Robert Logan Nugent Medal winner Ruth Fesahazion will graduate with a bachelor of science in health sciences and with honors from the Honor's College.
Robie Gold Metal winner Grace Hsieh is an honors graduate triple-majoring in biochemistry & molecular biophysics, East Asian studies and molecular & cellular biology.
Robie Gold Metal winner Matthew Hall is an honors student who will graduate with a bachelor of science in mathematics and a bachelor of arts in religious studies.
Merril P. Freeman Medal winner Adeel Yang will receive a bachelor of science degree from the College of Science and a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Robert Logan Nugent Medal winner Abbas Tuli will receive a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry and molecular biophysics from the College of Science.
Six students will be honored with achievement medals during The University of Arizona’s 138th Commencement Ceremony being held May 17 at McKale Memorial Center.
Outstanding UA students are those who have demonstrated above-average scholastic ability, citizenship, leadership and promise for the future. Freeman Medals, Robie Medals and Nugent Awards recognize well-rounded individuals whose contributions through co-curricular and community activities and leadership have had a positive impact on the University and surrounding community.
Merril P. Freeman Medals
Awarded to one male student and one female student. Qualifications include outstanding qualities of manhood or womanhood and moral force of character. Additional factors that may be considered are: popularity, receipt of athletic awards, membership in organizations, service on committees and service as officers.
Adeel Yang will receive a bachelor of science degree from the College of Science and a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He is an honors student with a 4.0 GPA with a double major in molecular and cellular biology and economics, with a minor in Arabic.
Throughout his undergraduate career, Yang has taken an active role in the University community. In addition to being a Flinn Scholar and Galileo Circle Scholar, he has been a member of numerous clubs and honoraries including Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society, in which he served as vice president, Manos de Ayuda, University Activities Board and Primus.
As a legacy to the UA, he and several Mortar Board members founded an annual community clean-up project called Mortar Board’s Clean-up Crew. In its first year the program united more than six hundred students and volunteers from the UA and the city of Tucson in an effort to remove trash and debris from the streets and alleys in four neighborhoods surrounding the University.
Yang also was very involved in basic science research and worked as a research assistant in Daniela Zarnescu’s molecular and cellular biology lab. He investigated the molecular mechanisms behind the Fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental retardation.
Inspired by his participation in the F.A.C.E.S. Medical Internship hosted by the UA College of Medicine’s Office of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs, he is currently conducting independent research in health economics as part of his honors thesis, utilizing econometrics to investigate inequalities and inefficiencies in the U.S. health care system. He continues to volunteer weekly in the ermergency room at Tucson Medical Center.
Medicine and health care have been Yang's primary passion. He speaks Mandarin and Arabic and aspires to be an international physician. Travels to Eastern Europe, Asia and North Africa opened his eyes to the quality of life and cultural differences in other countries and how they contribute to the health care needs of individuals and communities.
As a true Wildcats sports fan, Yang believes in staying physically active. He is a member of the Tucson Men’s Soccer League Premier Division, participated in intramural sports each semester and also trained and completed the P.F. Chang’s Rock-n-Roll Marathon in Phoenix earlier this year.
Yang will continue to work on his independent research project in the fall. In addition to research, he will be applying for medical school and hopes to one day pursue medical advances as a researcher. He also intends to work both locally and globally to improve health care in underserved populations.
Laurel Cox will receive a bachelor of science degree with a major in molecular and cellular biology from the College of Science with a minor in Arabic.
Cox’s experiences growing up overseas and attending international schools in China and Kuwait laid a solid foundation that taught her the importance of education, perseverance and being culturally sensitive.
Having undergone major back surgery at the age of 14, Cox came to the UA with an interest in medicine. While still in high school, she began working at the orthopaedic research laboratory at University Medical Center. Motivated by her own personal experiences she began conducting research, under the direction of John Szivek, on the regeneration of cartilage cells from adipose-derived stem cells to be used with an implant and serve as an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis patients.
As a fourth-generation Wildcat, Cox’s undergraduate career was based on an unyielding commitment to clubs and organizations. Cox has been involved in Primus, Sophos, the Arabic Language Club, Wildcat Off-Road, and Greek Women’s Bible Study. She also is active in the Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity and works as a trainer at the Sahuaro Girl Scout Council, training adult leaders in camping, backpacking, CPR and general first aid.
Her worn Mortar Board polo shirt and golden lapel pin are symbols of her lifelong commitment to the UA. She serves as the current president of the Mortar Board Senior Honorary Society and previously served as the co-director for Mortar Board’s Clean-up Crew.
Cox is an avid runner and has participated in three marathons. She also promotes healthy lifestyles and founded an exercise group that encourages college women to routinely exercise.
Upon graduation, Cox will follow her passion for discovery, service and education by pursing a medical degree. She hopes to develop relationships with her patients and be able to treat them in an effective and culturally sensitive way.
Robie Gold Medals
Awarded to one male student and one female student. Qualifications for this award include personal integrity, initiative, cooperativeness, enthusiasm, humility, well-rounded interests, active participation in student affairs, service to the University, willingness to give more than required, love of God and country.
Matthew Hall, an honors student graduates with a bachelor of science in mathematics and with a bachelor of arts in religious studies.
During his undergraduate career, Hall has served the UA in several different capacities. Since his sophomore year, he has been a resident assistant in Apache-Santa Cruz Residence Hall and an Arizona Ambassador. For his efforts to recruit and retain students in his junior year, Hall became the first UA student to be honored with the Peter W. Likins Inclusive Excellence Award.
In addition, Hall served as president of the Episcopal Campus Ministry for three years and worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant for an upper-division mathematics class, which earned him the Lusk Endowment Scholarship award.
Hall has a passion for diversity. He is certified as a SafeZone facilitator, working to foster a safe environment for the UA’s LGBTQ and greater community. He has actively participated in diversity and social justice initiatives, such as Put Yourself in Her Shoes, combating violence against women, and the Muslim Student Association’s annual Fast-a-thon. Hall has also volunteered for the locally based Zambian Children’s Fund, which helps to provide for orphaned children in Zambia.
Hall was the youngest deputy ever to represent Arizona to the triennial national convention of the Episcopal Church. He also worked as a counselor for a church camp in Prescott, Ariz., and as a Sunday school teacher for a Tucson Episcopal church.
Next fall, Hall will begin a four-year Juris Doctor and Master of Theological Studies joint degree program at Emory University in Atlanta. He eventually hopes to work in canon law or constitutional law, specializing in cases involving religion, and perhaps one day earn a doctorate degree.
Grace Hsieh will receive a bachelor of science degree from the College of Science and a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Humanities. She is an honors student, triple-majoring in biochemistry and molecular biophysics, East Asian studies, and molecular and cellular biology.
As a Baird Scholar at the UA, Hsieh has enjoyed an undergraduate experience greatly defined by her commitment to public service and a passion for the sciences. She has volunteered with the Tzu Chi Buddhist Relief Foundation and Chicanos Por La Causa, earning a Volunteer Group of the Year award for her work in overseeing child care classes for abused youth.
Since her freshman year of high school, she has conducted research in Mark Haussler’s laboratory in the biochemistry department, characterizing the roles of the vitamin D receptor and its related nuclear receptors as transcription factors.
Hsieh also has conducted research at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Perry Blackshear’s peptide hormone laboratory, where she developed a surrogate marker protein reporter system to analyze tristetraprolin’s regulatory effects of mRNA degradation. Hsieh’s research in both of these laboratories resulted in her selection as a Barry M. Goldwater Scholar as well as several co-authorships on publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Currently she is studying axonal migration during neuronal development of Manduca sexta in Alan Nighorn’s neurobiology lab.
Hsieh serves as a biochemistry ambassador, biochemistry tutor and biochemistry peer mentor and has volunteered in the ambulatory surgery department and pediatrics ward at University Medical Center. She also has served on the University's Student Health Advisory Committee.
Hsieh has served as staff of Persona Magazine, the University's undergraduate literary and fine arts journal, and trains in tae kwon do, currently holding a first-degree black belt.
She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa as a sophomore, winning the UA’s Phi Beta Kappa Howard Service Award for her involvement in the community. She is also a College of Science Galileo Circle Scholar and has been named to the All-USA College Academic Second Place Team.
From her four years at the university, Hsieh has developed a desire and ability to effect change in the community. As a sophomore, she founded and has directed InnoWorks at the UA, a non-profit science, technology, engineering and mathematics education initiative aimed at serving local underserved middle school students.
Over the past three years, Hsieh and over 50 college volunteers have raised over $35,000 by collaborating with faculty, support staff, public schools and participants’ families to run two successful summer programs. Hsieh also has served as the chief curriculum officer of United InnoWorks Academy to coordinate curriculum development efforts among the national chapters of InnoWorks.
Hsieh will attend Harvard Medical School’s Harvard-M.I.T. Health Sciences and Technology M.D. program this fall. She also plans to pursue a master’s in public policy or business administration and while she is studying to become a physician.
Robert Logan Nugent Medals
Awarded to one male student and one female student. Candidates should have a record of accomplishments that exemplify the high ideals of Nugent, i.e., active and enthusiastic participation and service in community and University endeavors.
Abbas Tuli will receive a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry and molecular biophysics from the College of Science.
Tuli, also an honors student, is originally from Tanzania grew up in Kuwait and transferred to the UA from the Community College of Southern Nevada after being awarded a full-tuition International Student Scholarship. He has served as vice president for the African American Students’ Association, as treasurer for Caring for the Advancement of Refugee Education and has been an active member in the African Students’ Association.
Tuli is a proud of being a founder of the African American Students’ Association. The club helps students achieve academic excellence, enriching their African-American cultural experience at the University.
Tuli also has served as a resident assistant for two years and has mentored biochemistry freshmen and transfer students as a biochemistry peer ambassador and peer mentor.
Tuli worked as an undergraduate researcher in Murray Brilliant’s molecular genetics laboratory studying the possible relationship between oculocutaneous albinism type 2, known as OCA2, and the 38l protein produced by mycobacterium leprae. The type of albinism Tuli studied is a recessively inherited genetic condition prevalent throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with the highest recorded cases in Tanzania. The worldwide incidence of OCA2 is 1 in 38,000; in Tanzania it is 1 in 2000. Tuli has been instrumental in communicating with both local and international scientists to collaborate in the research.
Tuli has always wanted to become a health care professional. Having seen the health disparities that exist in his home country of Tanzania, he was inspired to do something about it. Tuli plans to continue his studies at the UA’s Mel and Enid Zuckermann College of Public Health in the fall. Eventually, he intends to pursue a degree in medicine and assist in eliminating health disparities that exist locally, nationally and internationally.
Ruth Fesahazion will graduate with honors with a bachelor of science degree in health sciences from the College of Public Health and will receive the College's Outstanding Senior award.
Fesahazion is a first-generation American born to Eritrean war refugee parents, who instilled in her a strong sense of giving back. Their guidance helped shap eFesahzaion's commitment to a future assisting minority communities to succeed.
Fesahazion has worked at the UA's Multicultural Affairs and Student Success department as a peer adviser for the Pathways Program and Student Support Services. She worked to improve retention among underrepresented incoming freshman students, helping with their transition to the University.
In addition, Fesahazion, under the mentorship of Joel Meister, Maia Ingram and Jean McClelland, examined the rights of migrant farm workers. The project examined the influence of immigration policy on migrant farm workers and investigated ways to make migrant farm workers more aware of their rights. She presented her research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, where she won an award for top oral presentation in the social sciences.
In October 2003, she placed first in the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce national youth entrepreneurship program, known as Bizfest. As a result, she then interned with the chamber's foundation in Washington, D,C. There, she conducted and evaluated the BizFest program and developed the framework for Bizfest's scholarship program.
Fesahazion also had the opportunity to be mentored by Jack Zwanziger at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She examined the complexity of the relationship between socioeconomic status and mortality rates. Her research examined the factors most influential to health disparities and she hopes to continue this research this spring.
Fesahazion's academic record has earned her many scholarships, including being named the Ronald E. McNair Scholar, a UA Black Alumni Scholar, a UA President's Award for Excellence Scholar and the UA's December 2007 Centennial Award winner.
After graduation, Fesahazion plans to pursue a doctorate in health policy at Johns Hopkins University in the fall. Her goal is to effectively implement policy in minority communities to reduce health disparities.
More information on the Awards can be found at: