Dean Melinda Sheffield-Moore and Dean Kristen Peek, both in commencement regalia, stand on either side of a man who is holding a glass award

Joint Commencement Ceremony Celebrates Class of 2026

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) and School of Public and Population Health (SPPH) held their joint commencement ceremony on May 15, 2026.

Congratulations to the 27 GSBS graduates and 42 SPPH graduates in the Class of 2026, as well as all those honored with special awards during the ceremony.

Faculty and Alumnus Awards

Leslie A. Stalnaker, MPH
SPPH Student Association Distinguished Teaching Award
Miriam Falzon, PhD
Graduate Student Organization Distinguished Teaching Award
Sara M. Dann, PhD
GSBS Distinguished Faculty Service Award
Fernanda Laezza, MD, PhD
GSBS Distinguished Faculty Research Award
S. Wesley Long, MD, PhD
GSBS Distinguished Alum Award
Jere McBride, PhD
Mace-Bearer

Student Awards

Allie Murphy, MPH
Nam Nguyen, MD, MPH
SPPH Award for Excellence in Service
Shilpa Rajagopal, MD, MPH
SPPH Dean's Award for Excellence in Leadership
Hannah Carpenter, PhD, MA, LLB
Utpol Das, MPH
SPPH Excellence in Research and Scholarship Award
Shrinath Kadamangudi
GSBS Graduate Dean's Medal Award
Elias Rojelio Alvarado, PhD
GSBS Graduate Student Leadership and Service Award
Emily Hendrix, PhD
GSBS Outstanding Dissertation Award
Alexander Badten, PhD
GSBS Outstanding Graduate Research Award
Angelica Morgan (GSBS)
Shilpa Rajagopal (SPPH)
Interprofessional Education Scholars