CAHNR Excellence Awards
At CAHNR, we take pride in acknowledging the exceptional work of our faculty, staff, and graduate students who consistently go above and beyond in the realms of teaching, research, extension, and service.
2026 Awardees
Awards of Excellence
Early Career Research Award
Dr. Chaoyu Zhai
Excellence in Research Award
Dr. Douglas Casa, ’97
CAHNR Graduate Student Research and Creativity Award
Sunni Chen
Kinsman CAHNR Excellence in Teaching Award
Dr. Julia Smachylo
Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award
Dr. Sarah Reed
Graduate Student Teaching Award
Korina Ehrlich, ’22
Excellence in Engagement and Outreach Award
Alena Meacham
Excellence in Extension Award
Dr. Indu Upadhyaya, ’15
Nancy H. and David E. Bull CES Innovative Programming Award
Emily Wilson and Dr. Anita Morzillo
UConn 4-H Awards
UConn 4-H Alumni Award
Stephen Zoppa
UConn 4-H Leadership Award
Hogan Eng
Meritorious Service to UConn 4-H Award
Margaret “Peg” Hall
Core Values Awards
Justice, Equity, Anti-Racism & Inclusion (Student)
Shanelle Thevarajah
Justice, Equity, Anti-Racism & Inclusion (Faculty)
Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou, ’09, ’10
Outstanding Staff Award
Michelle Lewis, ’13, CLAS ’21
Spirit of the Land Grant Award
Dr. Cristina Connolly
Awards and Honors will be hosted on March 25, 2026.
Department Representatives
Agricultural and Resource Economics
Tatiana Andreyeva
Allied Health Sciences
Tamara Kaliszewski
Animal Science
Dennis D’Amico
Extension
Jiff Martin
Kinesiology
Cristina Colon-Semenza
Natural Resources and Environment
Chandi Witharana
Nutritional Sciences
Clinton Mathias (Chair)
Pathobiology and Veterinary Science
Mazhar Khan
Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
John Inguagiato
Dean’s Assistant
Virginia White (Ex Officio)