A large audience and a panel of experts at Gravitational Waves event.

Two people holding an award in front of a step-and-repeat banner
Two people holding an award in front of a step-and-repeat banner
A man standing at a podium in front of a red wall
Group of people holding awards in front of a step-and-repeat banner
Three people holding an award in front of a step-and-repeat banner
Person holding an award in front of a step-and-repeat banner, surrounded by a group of other people
Four people in front of a step-and-repeat banner
Four people in front of a step-and-repeat banner
Three people holding an award in front of a step-and-repeat banner
Three people holding an award in front of a step-and-repeat banner
An audience applauding
Three people holding an award in front of a step-and-repeat banner
Two people shaking hands in front of a step-and-repeat banner
Two people holding an award in front of a step-and-repeat banner

College Celebrates 2026 Employee Award Recipients

/ 4 May 2026 /

The University of Maryland's College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) celebrated its 2026 employee award recipients at an awards ceremony on May 1, 2026. This year's awardees were selected from a pool of hundreds of nominations from the Science Terp community. Congratulations to all! 

CMNS Board of Visitors Distinguished Faculty Award

Thomas Goldstein, Professor, Department of Computer Science
Honors a faculty member actively involved in a solid research program that has gained significant national and international attention.

CMNS Board of Visitors Junior Faculty Award 

Maria Molina, Assistant Professor, Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science
Honors an assistant professor who has not yet been granted tenure and has shown exceptional accomplishment in teaching and/or research, thus clearly establishing themselves as excellent faculty members.

CMNS Board of Visitors Creative Educator Award

Myungin Lee, Lecturer, Department of Computer Science
Honors a faculty member for cross-disciplinary education, collaboration with corporations and institutions outside the university, innovative approaches to education, enrichment of students' educational experience outside the classroom, and the embedding of entrepreneurship as an integral part of students' academic experience.

CMNS Board of Visitors Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Smrithan Ravichandran, Chemical Physics
Honors a CMNS doctoral graduate student who has advanced to candidacy and demonstrated scholarly and research excellence.

Dean’s Distinguished Research Scientist Award

Xi Shao, Research Scientist, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center
Recognizes the vital role played by research scientists in advancing the mission of the college. Honors research excellence evidenced by the discovery of new knowledge as demonstrated by published work in books, journals and leading conferences; invited talks, prizes, inventions, patents and other recognitions; and, as appropriate, the track record of their competitive research funding.

Dean’s Outstanding Employee Awards

Faye Levine, Graphic Designer, Dean's Office
Jessica Sadler, Program Manager, Department of Mathematics
Valerie Bonhomme, Program Administrative Specialist, Marine Estuarine Environmental Sciences
Katrina Dela Cruz, Storekeeper, Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics
Recognizes employee dedication to the well-being and operation of the college and its administrative units. Awardees exemplify strong capability, commitment and service to both CMNS and the greater university community.

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

Timothy Canty, Associate Professor, Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science
Nominated by students, this award honors a tenured or tenure-track faculty member.

Dean’s Outstanding Lecturer Award

Maira Goytia, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology
Nominated by students, this award honors a lecturer or instructor.

Thelma M. Williams Advisor of the Year Award

Haizhao Yang, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Department of Computer Science
Nominated by students, this award honors a faculty or staff member who performs the service of advising undergraduate students in the college.

Dean’s Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award

Christopher Zapata, Department of Physics
Nominated by students, this award honors an undergraduate or a graduate student who is performing the role of teaching assistant for a course being taught by CMNS.

About the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland educates more than 10,000 future scientific leaders in its undergraduate and graduate programs each year. The college's 10 departments and seven interdisciplinary research centers foster scientific discovery with annual sponsored research funding exceeding $250 million.