We’re excited to share recent milestones and recognitions from our amazing team.

  • 2026: Ghiwa Makke has won the department and the college Graduate Student Peer Mentor Award-very proud of you!
  • 2026: Ghiwa Makke has successfully defended her dissertation—congratulations to Dr. Ghiwa Makke!
  • 2026: Ghiwa Makke received second place for Best Poster in the ENVISION competition in recognition of her outstanding work.
  • 2025: PI Malak Tfaily has been appointment to the Bud Antle Endowed Chair for Excellence in Agriculture and Life Sciences, effective August 18, 2025.
  • 2025: Christian Ayala-Ortiz and Viviana Estefania Freire Zapata both successfully defended their dissertations—congratulations to Drs. Ayala-Ortiz and Dr. Freire Zapata!
  • 2025: Mekayla Crawford successfully defended her master’s thesis—well done!
  • 2025: PI Malak Tfaily has been promoted to Full Professor
  • 2025: Christian also earned 2nd place in the poster competition at the 2025 ENViSion Conference—great work!
  • 2025: Ben Yang won 1st place in the Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences category at the ALSVCE Research Symposium. Representing the Department of Environmental Sciences, Ben continues to make us proud.