The Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering is celebrating seven staff members who recently received Bravo Awards. This university-wide recognition program honors employees who demonstrate excellence in categories such as operational excellence, innovation and creativity, fiscal stewardship and moving the university forward.

This year’s winners include:

• Darcy Allen, Senior Academic Advisor: Allen was recognized for her leadership across the student journey, from managing recruitment presentations to auditing graduating seniors. As the Departmental Designee, she manages registration workflows and the Weldon Weekly newsletter. Her work on the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and the development of comprehensive tracking systems for academic progress and accreditation data has significantly streamlined departmental operations.
• Mike Mifflin, Academic Advisor: Mifflin utilized his background in web design and coding to help refine the BME website, improving accessibility for students and faculty. He transformed the Student Ambassador program by overseeing recruitment and training, and he serves as a Departmental Designee for complex registration decisions. His colleagues noted his initiative in improving internal procedures and his dedication to student success.
• Teresa Klemme, Business Assistant, Account Management: Klemme was awarded for her role in maintaining departmental operations during leadership transitions. She took full responsibility for overseeing BME status levels in financial systems like Ariba and Concur, ensuring the department avoided aging report lists. Klemme is recognized for her thorough research of faculty accounts and her ability to foster collaborative relationships with faculty members.
• Dyann Segvich, Senior Laboratory Operations Specialist: Segvich received recognition for her management of day-to-day operations during the IUPUI-to-Purdue transition. She manages animal studies, breeding colonies and grant accounts for federal projects with budgets totaling nearly $26 million. With expertise in molecular biology, Segvich co-authored 13 peer-reviewed publications and over 20 conference abstracts, and she coordinates communication with funded collaborators.
• Tracy Moller, Lead Veterinary Technician: Moller was instrumental in navigating recent university software changes for IACUC protocol processes. She leads the tracking of animal inventory for USDA species and protocol adherence within the Weldon School. Moller is currently pursuing certification as a Purdue Laboratory Animal Research Coordinator to further enhance research efficiency.
• Elizabeth Rowen, Graduate Program Assistant: Rowen was recognized for her innovation in creating a PhD Milestone Checklist in Brightspace to help students navigate their training. She also led the overhaul of the Graduate Handbook, re-working the index and forms to improve navigation. Additionally, she stepped in to manage plans of study for professional Master’s students to ensure deadlines were met without late fees.
• Paolo Morales-Vasquez, Lab Manager: Morales-Vasquez was honored for excellence in lab operations and fiscal stewardship. His responsibilities include coordinating surgical procedures, organizing lab meetings and ensuring compliance with safety protocols and institutional requirements. He manages laboratory resources and oversees the training of graduate and undergraduate students in technical proficiency and laboratory practices.