Honors College Students Shine in Prestigious Research Fellowships
By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu
Eighteen students from the Washington State University Honors College have been awarded competitive fellowships through the Office of Undergraduate Research, highlighting the extraordinary impact Honors students are making across disciplines.
As part of a university-wide program that distributed $56,000 in fellowships to 36 students for the 2025–26 academic year, nearly half of the recipients come from the Honors College. This recognition affirms both the academic strength of the College and the dedication of its students to research, scholarship, and creative inquiry.
“I’m immensely proud of these students. They are outstanding representatives of Washington State University and the Honors College,” said Dean Norton. “I look forward to seeing how their projects develop and what the future holds for these exceptional young researchers.”
The awards and Honors College recipients include:
- Auvil Scholars Fellowship: Sawyer Hicks, Katy Touretsky
- Scott and Linda Carson Undergraduate Research Endowed Excellence Fund: Joan “Jo” Castaneda, Eva Rickard
- DeVlieg Undergraduate Research Foundation Award: Jace Dunn
- Team Mentoring Program Research Scholarship Award: Aminata Sinyan, Anita Valdez
- Office of Undergraduate Research Fellowship: Lauren Benjamin, Nicole Diefenbach, Samuel Faville, Caelyn Intal, Kaitlyn Ipsen, Daniel Mrak, Taylor Page, Cole Wilson, Kate Yoon
- James A. Weir Undergraduate Research Fellowship: Allison Mata, Ari Wilson
For many students, these awards open doors to deeper academic exploration and future opportunities.
“I have learned that I thoroughly enjoy the scientific process—from the planning, execution, and troubleshooting. I want to be a researcher and contribute to the scientific field in more ways than one, in addition to becoming a physician,” said Katy Touretsky, an Auvil Scholar Fellow.
Daniel Mrak, recipient of an OUR Fellowship, reflected on how research is shaping his career goals: “Participating in this research is helping me broaden my future horizons by opening the door to graduate school while giving me valuable hands-on experience with applicable chemical engineering processes.”
For Kate Yoon, the fellowship represents more than just research skills—it’s about growth and mentorship. “Through my time as a researcher in Driskell Lab and as an Undergraduate Peer Mentor, I have learned how to communicate my research, gained valuable skills, and developed a deeper understanding of the impact of research.”
And for Jace Dunn, recipient of the DeVlieg Undergraduate Research Foundation Award, research has expanded both technical and collaborative skills. “Participating in undergraduate research expanded my knowledge of electrical engineering and has shown me how to coordinate with teammates from diverse technical backgrounds who share a common goal.”
From scientific discovery to engineering innovation, the success of these 18 Honors College students highlights the transformative power of undergraduate research. Their recognition is a testament not only to their own dedication but also to the supportive faculty mentors and opportunities provided through WSU’s Honors College.