Trevor Nolan, a postdoctoral scholar in genetics, development and cell biology, won the Graduate College's 2019 Karas Award for Outstanding Dissertations and the 2019 Zaffarano Prize for Graduate Student Research.

Nolan earned his Ph.D. with a major in genetics and genomics program at Iowa State in December 2018. As a graduate student, he worked as a research assistant in the laboratory of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Chair and Professor Yanhai Yin.

The Karas Award recognizes excellence in doctoral research for students in four rotating disciplinary areas: Humanities and the Fine Arts, Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Engineering, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. The Zaffarano Prize is awarded to ISU graduate students who show superior performance in publishing research in academic journals.

“Trevor is an exceptional student with unwavering passion for science, extraordinary motivation, high intelligence, unmatched work ethic, and outstanding leadership skills,” Yin wrote in his award nomination letter. “He has already made significant contributions, and he has what it takes to become a future leader in plant biology.”

For more information, read the complete Graduate College article, "Postdoctoral scholar Trevor Nolan wins Karas Award, Zaffarano Prize."