This award was created in 2002 by Texas State graduate Colene Drace to recognize exceptional research in cell biology and related areas by a Department of Biology Graduate Student.

The award is given annually at the Department of Biology Awards Day ceremony in April. This year (2010), Awards Day is April 30. Deadline for nominations is March 30. This page was last updated Sunday, March 7, 2010.

• Texas State Biology Students doing research that answers questions in the areas of cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, microbiology and neurobiology - or in related areas using molecular techniques. If in doubt, apply.
• Current graduate student or graduate student who completed a thesis-requiring Master's degree or Ph.D. degree in the Department of Biology since the prior year's awards day.
• Must have an approved thesis or dissertation proposal on file with the Graduate Dean
• Must not be on conditional status or academic probation.
• Undergraduates who have completed two consecutive semesters, or are in the second semester, of Bio 4299 Undergraduate Research with the same faculty mentor, and meet the criteria in the next section. Undergraduates who are no longer undergrads - that have graduated since the prior year's awards day and meet these criteria are also eligible.

• Demonstrated, superior research ability, as documented by one or more of the following characteristics:
  • Quality research (published or publishable);
  • Independence. Was/is the student capable of formulating meaningful questions and designing and the performing experiments to answer these questions with appropriate guidance from her/his mentor and committee?
  • Presentation of the research at a national/international forum or meeting such as the American Society for Cell Biology

Eligible students may be nominated by themselves, by other graduate or undergraduate students, or by a faculty person including the student's research advisor.

Click here to download the nomination form. Note: this form will not work if opened and completed within a web browswer. You must download the form and use a current version of Adobe Reader (free) to complete this form.