2026 Recipients: Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentoring

Magdalene Kuznia

she/her
Nursing PhD program
Nomination submitted by Ulrike Muench, RN, PhD (Faculty)

"Maggie is widely recognized as the person students turn to, whether for research guidance, statistical troubleshooting, professional decision-making, or personal reassurance during challenging phases of doctoral training."

‌"She is an outstanding teacher, a generous and effective mentor, and someone who consistently elevates the learning environment for everyone around her. Her contributions have had a tangible impact on students’ skills, confidence, and intellectual development."
 

Audrey Magsig

she/her
Neuroscience PhD program
Nominations submitted by Jeanne Paz, PhD (Faculty) and Isaac Chang (Graduate Student)

"[Audrey] is a scientist of exceptional skill, a teacher of remarkable patience, and a mentor whose influence radiates through every student she supports. She trains with rigor, leads with empathy, and inspires with authenticity."

‌"I am so unbelievably lucky to have my first official laboratory research experience under her guidance, because I can confidently say that this journey would be significantly more terrifying and difficult had my mentor been anyone of less love and patience. She has been there for me every step of the way, and goes above and beyond to make Paz lab a comfortable space."
 

Alonso Torres, Jr.

he/him
Bioengineering PhD Program
Nomination submitted by Shuvo Roy, PhD (Faculty)

"Alonso’s mentorship extended well beyond research. He is a father, a coach, and a scientist, and watching him navigate these responsibilities with presence and integrity taught me that it is possible to pursue excellence in academia while still living a full and grounded life."

"‌I have noted that Alonso finds immense value in sharing his knowledge with others, which is evident when his mentees realize their own goals under Alonso’s tutelage. Many of his mentees have completed their tenure with a deep appreciation of the scientific work, and they typically cite Alonso as a pivotal influence in their successful experiences."
 

Stephanie Brener
she/her
Bioengineering PhD program
Nomination submitted by Karena Balagula (Staff)

"I use the skills she taught me every day and approach problems with the systematic thinking she modeled. Stephanie's willingness to invest significant time and energy in mentoring a high school student shows her commitment to developing the next generation of researchers."

Jennifer Dunn
she/her
Sociology PhD program
Nomination submitted by Jennifer James, PhD (Faculty)

"...at the time she and other students started, our program didn’t really have any scholars with expertise in reproductive health; she created the supportive and collective environment that other students needed and provided feedback and cheerleading during a difficult time for many students.”

Catherine Shin
she/her
Chemistry and Chemical Biology PhD program
Nomination submitted by Willow Coyote-Maestas, PhD (Faculty)

“She has been a rock for everyone in the lab, selflessly serving as a foundation for lab members and continually working to ensure each person feels a sense of belonging and is supported.”

Andrea DeRogatis, PhD, MS

she/her
Department of Dermatology
Nomination submitted by Rio Barrere-Cain (Graduate Student)

"There is a reason my family and friends know Andi by name: when they ask me about my research one of the first things I share is how mentorship from Andi fuels my scientific curiosity and nurtures me. Andi’s holistic mentorship extends to many others, both within and outside our lab."

"Andi is my go-to person for navigating academia. She has offered insightful advice on professional interactions and has provided steady emotional support during key transitions."
 

Konstantinos Stasinos, MD, PhD

he/him
Department of Pathology
Nomination submitted by Yuefei Zhu, PhD (Postdoc)

"Over his first year at UCSF, [Konstantinos] has championed voices in biomedical research, fostering a supportive ecosystem that propels mentees toward academic and professional success. His approach, rooted in empathy, rigor, and strategic guidance, exemplifies the multifaceted mentoring needed in today’s diverse scientific community."

"He proactively mentors others, opening doors that might otherwise be closed. He holds weekly meetings with students, guiding master’s and undergraduate students on spatial transcriptomics projects during their lab internships."

Minjie Zhu, PhD

he/him
Department of Radiology
Nomination submitted by Jeremy Gordon, PhD (Faculty)

"Many postdocs will focus exclusively on their research, but Minjie has been the rare trainee that has excelled at research while also taking time to help and mentor junior trainees of his own volition."

‌"Dr. Zhu’s thoughtfulness and warm heart are truly inspirational. Through his daily interactions and cooperative spirit, he has not only supported my journey but also consistently helped other students in the lab navigate research difficulties, instilling in us a sense of accomplishment for even small progress made towards the contributions to science."
 

Jon Gauthier, PhD
he/him
Department of Neurological Surgery
Nomination submitted by Ilina Bhaya-Grossman (Graduate Student)

"Jon models the values of openness and clear communication. During my PhD, whenever I encountered a challenge, whether technical, interpersonal, or motivational, Jon has always been the first person in the lab that I went to."

Honesty Kim, PhD
he/him
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Nomination submitted by Zev Gartner, PhD (Faculty)

"What distinguishes Honesty from the many other talented mentors with whom I’ve worked is not merely his willingness to help, but his remarkable intuition for when and how to intervene, recognizing pivotal moments and then providing precisely the guidance needed to advance a mentee's development."

Han Yang, PhD
he/him
Institute for Human Genetics; Department of Neurology
Nominations submitted by Yin Shen, PhD (Faculty) and Zoe Chen (Graduate Student)

"...he played a central role in shaping how I approach scientific questions, how I communicate my ideas, and how I have begun to build the confidence necessary for independent research. His guidance has had a lasting impact on my growth as a young scientist."