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Academic Excellence

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PWS Honored Graduate: Janey Cress’ Plunge into Freshwater Ecosystems

April 22, 2026
Driven to make the most of her time at BYU, Janey Cress immersed herself in undergraduate research studying freshwater macroinvertebrates.
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BIO Honored Undergraduate: Rebekah Christensen’s Journey in Biodiversity and Conservation

April 21, 2026
Rebekah Christensen is making an impact in conservation efforts through her work in the Netherlands and her dedication to protecting and preserving the natural world.
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NDFS Honored Graduate: Julia Wangsgard’s Recipe for Success

April 20, 2026
Driven by curiosity and a love for problem-solving, Julia Wangsgard is using food science to innovate, research, and create new products that promote healthier living.
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CELL Honored UG Graduate: How Colson Beus Built His Confidence Through Medicine

April 17, 2026
As a first-generation college student, Colson Beus found his calling through mentorship while conducting research and being an anatomy TA.
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PH Honored Graduate: How Education Empowered Greg Hooke to Go Forth and Serve

April 15, 2026
After recovering from a brain injury, Greg Hooke dedicated his time at BYU to pursuing public health, fostering belonging, and serving others with Christlike compassion.
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Teaching, Research, and Resilience: Clara Smith’s Story of Growth and Impact

April 10, 2026
Clara Smith is transforming rural science education by empowering teachers with innovative tools and mentorship, amplifying her impact from individual classrooms to generations of students.
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Nutrition and Management: Kate Cragun’s Journey Through Dietetics

April 09, 2026
Kate Cragun is turning her passion for nutrition into impact, showing how leadership and teamwork bring dietetics to life beyond the classroom.
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Faith, Persistence, and Belonging: Tanner Blocker's Journey Through Graduate Research

April 08, 2026
While researching synaptic transmissions in the brain, Tanner Blocker gained confidence in himself and built meaningful connections.
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Weathering the Storm: Megan White’s Conservation Efforts in the La Sals

April 07, 2026
Megan White's fieldwork in the La Sal Mountains cemented her love for nature, helped her grow, and strengthened her drive to help protect rare plants.
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Scout Siebert's Mission To Empower Others Through Christlike Service

April 02, 2026
Scout Siebert shares her passion for public health and the experiences that strengthened her commitment to use her education to uplift communities.
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Kennedy Hunter’s Ribbiting Research on Cryptic Reptiles and Amphibians

March 31, 2026
Kennedy Hunter is identifying new species of frogs and lizards through hands-on field and lab work, turning her childhood interest with amphibians and reptiles into impactful research.
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Nature’s Low-Calorie Sweeteners: Lauryn Osborn and the Impact of Rare Sugars on Blood Sugar

March 25, 2026
Lauryn Osborn’s recent meta-analysis proves the health value of two rare sugars that have the potential to reduce blood sugar.
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The Power of Perseverance: James Cardon-Leota’s Journey of Hope Through Education

February 24, 2026
James Cardon-Leota created a new future for himself through his education, choosing to double major in public health and neuroscience to bring health benefits to people without a voice.
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Seeing the Brain Differently: The Suli Lab’s Approach to Neurodiversity

February 16, 2026
What if neuroscience wasn’t about fixing differences, but understanding them? At the Suli Lab, researchers are rethinking how we study brain development and autism by looking closely at sensory integration, oxidative stress, and behavior through the lens of zebrafish models.
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The Mary Davis Lab: Unraveling Chronic Illness One Gene at a Time

February 12, 2026
In the Davis Lab, students aim to personalize treatments for chronic diseases using genetics, algorithms, and clinical data.
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From Family Ties to Fruit Fly Diets: Dean Peterson’s Research Journey

February 09, 2026
Dean Peterson discovered links between bacteria, vitamins, and behavior through his research on fruit flies.
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The BYU Plant Genetic Resources Lab: Faith-Fueled Research for a Hungry World

January 28, 2026
In Dr. Jellen's lab, students are combating malnutrition and hunger through plant genetics.
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Oatstanding Genomics: BYU Research Published in Prestigious Journal

November 06, 2025
BYU professors Rick Jellen and Jeff Maughan's oat genomics research on building a pan-genome, a comprehensive map of genes found across oat varieties, has been recognized in Nature.
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