-Magdalen Lindeberg

 

Three SIPS graduate students received awards at the Spring Recognition Banquet sponsored by the Cornell Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement (OISE).

Breanne Kisselstein, graduate student in the SIPS Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, received the Exemplary Service Early Career Award, given to a student who has demonstrated strong promise in providing exemplary service to the Cornell graduate and professional student community.  Kisselstein received the award in recognition of her advocacy work, especially as it pertains to students with disabilities and gender equity in science.

“Ms. Kisselstein’s work in revitalizing the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly’s Student Advocacy committee, membership in the Presidential Task Force and unofficial work with Student Disability Services has resulted in marked improvements for all graduate and professional students.”

Kisselstein is conducting graduate research in the program of David Gadoury, at Cornell AgriTech, researching molecular markers in grape powdery mildew.

Elena Michel, graduate student in the SIPS Plant Biology Section, received an award for Excellence in Leadership, given to students or groups/organizations that have shown a consistent and sustained ability to improve the graduate and professional student experience through leadership activities.

“Ms. Michel’s involvement and leadership in the OISE Leadership Council, Plant Biology Graduate Student Association, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly’s Diversity and International Student Committee, Multicultural Academic Council, Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM), University Assembly, and Graduate Diversity Preview Weekend speak to the breath of her work and advocacy for graduate and professional students.  Ms. Michel’s is an unfailing advocate for the right and recognition of all marginalized communities on campus and effect meaningful change for all current and prospective students is truly remarkable.”

Michel is a graduate student in the program of Klaas van Wijk where she works on the kinase network and targets in plant chloroplast plastoglobules.

Eugene Law, graduate student in the SIPS Soil and Crop Sciences Section, received the OISE Change Agent Award, given to outstanding graduate students who demonstrate standout leadership and impact within the Cornell community by increasing access, equity and participation.

“The Change Agent Award was awarded to Eugene P.  Law for his leadership and commitment to improving campus climate and expanding resources for graduate and professional students, and for his contributions to university efforts guiding institutional change in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Mr. Law does this through the GPSA, for which he chairs the Diversity & International Student Committee, through the Intergroup Dialogue Project, for which he serves as a peer facilitator, through the Presidential Task Force, for which he is a vocal member of the Student Experience Sub-Committee, and through his leadership and engagement in many other activities within his graduate field, the School of Integrative Plant Sciences, and the broader campus community.”

Law conducts graduate research on cropping systems for perennial grains with Toni DiTommaso and Matt Ryan.