The Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award was established to recognize original and insightful research work by a young investigator working with undergraduates that has had significant impact in chemistry and the STEM careers of students involved. Learn more about this award from the press release.
The award was established by a gift from Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RSCA) given in honor of Silvia Ronco, CUR president (2020-2021) due to the leadership and participation she has contributed to CUR and in enhancing undergraduate participation in science research.
The award consists of $2,000 and a plaque.
Joel F. Destino, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Creighton University, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the CUR Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award.
Learn more about our 2026 awardee, Dr. Destino, via our press release and then watch this video, which was shared at the 2026 CUR Award Celebration Ceremony.
Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award Award Recipients
Dr. Shainaz Landge, Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry and Director of Vertically Integrated Projects Program at Georgia Southern University, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Council on Undergraduate Research’s (CUR) Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award.
Learn more about our 2025 awardee, Dr. Shainaz Landge, via our press release and then watch this video, which was shared at the CUR Award Celebration Ceremony.
Dr. Naomi Lee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Arizona University (NAU), an NIH Early-Stage Investigator, an officer in the Army Reserves, an affiliate faculty of various STEM-related professional societies, and a member of the Seneca Nation (bear clan), has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Council on Undergraduate Research’s (CUR) Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award. Read the full release here and watch her video.
Dr. Shana Stoddard, associate professor of chemistry at Rhodes College in Tennessee, has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award. Read the press release. Watch her full video here.
Dr. Louise Charkoudian, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, has been selected as the first recipient. Read the press release. Watch her full video here.