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Undergraduate Student Award Winners
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARD WINNERS Frank B. and Charles S. Bickford Memorial Prize
The Frank B. and Charles S. Bickford Prize is the highest honor the college awards to an undergraduate student. The recipient’s time at UMaine should reflect our land and sea grant mission – with a record of outstanding performance in academics, research, and service.
Grace Smith
Grace Smith will graduate with a degree in molecular and cellular biology and a minor in computer science. She is also a student of the Honors College, and the 2020 University of Maine salutatorian.
Smith received a 2019 Goldwater Scholarship and an Undergraduate Research in Comparative Functional Genomics Senior Fellowship. She is a member of All Maine Women and UMaine Club Track, and served as a peer tutor in organic chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology. She also was a teaching assistant and Maine Learning Assistant. Her honors thesis research focuses on identifying novel regulatory genes that modulate phenotypic severity in muscular dystrophy.
As a high school junior, Smith participated in the Maine EPSCoR summer research program, studying the potential of green crabs as dietary supplements, and effects of solarization — a sustainable weed management system — on soil quality and microbial populations. She also was selected for the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Scientific Summer Scholars Program in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the Amgen Research Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis.
After she receives her degree, Smith will enter a two-year post-baccalaureate program at the National Institutes of Health. She then plans to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a principal investigator in a private or academic research laboratory, exploring the role of regulatory genes in cardiac regeneration and disease.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARD WINNERS Wallace C. & Janet S. Dunham Prize
The Wallace C. and Janet S. Dunham Prize was established to honor an undergraduate student who not only overcame adversity, but maintained a positive outlook despite the challenges life presented them – all while achieving personal growth and academic success.
Ryan LaGross
Ryan LaGross overcame challenges that would end many students’ studies. In the face of adversity he not only persisted, he prospered. He will graduate on time with a B.S. in Zoology and a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Outside the classroom, he embodied UMaine’s mission of research and service.
In the laboratory, LaGross conducted blood cell research in anemic moose and assisted faculty with transitioning to a new veterinary diagnostic lab facility. He also aided with field research, where he collected ticks in order to estimate tick abundance in forest stands, which has implications for both health of forestry workers and wildlife. His capstone research uses zebrafish as a model to advance understanding of muscular dystrophy.
He served as treasurer of the Pre-Veterinary Club and a Maine Learning Assistant in biology and organic chemistry. He spent his summers working as a laboratory technician, testing the quality of Maine’s lakes, rivers and drinking water and in a veterinary clinic.
LaGross also dedicated his time to numerous community service projects. He collected supplies for homeless shelters, needy families, and nursing homes. He visits nursing homes and volunteers at the Siesta Sanctuary where he helps care for abandoned and rescued parrots. LaGross also volunteered as a veterinary assistant for the Champion the Cure Challenge trail riding event.
After he receives his degree, LaGross plans to attend medical school.
“The best view comes after the hardest climb.”
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For over 20 years, UMaine has honored an exceptional international student from each college. Candidates must have a superior academic record and have made meaningful contributions to his or her area of study.
Xuyang Gu (Tony Gu)
Xuyang Gu (Tony Gu) of Shanghai, China will receive a Bachelor of Science in biology.
Gu’s interest in biology stems from an interest in advancing the understanding and treatment of conditions related to aging. His insatiable curiosity led him to enroll in courses that covered a wide array of sciences, and he excelled in them all.
His tendency to ask unexpected questions made an impression on his advisors, professors and speakers at the School of Biology and Ecology seminars he often attended. Gu expressed a deep appreciation for his professors and the work ethic of the UMaine employees who make life enjoyable for students.
After earning his degree, he will pursue a master’s in biochemistry at the University of Maine.
