Four BME Mentors Earn Awards

This year, four outstanding members of the Biomedical Engineering Department were recognized for their dedication to mentorship, serving as a testament to our department-wide commitment to bridging the gap between academic excellence and personal well-being.

The awards, decided by members of the College of Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC), are particularly meaningful because they are decided by the students themselves. They honor individuals who support their peers and mentees not just as researchers, but as people.

Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring – Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor Colleen Witzenburg was recognized for her holistic approach to student success. Her nominators highlighted the way she prioritizes her students’ needs, both as researchers and as people.
“It is truly an honor to receive this award, and I’m grateful for all the kind messages of congratulations,” Witzenburg stated.

Post-Doctorate Mentoring and Service – Overall Winner

Samir Rosas, PhDBME ’25, was honored for the outstanding ways he supports students in and out of the lab. A postdoc in Assistant Professor Filiz Yesilkoy’s lab, his students praised his ability to teach them not just “how to do science,” but how to be strong, collaborative team members. His mentorship covers not just big-picture questions, but also personal growth.

“I feel incredibly happy and proud to have been selected,” Rosas said. “This recognition was only possible because of the great mentors I’ve had, and, of course, my mentees!”

Graduate Student Mentoring and Service – Excellence in Department Support

Anna Tommasi, a PhD student in Professor Kris Saha’s lab, was honored for her ability to support individuals while simultaneously demonstrating leadership that benefits the entire Department of Biomedical Engineering. The selection committee was particularly impressed by the way Anna supported people individually while demonstrating leadership that benefited the BME department as a whole.

Graduate Student Mentoring and Service – Honorable Mention

Katrina Falk, PhDBME ’26, was honored for her skill to combine her technical expertise with a welcoming, thoughtful approach. The GSAC committee was specifically struck by Katrina’s ability to engage with her colleagues on issues large and small, ensuring that everyone feels included.