems.

Her independent research investigated how predator cues and physiological stressors influence behavior and fitness in freshwater snails. Designing and executing her own experimental protocols, Routh demonstrated that individual animals vary consistently in their responses to environmental pressures, findings that may help scientists better understand how organisms adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Her work has been presented at the Animal Behavior Society annual conference, and she is currently preparing a first-author manuscript for publication.

Routh’s interests extend beyond ecology into literature, dance, and human rights, experiences that strengthened her perspective on communication and scientific storytelling. That interdisciplinary mindset also informs her work with Alzheimer’s Buddies, where she has spent years building friendships with individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and advocating for greater awareness and caregiver support.

As Education Coordinator and Internal Co-President of the UC Davis chapter, Routh helped expand student involvement while emphasizing compassion and dignity in Alzheimer’s care. She has also mentored fellow students through the BioLaunch Program.

“Zoe combines intellectual sophistication, independence, and compassion in a way that is extraordinarily rare for an undergraduate student. She has become an essential member of our research group.” — Andrew Sih, Distinguished Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Policy

The Ronald and Lydia Baskin Research Award recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional achievement and promise in scientific research.

Rost Family Biology K-12 Education Scholarship

Vivian Albelda

Biological Sciences

Vivian Albelda’s commitment to science education has been shaped by years of teaching experience across a wide range of K-12 classrooms and a belief that curiosity is at the heart of scientific learning. Through UC Davis’ CalTeach/MAST program, Albelda discovered the power of inquiry-based instruction and the importance of helping students explore concepts for themselves rather than simply memorizing answers.

Her first teaching experience came as a Learning Assistant for an introductory biology course, where she learned how thoughtful questioning and guided exploration can deepen understanding and strengthen critical-thinking skills. Building on that foundation, Albelda completed teaching internships in fifth-grade, sixth-grade, ninth-grade, and mixed-grade high school classrooms, gaining experience working with students at different stages of their educational journeys.

Across these settings, she found that students learn best when they are encouraged to investigate scientific phenomena firsthand—whether examining specimens under a microscope or making observations in a school garden. By engaging directly with the natural world, students not only gain a stronger understanding of biology but also develop the analytical skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. Albelda hopes to help students embrace uncertainty, evaluate evidence, and appreciate the interconnected nature of scientific systems.

Committed to a future in education, Albelda plans to pursue a teaching credential and continue helping students develop the curiosity, critical-thinking skills, and confidence needed to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Christopher Harris

Biological Sciences

Christopher Harris’s passion for biology education grew from an experience many students know well: learning science without fully understanding why it mattered. Throughout high school, frequent turnover among teachers left him disconnected from biology and unsure of its relevance. That changed when he arrived at UC Davis, where enthusiastic instructors and classmates revealed the curiosity, discovery, and real-world applications that make biology such a dynamic field.

Inspired by those experiences, Harris set his sights on becoming a biology teacher. Through a teaching internship in a ninth-grade biology classroom, he worked alongside an experienced mentor teacher while developing the skills needed to engage students in scientific thinking. Helping students understand difficult concepts and solve problems reinforced his commitment to education and showed him the impact that passionate, effective teaching can have on young learners.

Harris hopes to bring that same sense of purpose and excitement to students in underserved communities and high-needs schools. He believes strong science education helps students discover their identities as scientists, researchers, and leaders while building the confidence to persist through challenges. As a future educator, he hopes to create a classroom culture centered on collaboration, curiosity, and growth, where students see struggle as part of learning rather than a barrier to success.

The Rost Family Biology K-12 Education Scholarship supports undergraduate students who promote biology education in K-12 settings. This scholarship recognizes those dedicated to inspiring and educating future generations in the field of biology.