Graduate School Awards
The URI Graduate Awards underscore the dedication to excellence at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School. They serve as a testament to the high standards of research, teaching, and mentorship within the graduate programs, encouraging students and faculty alike to continue to strive for academic and professional distinction – both within and beyond our vibrant campus.
Outstanding Graduate Mentoring Award
The Outstanding Mentoring Award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to guiding and supporting graduate students. These honors celebrate mentors who foster inclusive and well-structured mentoring relationships and contribute significantly to the overall success and development of their graduate mentees.
Graduate Mentoring is a cornerstone of graduate studies at the University of Rhode Island. Learn more about Graduate Mentoring Resources.
Outstanding Doctoral Research and Master’s Thesis Research Award
The Outstanding Doctoral Research Award and Outstanding Master’s Thesis Research Award celebrate the highest standards of graduate research excellence at the University of Rhode Island.
Check out all 2026 University Academic Excellence Awards for Research, Teaching and Service.
Submit a Nomination
The Graduate School invites annual nominations to recognize faculty who demonstrate exceptional graduate mentoring and graduate students whose doctoral or master’s research reflects outstanding academic achievement.
Dr. Roxanne Beinart was recognized for her exceptional mentorship of graduate students. She is able to maintain high standards while being flexible and supportive, even during challenging circumstances. She successfully guided a student through the challenges of a modified research project due to the pandemic and personal health issues, resulting in an impressive dissertation and a post-doctoral position. Dr. Beinart also supports work-life balance for students with families and extends her mentorship to undergraduates and post-doctoral scientists. Her leadership in the biological oceanography group at GSO further highlights her commitment and positive influence, making her a role model and an outstanding mentor.
Sungyoun Seo, a master’s student in Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, has received the 2025 Outstanding Master’s Thesis Research Award for his innovative work on compact electronics for future space telescopes. His thesis develops low‑power, high‑speed image‑processing technology to address critical challenges in space‑borne astronomical instruments, contributing to advancements that could shape NASA missions of the 2030s. Since joining URI in 2024, Seo has authored four first‑author papers, filed a patent application, earned the Outstanding Graduate Research Poster award, and gained recognition from NASA and the Office of Naval Research through his advisor Dr. Sungho Kim’s lab. He has also mentored students through the URISE program and volunteered at recruitment events, and he will continue his research at URI as a Ph.D. student with the goal of becoming a leader in integrated circuits for space and defense applications.
Tori Mezebish Quinn was honored for her groundbreaking research in waterfowl ecology. Her dissertation utilized advanced satellite tracking and quantitative techniques to study the movement and resource use of key waterfowl species, contributing substantially to ecological sciences. She has already been recognized with three prestigious awards in her field and has published two chapters of her dissertation in high-impact journals. Tori Quinn’s leadership, teaching skills, and ability to engage with diverse audiences, marking her as a leader in conservation practices and education.
Read Dissertation: DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE: COMPREHENSIVE APPROACHES TO UNRAVELING THE MOVEMENT ECOLOGY OF WATERFOWL THROUGHOUT THE ANNUAL CYCLE (2025)
