VIP AWARDS
Faculty/Staff Award
The “VIP Faculty/Staff Mentor Award” recognizes faculty mentors who demonstrate outstanding leadership and guidance as mentors to VIP undergraduate research teams. This award celebrates individuals who foster an inclusive and collaborative environment, empower team members to succeed, and contribute significantly to the growth and development of team members through mentorship.
Grad Mentor Award
The “VIP Grad Mentor Award” recognizes graduate students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and guidance as mentors to undergraduate research teams. This award celebrates individuals who foster an inclusive and collaborative environment, empower team members to succeed, and contribute significantly to the growth and development of team members through mentorship.
Innovation in Design Award
The “VIP Innovation in Design Award” honors VIP students who excel in creating innovative and impactful design solutions. This award celebrates individuals or teams who showcase originality, creativity, and technical expertise in their design work. It also emphasizes the value of collaborative efforts in achieving exceptional outcomes in design projects.
Leadership Award
The "Leadership Award" honors VIP students who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, inspiring and empowering others to achieve shared goals. This award recognizes individuals who exhibit vision, resilience, and the ability to cultivate collaboration and positive change within their VIP teams and who have a significant positive impact on the team’s success.
Outstanding First-Year/Sophomore Award
The “Outstanding First-Year Student Award” celebrates exceptional contributions made by first-year or sophomore students to their VIP teams. This award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond in embracing opportunities and demonstrate dedication, initiative, and have a positive impact within VIP.
Share with the World Award
The “VIP Share with the World Award” recognizes VIP students who effectively articulate the significance and impact of their research and projects to external audiences. This award celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional ability in translating complex ideas into accessible, impactful narratives that inspire or inform diverse groups, including the public, industry professionals, or other stakeholders.
VIP Award Winners: 2025
Faculty/Staff Award
Dr. Qiang Qiu - AI for Education
Grad Mentor Award
Niall Patrick Maloney - PART
Younggil "Joshua" Chang - SWARMS
Innovation in Design Award
Race to Zero (team)
Leadership Award
Arjun Gupte - Pre-trained Models
Colby Acton - AI for Education
Jay Gandhi - SWARMS
Renee Patton - WMS Daniels/IBE evKart Marketing
Outstanding First-Year/Sophomore Award
Aleks Ratkovic - TracSat
James Curley - WMS Manufacturing Optimization
Leo Benaharon - IPA
Sophia Hester - WMS Daniels/IBE evKart
Share with the World Award
Earth History Visualization (team)