ACBS Spring 2020 Outstanding Seniors
May 12, 2020
Each semester, the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES), recognizes eighteen undergraduates and one graduate student earning their degrees from CALES with the Outstanding Senior Awards. Students are selected, one per major, and honored for their extraordinary accomplishments, both on and off campus, during their time at the UArizona.
Meet the ACBS Spring 2020 Outstanding Seniors
Giovanni Ryan Comella
Outstanding Senior | Animal Sciences
Ryan, initially chose his animal science major as it was the closest degree to a food studies/food systems undergraduate degree that was available at UArizona. He found that the course work has been extremely relevant and applicable to his food systems passion. He feels his degree gives him a unique edge as he understands the details behind the animal industry, a big part of the food system, in a way that he would not have with a different degree path. After graduation, Ryan will pursue a Master of Arts in Food Studies from Chatham University, where he will also serve as a graduate pedagogy research assistant. His goal is to become a professor and teach food studies/food history/food systems at the university level. Ryan would like to pass on this piece of advice to incoming students, “So many doors are opened once you give it your best, though it may not always equate to an A or a high GPA or accolades, the reward at the end of the day is the contentedness and satisfaction that you gave it everything you had.”
Katrien De Belder
Outstanding Senior | Microbiology
With an interest in pathogens and their ability to cause disease, a degree in microbiology was a natural fit for Katrien. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in microbiology and has been accepted in the Accelerated MS Program in Microbiology in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Upon completion of her master’s degree, she hopes to find a position at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia and work on projects that have socio-economic implications in the US and beyond. About receiving this award Katrien says, “I’m the first in my family to attend college, so everything about college was relatively unknown when I started my degree. At first, there was a bit of an adjustment period to college, but I was determined to set goals for myself in order to earn my degree and attend graduate school. This award represents the culmination of the hard work I put in throughout college to earn my degree and gain acceptance to graduate school.”
Vimarys Oliveras Miranda
Outstanding Senior | Veterinary Science
Vimarys, who goes by Vee, was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico. As a military child she has lived in many states including North Dakota, Georgia, Texas, Nevada, and Arizona. Serving the community is important to Vee, who through a CONSERVE Summer internship opportunity in the Ravishankar lab, investigated the effectiveness of ozone against Salmonella entericain recycled and non-recycled spinach wash water. Through her courses and independent studies, Vee has found a passion for science and laboratory work and plans to continue working in the Ravishankar Food Safety and Microbiology Lab and at the Prosense Consumer Research Center, in Tucson as a lab technician. This work experience will help her to continue expanding her laboratory techniques and gain familiarity with research projects as she explores her career options. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a research position at a USDA laboratory and continue to apply her knowledge of microbiology, food safety, and sensory analysis towards improving public health. Vee’s advice to incoming freshman is to “Never give up on your academic career. In the end, all your hard work will be recognized.”
CALES Virtual Graduation Convocation
CALES recognized all bachelors, masters, and doctoral recipients during the CALES May 2020 Virtual Graduation Ceremony. The Graduation Convocation was live streamed on Friday, May 15 via the CALES Facebook page. This dynamic experience was open to all graduates, their family, friends, and supporters.
Watch the CALES Virtual Graduation Convocation https://www.facebook.com/uarizonaCALS/videos/2361328257493883/
UArizona 156th Annual Commencement Ceremony
University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins conferred more than 11,000 degrees at the university’s first-ever virtual Commencement on May 15 which featured speeches from campus leaders, students and others.
An in-person ceremony is planned during Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 30.
Watch the UArizona Commencement https://commencement.arizona.edu