Graduate Student Awardee

Martín Jacinto

Biography:

Martín is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Sociology at UCI and a Fellow at UCI’s Center for Network and Relational Analysis (CNRA). His research applies computational methods to examine how the world economy reacts and adapts to global economic crises.

Beyond research, Martín is devoted to mentoring and teaching at UCI. For four years, he has served as a peer mentor for Graduate Division’s Summer Research Program (SRP) and the Competitive Edge Program. He is currently a Pedagogical Fellow with the Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation (DTEI) and is developing the Teaching Assistant Preparation and Development Program (TAPDP) for new TA’s.

Postdoctoral Scholar Awardee

Mehdi Abouzari

Biography:

Mehdi Abouzari, MD, is a medical graduate from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and currently a postdoctoral fellow of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery working under Drs. Hamid Djalilian and Harrison Lin. Dr. Abouzari is a translational physician-scientist striving to develop novel solutions for otologic problems using engineering/basic science approaches. He is currently an NIH/NCATS training awardee with more than 60 publications in high-ranked journals and serving as ad hoc reviewer and editorial board member of otolaryngology/neurosurgery journals.

Faculty Awardee

Renée Link

Biography:

Renée Link is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Department of Chemistry who designs, manages and teaches the organic chemistry lab courses taken by over 1,000 UCI students each year. Her scholarly activity focuses on using active learning in large courses to create a more inclusive and equitable learning experience for students from all backgrounds. As a community college transfer student and first generation college graduate, Dr. Link serves as a mentor for UCI graduate and undergraduate students navigating the complex world of academia.