2025 GEOSET Award Conferred to Biology Student Arnon Kuzmin
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Arnon Kuzmin, a sophomore student in biology, received the 2025 Sir Harold W. Kroto and Steve F.A. Acquah Global Educational Outreach for Science Engineering and Technology (GEOSET) Award for Excellence in Science Communication through Digital Media.
The award helps to maintain the legacy of the Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto, who, along with Robert Curl and Richard Smalley, shared the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery of fullerenes, an allotrope of carbon. Presented annually to a College of Natural Sciences major, the award was established by Steve Acquah, a former doctoral student and colleague of Kroto, who is now an associate research professor of chemistry and coordinator of the Digital Media Lab at the W.E.B. Du Bois Library.
Supported by an international team of educators to promote science communication through digital media and workshops, the GEOSET Award acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions to science communication and education. Kuzmin received the award in recognition of his work producing short, informative videos for science communication and his dedication to sharing scientific knowledge with a broader audience through his YouTube channel.
“I was shocked and just very grateful to receive this award,” says Kuzmin, who received a GEOSET Award plaque and $200 prize at the annual Chemistry Senior and Awards Dinner on May 2. “I've always been interested in science and learning new things. I wanted to share fascinating science articles with others, so I made videos and posted them online.”
Kuzmin, who has also had his name added to a wall-mounted honor roll in the Integrated Sciences Building as part of the award, says that, although creating engaging and informative YouTube videos comes with challenges—including advanced video editing and finding the time to consistently develop and post videos as he grows his online audience—he is now even more inspired to continue his work.
“Receiving this recognition will keep motivating me to be more consistent, post higher-quality content, explore new options, and continue sharing science and technology news,” he says.
“Congratulations to Arnon,” says Acquah. “It is inspiring to see such dedication to promoting the excitement and values of science. His videos reflect the heart of what Harold Kroto was working towards, and I look forward to providing help and advice with our team at the Digital Media Lab."
“Through the work I’ve done with the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings and the Lindau Mentoring Hub, it's clear that there is a growing desire for students to leverage the latest digital technologies to share their knowledge to an engaged online audience, and to some of the most remote areas of the world,” Acquah adds. “Science communication helps us understand the world around us just a little bit more.”
This story was originally published by the UMass News Office.