Isabel Novick, a Biology PhD student in the Mullen Lab, received the 2025 Thomas H. Kunz Award. The Kunz Award recognizes and celebrates exemplary contributions by an early or mid-career scientist to the study of bats, including measurable impacts on bat research and/or conservation, student mentoring, public education, and collaborations.
Isabel studies the phylogenetics, biogeography, and speciation of fungus moths (Tineidae family), specifically the widespread pest species, the webbing-clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella). She is most interested in the causes and consequences of synanthropic life-history evolution: how have these organisms colonized the anthropogenic environment?
This award provides support for Ecology, Behavior & Evolution (EBE) PhD candidates who have completed the qualifying exam, with a preference for those conducting field research in the award year. The award was established in 2015 in recognition and appreciation of Professor Thomas H. Kunz’s mentorship. His current and former graduate students established this award to serve as a lasting legacy of Tom’s contributions at BU and beyond. Learn more about Dr. Kunz and how you can support this award.
Congratulations, Isabel!