Excellence Awards

UC San Diego MRSEC Excellence Awards

The awards recognize trainees (undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral researchers) and faculty (for the Interdisciplinary Collaboration category only) who have made intentional, sustained contributions in broadening impact as related to the research and educational missions of our Center. Participation and selection criteria are open to all eligible UC San Diego community members and do not include race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or other protected categories as a basis for eligibility, preference, or treatment. Each year we will honor individuals for recent (past 1-2 years) efforts in the following three categories:

  1. Excellence in Mentorship
    This award category recognizes trainees who have demonstrated significant commitment to and excelled at effective mentorship and support of other MRSEC scholars and students, particularly from potential materials science and engineering students we are not currently reaching.

  1. Excellence in Public Engagement
    This award category recognizes trainees who through any number of venues and activities have engaged a broader community (of K-12 students and/or teachers, and/or general public) on science and technology related issues, including their research.

  1. Excellence in Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Research and Creative Activity
    This award category acknowledges a team of trainees and faculty who have worked collaboratively across disciplinary boundaries on a creative project or initiative that has advanced materials science and engineering research or education.

Each award consists of a $300 gift card and a certificate. All members of the UC San Diego MRSEC community are encouraged to nominate or endorse colleagues.

ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible nominees are current, funded or affiliated* UC San Diego MRSEC graduate/undergraduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and faculty (for the Interdisciplinary Collaboration category only).
*Trainees who are funded from other sources but are actively engaged in MRSEC-related projects.

NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Nominations may be submitted by MRSEC faculty, trainees, staff, advisory committee members, and affiliates. Self-nominations and external nominations are accepted.

Complete the Nomination Form (CLOSED - Award Nominations will resume in 2027, please check back in Spring/Summer 2027)

Awards will be announced at the Day 1 of the Annual Review Meeting which will resume in 2027.

For additional information and inquiries, please contact Tsol Lkhagvasuren (tsol@ucsd.edu)