The UC Riverside Academic Senate honored eight faculty members and two students for their research, teaching, and public service accomplishments in its annual awards.
Distinguished Campus Service Award
The Distinguished Campus Service Award, which recognizes exceptional efforts and dedication to service and community, was presented to faculty members Reza Abbaschian and Kimberly Hammond.
Abbaschian, a distinguished professor of mechanical engineering, was selected by the Academic Senate for his valuable contributions as an administrator, senate member, and community partner.
He served as dean of the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) from 2005 to 2016, during which time the college grew in size and reputation, established a sustainability initiative, and launched an online master’s of engineering degree program.
Following his tenure as dean, Abbaschian served as director of the Winston Chung Global Energy Center, where he helped secure a $10 million gift, and on senate and BCOE committees. He’s also been active in Riverside community efforts, including a program to provide free WiFi to low-income families and presiding over the International Relations Council of Riverside.
Hammond, a professor in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, was praised for her service at multiple levels including the department, the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS), the campus, her profession, and community while maintaining an active research and teaching portfolio.
As former director of UCR’s Natural Reserve System, she oversaw six large reserves and several smaller ones, securing nearly $3 million for construction of new facilities and a $1 million endowment for undergraduates. Hammond served as chair of her department’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee and as an equity advisor for CNAS. She was the co-director of two Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need training grants that provided over 60 students with fellowships.
She also served as associate dean for the graduate division, served on senate committees, and was co-principal investigator for a $5 million National Science Foundation grant that supported K-12 training in the Jurupa Unified School District.
Distinguished Teaching Award
The Distinguished Teaching Award, which recognizes exceptional effort and achievement in teaching by a faculty member, was presented to Chikako Takeshita and Rachel Wu.
Takeshita, a professor of Society, Environment, and Health Equity in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, was lauded for her innovative approach to curriculum development and increasing student learning. She was the driving force in creating three new undergraduate degree programs in sustainability studies; environmental studies; and global and community health. She also designed 10 new courses.
Takeshita was credited with developing formats and platforms that enhanced experiential learning and centered student voices. Students described her as a mentor who has helped many go on to successful careers in environmental policy or social justice.
“What I remember most is her dedication to providing us real, hands-on experience we could take with us into the next phases of our lives,” one of Takeshita’s students commented.
Wu, an associate professor of psychology, is a developmental psychologist who studies learning across different stages of life. Her teaching spans large undergraduate classes to graduate-level courses to intensive research mentoring. She incorporates training beyond formal classroom and lab settings with strategies that advance student learning and motivation.
Beyond the classroom, she developed a new partnership to support student internships and a 10-week program to support underrepresented undergraduate students pursuing research and graduate school.
“Beyond her organization and teaching skill, what truly set Dr. Wu apart was her authentic kindness, mentorship, and encouragement,” one nomination letter stated. “She demonstrated a genuine investment in her students’ personal and academic success.”
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement
Karine Le Roch and Seema Tiwari-Woodruff received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement, which recognizes faculty members with a distinguished record of fostering undergraduate research or creative activity.
Le Roch, a professor of molecular, cell, and systems biology, is also director of the Center for Infectious Disease and Vector Research. She is credited with fostering a collaborative environment in her lab in which graduate students work alongside undergraduates.
Le Roch has offered opportunities for students to continue in research or pursue clinical careers with many winning prestigious awards and finding professional success in various areas. Students praised her for her mentorship and encouraging them to develop leadership and mentorship skills.
Tiwari-Woodruff, a professor of biomedical sciences in the School of Medicine, was praised for her commitment to helping undergraduate students pursue and achieve success in diverse areas of clinical practice and research.
She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications with undergraduate students and mentored numerous students including Capstone Scholars, Chancellor’s Research fellows, medical and doctoral program students, and postdoctoral fellows.
The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement also honors two graduating seniors who have conducted outstanding research or creative work. The 2025-26 honorees are Cynthia Liang and Elise Mach.
Liang, who graduated in June with a bachelor’s degree in physics and astronomy, has produced and presented original research in experimental gravitational physics under the mentorship of Jonathan Richardson, a professor in the department.
She has co-authored two papers in peer-reviewed publications and was named “Most Outstanding Student” two years in a row in her department.
Liang has also pursued projects related to quantum robotics and aerospace engineering as she plans for post-graduate study and a career as a computational physicist.
Mach, who graduated in June with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, has conducted research to develop new and simpler methods for making sugar-containing molecules that are useful in medical and chemical development.
Her work under the mentorship of Kevin Kou, a professor of chemistry, led to her winning the 2024-25 Pfizer Academic-Industry Relations Diversity Fellowship, which came with a $20,000 award.
She is a co-author on a manuscript describing new catalysts made by Kou’s lab and is first author on a separate chemistry project she worked on independently with the Pfizer funding. Mach, who also mentored other undergraduates, is pursuing a doctoral degree in pharmacy.
Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring Award
The Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring Award, which recognizes faculty members who demonstrate a strong dedication to mentoring graduate students, went to Bahram Mobasher and Jason Weems.
Mobasher, a distinguished professor in physics and astronomy, has mentored 20 doctoral students who received multiple industry and academic positions after graduating.
He helped establish programs supporting graduate students including a NASA grant for underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and math. He also helped establish a UCR/Carnegie Fellowship in astrophysics and an exchange program at Hawaii’s Institute of Astronomy on the Keck telescope.
Weems, an associate professor of art history, has mentored undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students by providing personalized guidance and critical feedback.
Through his guidance, the department’s Visual Resources Collection has provided multiple fellowships for graduate students. Weems’ students have also received internships at art institutions including the Huntington Library and the Cheech Marin Center, received prestigious national fellowships, and gone on to successful careers.