Awards and Prizes

The UNLV College of Sciences recognizes outstanding teachers, researchers, and advocates for science through a series of annual awards.

Alumnus of the Year
The College of Sciences recognizes an alumnus who has offered outstanding contributions to UNLV and the community.


Distinguished Service Award
The UNLV College of Sciences Distinguished Service Award recognizes excellence in service to the department, college, university, profession, and/or community. The recipient must be a full-time faculty member within the college and must agree to be nominated. Nominations may come from faculty colleagues, classified staff, students, or members of the Las Vegas community. Faculty members are also invited to nominate themselves. The committee is particularly interested in service that has had a significant impact.


Distinguished Researcher Award
The UNLV College of Sciences Distinguished Researcher Award, which consists of a $1,500 cash prize, recognizes outstanding tenured and tenure-track faculty or lecturers in the College of Sciences. Nominees must have completed a minimum of three years at UNLV, although the entire professional career of the nominee will be evaluated.


Distinguished Teacher Award
The UNLV College of Sciences Distinguished Teacher Award recognizes any instructor in the College of Sciences who demonstrates excellence in teaching undergraduate or graduate classes.

Distinguished Professional Staff Award
The UNLV College of Sciences Distinguished Professional Staff Award recognizes excellence in service to the college, university, and community. The recipient must be a full-time staff member within the college. Nominations may come from faculty, staff, students, or members of the Las Vegas community. Staff members are invited to submit self-nominations.

Math and Science Education Achievement Award
The UNLV College of Sciences Math and Science Education Achievement Award honors an individual who has demonstrated a significant impact on mathematics and science education in Southern Nevada.


Donna Weistrop Career Achievement Award
The Donna Weistrop Career Achievement Award honors and recognizes outstanding career contributions to the College of Sciences. Presented by the dean of the College of Sciences, in collaboration with the college's Executive Committee, this award is presented to exceptional individuals who have made distinguished, sustained, and lasting contributions to the teaching and research mission of the College of Sciences. The award is named in honor of professor Donna Weistrop, who exemplifies the personal qualities, professional leadership, and dedicated service worthy of such tribute.

College Outstanding Dissertation Award
This award is presented to the outstanding dissertation submitted by a Ph.D. student in the College of Sciences, as selected by the faculty committee.


College Outstanding Thesis Award
This award is presented to the outstanding theses submitted by a master's student in the College of Sciences, as selected by the faculty committee.

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UNLV - Emerson Science Advocacy Medal
The prestigious UNLV - Emerson Medal, is named in honor of David Emerson, professor emeritus of chemistry and an international figure in scientific teaching and research and a tireless advocate for advancing the role of science in our culture. This award accords national recognition to exceptional individuals who have made distinguished, sustained, and lasting contributions and played a strategic role in the development of the sciences.

Recipients will have contributed to the discovery of new knowledge or the pioneering development of scientific techniques and methods; influenced others to explore and investigate science and its application to global problems; and will have inspired and elevated the public's interest in and appreciation of science through their advocacy and leadership. The recipient will be selected primarily on the basis of contributions to the sciences that impact our lives in significant and meaningful ways. In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the award is to expand and exemplify the appreciation and recognition of science in our society. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspirations to their communities, and leaders in science education and research.