Departmental Awards

2024-25 Biology Department Undergraduate Travel Awards

Sophie Cox, Rachel Field, Maia Goel, Layne O'Brien, 
Nicole Read, Ariana Vaida, Yuzhe Yuan

The James B. Rast Memorial Award in Comparative Organismal Biology

The parents and friends of James Brailsford Rast, a member of the Class of 1958 of Duke University, endowed this award in his memory. Given each year in recognition of excellence in course work and research in the study of organismal biology.

Past Recipients:
  • Sophie Cox, 2025
  • Brennan McDonald, 2024
  • Magdalena Phillips, 2023
  • Sophie Hanson, 2022
  • Christine Adjangba, 2021
  • Lucy Greenwald, 2020
  • Peishu Li, 2019
  • Jason Dihn, 2018
  • Samantha Kisare, 2017
  • Lauriane Pinto, 2016
  • Cassidy Pomeroy-Carter, 2015
  • Andrew Cangelosi, 2014
  • Miriam Fox, 2013
  • Kiki Contreras, 2012
  • Jeff Shi, 2011
  • Tesa Gross, 2010
  • Nikos Lessios, 2009
  • Charles Nicholas Cuneo, 2008
  • Jesse Silverman, 2007
  • Daniel A. Luna, 2006
  • Sarah Cork, 2005
  • Angela Berg, 2004
  • Jenny Tung, 2003
  • Sarah Lambert, 2000
  • Shawn Zack, 1999
  • Mara LaBorde, 1998

The Edward C. Horn Memorial Prize for Excellence in Biology

This prize is offered in memory of Professor Edward C. Horn. It is a tribute to his warm regard for students and faculty and his appreciation of scholarly excellence. 

Past Recipients:
  • Rachel Field, 2025
  • Zachary Pracher, 2024
  • Dinachi Okonkwo, 2023
  • Ryan Mullan, 2022
  • Alina Xiao, 2021
  • Nathan Shaul, 2020
  • Laura Naslund, 2019
  • Reena Debray, 2018
  • Anthony Hung, 2017
  • Ashley Gartin, 2016
  • Matthew Pun, 2015
  • J.P. Senter, 2014
  • Eli Wilber, 2013
  • Jason Klein, 2012
  • Nicolas Altemose, 2011
  • Anthony Lee, 2010
  • Helen Rankin, 2009
  • Margot Bowen, 2008
  • Felicia Walton, 2007
  • Jacqueline Ou, 2006
  • Christopher Martin, 2005
  • Thomas Glenn, 2004
  • Matthew Brumm, 2003
  • Juliet Pulliam, 2002
  • David Naeger II, 2001
  • Yenting Chen, 2000
  • Andrew Miner, 1999
  • Lisa Anderson, 1998

The Excellence in Plant Science Prize

Given each year by the plant science faculty to a graduating biology major who has demonstrated excellence in botanical research

Past Recipients:
  • Ethan Gurwitch, 2025
  • Mira Polishook, 2024
  • Xavier Heidelberg, 2023
  • Juan Jaramillo-Chico, 2022
  • Sakib Hoque, 2021
  • Barbara Lynn Weaver, 2020
  • Ruolin "Eudora" Miao, 2019
  • Jade Lu, 2017
  • Matthew Farnitano, 2016
  • Sarah Garland, 2015
  • Jacob Golan, 2014
  • Anne Johnson, 2013
  • Jamie Peeler, 2012
  • Amanda Sun, 2011
  • Sarah Diehl, 2010
  • Laura Nutter, 2009
  • Kolea Zimmerman, 2008
  • Kevin Ford, 2007
  • Kelly Anne Farrell, 2006
  • Lindsay Higgins, 2005
  • Paul Gugger, 2004
  • Katherine Hoye, 2003
  • Wisuwat Songnuan, 2002
  • Charles David, 2001
  • Michael Dietze, 2000
  • Jennifer Lau, 1999
  • Pui Ying Annie Mack, 1998

The Maggie Schneider Award in Marine Biology

In memory of Maggie Schneider, a member of the Duke class of 2004. Given each year by the faculty of the Duke University Marine Laboratory to the biology major who demonstrates the love of learning and service in marine and conservation biology.

Past Recipients:
  • coming soon!
  • Catalina Lopez, 2024
  • Nicholas Kaney, 2023
  • David Hugo, 2022
  • Marley Kaplan, 2021
  • Alexandra DiGiacomo, 2020
  • Trevyn Toone, 2019
  • Stephanie Prufer, 2018
  • Samantha Huff, 2017
  • Emily Laub, 2016
  • Samantha Emmert, 2015
  • Germaine Yong, 2014
  • Stephani Zakutansky, 2013
  • Alix Jacobson, 2012
  • Molly Walsh, 2011
  • Natalie Harrison, 2010
  • Michael Bourla, 2009
  • Emma Davies, 2008
  • Ruth McDowell and Ross Cunning, 2007
  • Cirse Gonzalez, 2006
  • Maggie Peloso, 2005
  • Erin Blevins, 2004
  • Pincelli Hull, 2003

The Biology Faculty Award

For outstanding intellectual achievements and excellence in research.

Past Recipients:
  • Sasha Bacot & Kaeden Hill, 2025
  • Clare Sparling, 2024
  • Alexandra Bennion & Samuel Gruber, 2023
  • Thomas Barlow & Daniel Tsai, 2021
  • Katja Kochvar, Tanmayi Vashist & Freddie Xu, 2020
  • Othmane Jadi, 2019
  • Alvin Han & Jackie Lin, 2018
  • Jacqueline Anderson, 2017
  • Beryl Cummings & Alissa Wall 2014
  • Ken Hoehn, 2013
  • Tay Rong En, 2012
  • Xander Nuttle, 2010
  • Jonathan Russell, 2008
  • Rahul Satija, 2006
  • William Collins, 2003