2026 Graduate Awards Announced

April 29, 2026

The 28th annual Graduate Awards Ceremony celebrated the achievements of graduate students, staff, and faculty in the School of Engineering and School of Arts and Sciences.

Graduate award winners from left to right: Amirali Asadian, Tanushree Burman, Marco Donato, Ethan Harvey, Jay Kim, Azhar Mohammed, Varun Nair, Claudia Navarro, Victor Oludare, Jane Seminara, and Ronald Thompson

At the 2026 graduate awards ceremony on April 24, two School of Engineering (SOE) faculty members, six students, and two alumni were recognized for their outstanding achievements in engineering outreach, mentorship, and scholarship.

Marco Donato, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science, and Jane Seminara, senior lecturer at the Gordon Institute, both received the SOE Faculty Teaching and Mentoring Award. This award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding support of a graduate student (or students) from course completion through research and post-degree placement.

Ph.D. candidates Ethan Harvey of the Department of Computer Science, Azhar Mohammed of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Claudia Navarro of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Ronald Thompson of the Department of Computer Science received the SOE Award for Outstanding Academic Scholarship. This award honors students who have distinguished themselves in research.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Ph.D. candidate Amirali Asadian received the SOE award for Outstanding Graduate Contributor to Engineering Education, which honors students who have significantly enhanced education programs through their work as teaching assistant, volunteer, or other activities.

Varun Nair, master’s student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, received the SoE Award for Commitment to the Practice of Engineering. This award recognizes graduate students who bring a substantial record of practice-based experience and accomplishment to their graduate studies.

Ph.D. candidate Tanushree Burman of the Department of Computer Science received the Graduate Student Council Service award.

SOE alumnus Jay Kim, EG06, received the SOE Outstanding Career Achievement Award, honoring alumnus who have excelled in their career. Victor Oludare, EG22, received the SOE Outstanding Service Award for exceptional contributions to Tufts and the broader community.

Learn more about the graduate award winners.

Tags: