More than 300 students, faculty, and community partners gathered at the Eldorado At THE ROW in Reno on May 5 to mark the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year with the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources’ (CABNR) annual Spring Celebration & Awards Night. The evening served as both a capstone for the year’s academic rigor and a high-profile recognition of the individuals driving innovation in Nevada’s agricultural and scientific sectors.
The event honored 41 distinct award recipients and celebrated the achievements of 181 graduating undergraduate and graduate students. For the College, the gathering was more than a formal ceremony; it was a demonstration of the multidisciplinary reach of an institution that bridges the gap between laboratory research in biotechnology and the practical, boots-on-the-ground needs of rangeland management and nutrition.
Christian Kolberg, a University alumnus and chair of the University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Advisory Council, presided as master of ceremonies. The guest list reflected the deep integration between the university and state leadership, including Nevada System of Higher Education Regent Carol Del Carlo, former regent Laura Perkins, and University Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Hillary Procknow. Kolberg also highlighted the critical role of the College’s advisory council, acknowledging the ongoing contributions of members including Leana Carey, Dominique Etchegoyen, J.J. Goicoechea, Gail Kosach, Bob Potts, and Laura Perkins.
A Decade of Steadfast Growth
Opening the evening’s proceedings, Bill Payne, dean of the College, reflected on the evolution of the institution during his 12-year tenure. In a keynote address that emphasized resilience over accolades, Payne noted that while the challenges facing the College have shifted annually, the commitment of its people has remained the only constant.
“It’s so nice to have the opportunity to enjoy a special evening together and pause and reflect on all that we have accomplished as a College,” Payne told the crowd. “Our students, employees and supporters remain steadfast working hard to enrich our communities, our state and beyond. I truly appreciate it and appreciate each and every one of you.”
Payne’s remarks underscored a broader theme of the evening: the translation of academic success into community impact. From the development of sustainable farming practices to advancements in molecular biology, the awards presented reflected a curriculum designed to solve real-world problems within the state of Nevada and across the western United States.
Global Recognition and Local Leadership
The ceremony highlighted several faculty members whose recent achievements have brought international and national prestige to the university. Associate Professor Monika Gulia-Nuss was recognized for her appointment as a Fulbright Alumni Ambassador, following her previous distinction as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar—a nod to the College’s commitment to global scholarly exchange.
Other high-level distinctions included Assistant Professor Lucas Phipps, recipient of the 2025 Nevada Young Rangeland Professional Award from the Nevada Section Society for Range Management. Chris Pritsos, associate dean of research and director of the University’s Experiment Station, was noted for his upcoming Award of Excellence in Leadership from agInnovation-West, the western association of Experiment Station directors.
The recognition extended to the student body, with particular emphasis on those bridging the gap between leadership and technical skill. Veterinary science student Daniela Randolf was celebrated for receiving the Dale W. Bohmont Leadership Award via the Nevada Agricultural Foundation. The evening also acknowledged the vital support of the Nevada Dairy Farmers, who provided scholarships to veterinary science students Melanie Burnett, Brianna España, and Akizcha Unating, as well as agricultural science student Leilani Means.
Upcoming University Honors
The Spring Celebration acted as a precursor to the university’s broader “Honor the Best” ceremony scheduled for May 12. Several CABNR faculty members are slated for recognition at that event, highlighting the College’s strength in research, mentoring, and teaching.
| Faculty Member | Award/Recognition | Issuing Body |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Allen | Jason Geddes Regents’ Rising Researcher | NSHE |
| Franco Biondi | Outstanding Researcher in STEM | Division of Research & Innovation |
| Ash Cale | Postdoctoral Award for Exceptional Mentoring | Office of Postdoctoral Affairs |
| Karla Hernández | Distinguished Outreach & Engagement Faculty | Office of the Provost |
| Lyndsay Munro | Paul & Judy Bible Teaching Excellence | Office of the Provost |
Academic Excellence Across Departments
The core of the evening was dedicated to the student award winners, categorized by their specific fields of study. These awards recognize not only GPA but the “outstanding” nature of their contributions to their respective disciplines.
In the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences, top honors went to Lindsey Heath (Agricultural Science), Kallie Carrigan (NevadaTeach Agricultural Science), Justin Ramos (Rangeland Ecology & Management), and Daniela Randolf (Veterinary Science), with Nadini Gamage recognized as the outstanding Ph.D. Student in Animal & Rangeland Sciences.
The Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology saw a large cohort of honorees, including seniors William Le, Christina Winkler, McKenna Mancuso, and Delilah Moreno. Graduate success was highlighted by Master’s students Nathaniel Moore and Brandon Veron, and Ph.D. Student Matthew Bolino.
Environmental stewardship was the focus for the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, where awards were presented to Lila Humlick, Aillis McCormack, and Michael Maggio at the undergraduate level, Kristina Ramsey for her Master’s work, and Johanne Albrigtsen for her Ph.D. In Hydrologic Sciences.
Finally, the Department of Nutrition recognized the ability of its students to impact public health, with awards given to Jenica Lynch, Amanda Maria Thurston, and Norincia Osei-Boateng.
The Engine of Extension and Support
While student achievement often takes center stage, the ceremony dedicated significant time to the employees and supporters who maintain the College’s infrastructure. Jacob DeDecker, associate dean for engagement and director of Extension, helped present awards to staff who ensure that university research reaches the farmers and citizens of Nevada.
The “Outstanding Extension” category recognized a diverse group of professionals:
- Academic and Research: Najat Elgeberi (Academic Faculty) and Most Tahera Naznin (Researcher).
- Administrative and Programmatic: Daniel Coen (Administrative Faculty), Kayla Ransom (Program Staff), and Amber Yoder (Support Staff).
- Operational Support: Robert Moore (Administrative Faculty) and Ruby Anna Mosteiro (Classified Staff).
- Teaching: Maureen Molini (Outstanding Teacher).
A special mention was given to the “Hope and Recovery” team, named the Outstanding Extension Team, highlighting the College’s role in community wellness and crisis support. The evening concluded with special recognition for Brandon Camp (Outstanding Agriculturist), Laurel Saito (Natural Resources & Environmental Science Leadership), Karon Felten (Nutrition & Dietetics Leadership), Michael Mouradian (Biochemistry & Biotechnology Leadership), and Jessica Shanley (Extension Supporter).
As the academic year officially closes, the College now turns its attention to the “Honor the Best” ceremony on May 12, where the university will further validate the scholarly contributions of its faculty on a campus-wide stage.
For a full list of 2026 award recipients and detailed biographies of the honorees, visit the official College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources website.
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