2026 Faculty, Staff, & Student Awards
This year, the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences has proudly recognized faculty, staff, and students with awards for outstanding achievement in teaching, citizenship, leadership, and professional excellence.
Student awards were recognized during the 2026 CDS Convocation ceremonies on May 16th, sharing student achievement with friends, family, and the wider BU community. Award recipients received a certificate signed by Associate Provost Azer Bestavros and a hand-carved, wooden model of the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences, courtesy of Micah Sieber, director of Academic Programs.
Below is a list of this year's award recipients and community acknowledgements.
2026 Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences Student Award Recipients
CDS Academic Excellence Awards
These awards were presented to students who embody excellence in academics, as stretching far beyond just the grade one receives on assignments and exams. Academic excellence is demonstrated in one’s ability to collaborate with others and exemplify leadership in the classroom.
It is our pleasure to present the Graduate CDS award for Academic Excellence to:
- Yuchen Li
- Hyun Sung Park
- Sofiya Patra (not pictured)
It is our pleasure to present the Undergraduate CDS awards for Academic Excellence to:
- Qingyuan (Carol) Kong
- Zachary Gentile
- Konstantinos Ilias
CDS Academic Merit Award
This award is presented to students who have achieved a consistent and distinguished level of performance across their curricular endeavors. It recognizes an insatiable curiosity and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge in the discipline and beyond. These recipients embody what it means to be a citizen of our learning community; they are celebrated for their sustained hard work, technical proficiency, and significant contributions to the academic environment.
It is our pleasure to present the CDS awards for academic merit to:
- Anup De (previously recognized with the CDS Teaching Excellence Award for 2025)
- Sulaf Al Jabal
- Sean Salvador
- Joseph Russoniello
CDS Research Excellence Award
This award is presented to students who demonstrate exceptional technical mastery and originality in independent or supervised research inquiries. It recognizes those who engage in impactful research or development that addresses real-world challenges. These recipients are celebrated for their intellectual curiosity, rigorous methodology, and their ability to collaborate effectively with mentors and peers to advance the frontiers of the field.
This year two undergraduate students have earned this recognition It is our pleasure to present the CDS awards for research excellence to:
- Jessica Cannon
- Azalea Rohr
CDS Teaching Excellence Award
This award is presented to students who served as teaching fellows or as teaching or class assistants whose commitment to excellence in instruction and mentorship plays a crucial role in distinguishing CDS offerings. These recipients demonstrate exceptional dedication to student success and pedagogical innovation; they are celebrated for their ability to convey the discipline’s beauty and potential for impact while maintaining a deep commitment to student well-being.
This year one student has earned this recognition. It is our pleasure to present the CDS award for Teaching Excellence to:
- Johnathan Finizio
CDS Service & Community Award
This award is presented to students who made a significant impact on the CDS community through their dedication to service, peer support, and student advocacy. It recognizes those who selflessly volunteer their time and share their expertise for the benefit of the community at large. These recipients embody the prosocial traits of caring, collaboration, and empathy; they are celebrated for their contributions to the inclusive and vibrant culture in CDS.
This year one student has earned this recognition. It is our pleasure to present the CDS Service & Community Award to:
- Vijay Fisch
Charles DeLisi Doctoral Dissertation Award
The Charles DeLisi Doctoral Dissertation Award is presented annually to the author of an outstanding doctoral dissertation in the Bioinformatics Program. It was named after the founder of the Graduate Program in Bioinformatics and is made possible by a generous gift from Prof. DeLisi. As a true pioneer whose visionary leadership helped initiate the Human Genome Project, Professor DeLisi championed the idea that computational methods are essential to unlocking biology's greatest mysteries. This year's recipient embodies that same pioneering spirit, leveraging bold, interdisciplinary approaches to push the boundaries of our field.
It is our pleasure to present the 2026 Charles DeLisi Award to:
- Katie Atherton
2026 Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences Faculty & Staff Award Recipients
CDS Distinguished Service Award
This award is presented to faculty and staff members who embody exemplary professional qualities, demonstrating vision, integrity, and a commitment to fostering growth and development within CDS and beyond. It recognizes individuals who through their actions, effectively navigate challenges, and cultivate a culture of collaboration and excellence. Their transformative leadership leaves a lasting and positive impact on those they lead and the broader community they serve.
The recipients of the CDS Distinguished Service Award for 2025/26 are the faculty members of the Doctoral Oversight Committee (DOC):
- Kira Goldner, Assistant Professor
- Allison McDonald, Assistant Professor
- Jean Morrison, Professor (not pictured)
- Pawel Przytycki, Assistant Professor
CDS Teacher of the Year Award
This award is presented to a CDS faculty member who demonstrates exceptional teaching abilities, fosters a supportive and inclusive learning environment, and exhibits a strong commitment to student success. It recognizes educators who exhibit a deep understanding of their subject matter, utilize innovative pedagogical approaches to help students navigate the most rigorous and complex aspects of our curriculum, and consistently inspire and motivate them to reach their full potential.
The recipient of the CDS Teacher of the Year Award for 2025/26 is:
- Lisa Wobbes, Clinical Assistant Professor
CDS Professional Excellence Award
This award is presented to CDS staff members who consistently go above and beyond their core responsibilities to advance the mission and operational success of CDS. It recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional initiative, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to providing a high-quality experience for members of the CDS community. Recipients are honored for their professionalism, their collaborative spirit, and the vital role they play in fostering a thriving, efficient, and welcoming academic environment.
The recipients of the CDS Professional Excellence Award for 2025/26 are:
- Nicole Bonito, Assistant Director of Graduate Finances
- Colleen Gilman, Associate Director of Undergraduate Advising
CDS Keystone Award
This award is a special award presented occasionally to a faculty, staff, or student employee who demonstrates extraordinary initiative by stepping into a critical void and rising to meet an unanticipated challenge with exceptional skill. It recognizes the "MVP" spirit of an individual who proactively identifies a community need, rises to the occasion when asked, and delivers high-impact results under pressure. Recipients are celebrated for their agility, leadership, and unwavering commitment to CDS’s success during pivotal moments.
The recipient of the CDS Keystone Award for 2025/26 is:
- Charles McGinn, Communications Support