Two Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB) graduate students received Graduate College Teaching Excellence (TEX) awards. Anilisa Biswas received a Graduate College TEX Award in fall 2020, while GDCB grad student Angela Bunning received a TEX Award in spring 2020.

Biswas, a student in GDCB Associate Professor Geetu Tuteja’s lab, received the award for her work in Biology 313 Lab (Principles of Genetics Laboratory). She was nominated for the award by Dr. Jelena Kraft, assistant teaching professor in GDCB. Biswas' major is in molecular, cellular and developmental biology.

“Anilisa is a very enthusiastic teaching assistant that spends significant time preparing for her teaching,” Kraft said. “Last spring, due to the global pandemic and transition to online instruction, Anilisa pushed through with instructions and a goal to reach and help all of her students by providing timely feedback on students’ research projects via synchronous office hours, email and even phone.”

Bunning, a student in GDCB Associate Professor Moe Gupta’s lab, received the award for her work as the student-instructor of GENET 591 during fall 2018. A genetics and genomics major, Bunning was nominated by Carla Harris, graduate student support specialist in the Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program.

"Thanks to Angela’s hard work, this course was both enjoyable and a learning experience for all involved,” said Harris. “She coordinated and led a full semester course that included four speakers and weekly classes with students. Without her hard work and determination, this course would not have been successful. She deserves kudos for what she accomplished during fall 2018, and she paved the way for future students to be student instructors of GENET 591.”