The 2026 CNS Recognition Ceremony
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On April 30, faculty and staff from the College of Natural Sciences gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of colleagues during the 2026 CNS Recognition Ceremony, an annual event that recognizes recipients of the College's Outstanding Achievement Awards and Exceptional Internal Service Awards, as well as faculty who were promoted during the 2024-25 academic year and nominees whose contributions strengthen the college's mission of excellence in research, teaching, service, and outreach.
"The success of the College of Natural Sciences—whether in discovery, innovation, education, service, or engagement—would not be possible without our exceptional and dedicated faculty and staff," said CNS Dean Mike Fox. "This time of year is particularly meaningful, as we celebrate not only the success and graduation of our students, but also honor and recognize the remarkable achievements made possible by our faculty and staff. The CNS Recognition Ceremony continues to grow each year, and this year we were proud to celebrate our deserving recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Awards, along with numerous university, national, and international honors. The AY2025-26 year has presented significant challenges, yet our faculty and staff have continued to demonstrate excellence, resilience, and a commitment to our mission."
Below is a complete list of the 2026 CNS Outstanding Achievement Award and Exceptional Internal Service Award recipients:
Outstanding Staff Awards
- Katherine Doyle, Collections Manager and Academic Advisor, Biology
- Robert Skalbite, Director of Farms and Facilities, Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE)
- Yingshan Xie, Financial Manager, Psychological and Brain Sciences
Inclusive Excellence Awards
- Jeffrey Blanchard, Associate Professor, Biology
- Jaime Piñero, Extension Professor, Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Excellence in Faculty Peer Mentoring Award
- Christiane Healey, Senior Lecturer II, Biology
Excellence in Student Mentoring Awards
- Matthew Moore, Associate Professor, Food Science
- Rosa Moscarella, Senior Lecturer, Biology
Outstanding Advising Award
- Janet Bordwin, Director, CNS Career and Professional Development
Outstanding Outreach and Engagement Awards
- Christine Hatch, Extension Professor, Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences
- Martha Sylvia, Extension Educator II, Cranberry Research Station
Outstanding Research Awards
- Craig Albertson, Professor, Biology
- Rafael Coelho Lopes de Sá, Associate Professor, Physics
Outstanding Teaching Awards
- Courtney Babbitt, Professor, Biology
- Amanda Brown, Senior Lecturer, Stockbridge School of Agriculture
- Jessica Rocheleau, Senior Lecturer, Biology
Exceptional Internal Service Awards
In recognition of outstanding contributions to departmental, college, and university service, departments across CNS selected faculty members to receive Exceptional Internal Service Awards:
- Forrest Bowlick, Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences
- Nuno Carreiro, Veterinary and Animal Sciences
- Michele Cooke, Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences
- Tony Dinsmore, Physics
- Laura Francis, Biology
- Reika Katsumata, Polymer Science and Engineering
- Ricardo Metz, Chemistry
- Yasu Morita, Microbiology
- Mariana Pereira, Psychological and Brain Sciences
- Jaime Piñero, Stockbridge School of Agriculture
- Annie Raymond, Mathematics and Statistics
- Peiyi Shen, Food Science
- Margaret Stratton, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Min Yun, Astronomy