UAMS Graduate School Winter Awards Reception Showcases Student Research and Faculty Mentorship

The UAMS Graduate School Awards for 2025 took place at the Winter Awards Reception on 4 December in the Biomedical Research I Auditorium. The event honoured exceptional student performance, research excellence, and wider achievements at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Speaking about the occasion, Dean of the Graduate School, Sean Taverna, PhD, expressed gratitude to students and faculty for their dedication. He explained that their engagement in research posters, oral talks, service volunteering, and national recognition reflected a strong commitment. He also noted that one of the greatest challenges was balancing research responsibilities with coursework.

Fellowships were highlighted as a way of emphasising research excellence. Two students were awarded Outstanding Achievement Awards, which were described as a source of pride for the University. One of the most remarkable achievements came from Reham Sewilam, a PhD candidate in the Graduate Programme in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences. She made history by becoming the first Arkansas graduate student to win the prestigious NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award. The award provides two years of support for doctoral research, followed by four years of postdoctoral funding.

Similarly, Sydney Shuttleworth, an M.D./PhD student, became the first UAMS student to receive the distinguished Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) offered by the NCI. The fellowship supports up to four years of study, covering tuition, research costs, and operational expenses. Shuttleworth was described as joining a very small group of individuals worldwide who have received this honour.

The Winter Awards Reception was presented as a way for UAMS to recognise exemplary student and faculty achievements in impactful biomedical research. Faculty recognition was also emphasised. Excellence in Mentoring Awards were presented to Professor Robert Eoff, PhD, and Assistant Professor Brian Koss, PhD, both from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Eoff, who mentored Sewilam, valued the strategic approach behind her research. Koss, who mentored Shuttleworth, noted her focus on research translation and her efforts to make a difference in society. These awards highlighted the importance of mentorship in shaping the next generation of scientists and physician‑scientists.

Student Research Day and Poster Presentation Awards

The core of the UAMS Biomedical Research Awards was linked to achievements demonstrated during Student Research Day, held on 17 April. Students received awards across diverse categories, forming a detailed list under the title: “The UAMS Student Research and Poster Presentation Award Winners 2025.”

Other National and Professional Awards

In addition to campus activities, several students gained national and international recognition. Awards included honours for excellence in nursing, best poster and abstract presentations, conference scholarships, innovation internships, and journalism excellence. Many students were also recognised for leadership and teamwork in the community. Erickson Feliciano received a Certificate of Appreciation for his service and editorial contributions, presented by Dean Taverna.

Representation in Outreach and Recruitment

A number of students were acknowledged for representing UAMS at recruitment and outreach events across the United States. Their participation at conferences, career expos, and university‑level events was described as vital in raising the visibility of the Graduate School’s achievements in Arkansas medical education.

UAMS Continues to Enhance Biomedical Research Education

The event was portrayed as a major forum for celebrating research at UAMS, marking student success, excellence in mentoring, and success in securing national funding. It was seen as an affirmation of the importance of strong mentorship, competitive fellowships, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These elements were said to be driving continued advancements in biomedical science, graduate education, and scientific leadership in Arkansas.

Editor’s Note:

The UAMS Graduate School Winter Awards Reception 2025, hosted in Little Rock, Arkansas, celebrated exceptional achievements by students and faculty. This event underscores the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' commitment to fostering research excellence and effective mentorship within its graduate education programs. The coverage shows how UAMS honours student excellence at multiple levels. It emphasises competitive fellowships such as the NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award and the Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA, which place UAMS students among the top young investigators in the country. This reflects not only the calibre of the students but also the strength of the University’s research infrastructure. The significance of mentoring is also underlined through the Excellence in Mentoring Awards, which show that leadership and guidance are valued alongside research achievements. Faculty recognition was presented as central to graduate success, with mentoring directly linked to research development and achievement. In addition, it also illustrates how students participate actively in Student Research Day, innovation awards, and national conferences, proving that graduate education at UAMS extends far beyond the classroom.

Skoobuzz mentions that this report provides readers with a clear overview of how UAMS is recognising excellence, nurturing new researchers, and enhancing biomedical education in Arkansas. It reflects the Graduate School’s role in equipping students for future directions in research, medicine, and academic leadership.

FAQs

1. Do postgraduates get a graduation ceremony?

It was explained that postgraduate students at UAMS do take part in formal graduation ceremonies. These are held each May and include individual college ceremonies as well as the wider commencement. Students must apply for programme completion, and even those who do not attend still have their degrees conferred.

2. What happens at a master’s graduation ceremony?

Reports noted that a master’s graduation ceremony at UAMS involves the presentation of diplomas, the donning of academic hoods, and sometimes the recitation of professional oaths. Faculty awards, such as the Golden Apple, are also presented, combining academic tradition with recognition of student achievement.

3. Which UAMS student won the Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA fellowship?

It was highlighted that Sydney Shuttleworth, an M.D./PhD student, became the first UAMS student to receive the prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA fellowship offered by the NCI. The award provides up to four years of support, including tuition and research costs.

4. How does UAMS recognise faculty mentorship at its awards ceremony?

Accounts stated that UAMS recognises faculty mentorship through Excellence in Mentoring Awards. In 2025, Professor Robert Eoff and Assistant Professor Brian Koss were honoured for their guidance of students Reham Sewilam and Sydnye Shuttleworth. These awards celebrate faculty who provide support and professional development.

5. What student research achievements were highlighted at the Graduate School awards?

It was reported that the Graduate School awards highlighted achievements such as Outstanding Achievement Awards, NIH/NCI research supplements, and fellowships in pharmacology and toxicology. Student Research Day also recognised innovation, with prizes for translational research and poster presentations. These honours reflected excellence across disciplines and the commitment of UAMS students to advancing biomedical knowledge.