Established in memory of Hanna Kolodziejski, a remarkable graduate student in CISAB and the Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior program in Biology, this fellowship is an annual award for a graduate student who, like Hanna, shows academic talent in both research and teaching, and who demonstrates a commitment to the community through service or outreach programs. The fellowship is open to all CISAB and Biology graduate students, with a preference given to members of CISAB and Evolution, Ecology & Behavior (EEB) students.
Hanna Kolodziejski Fellowship
2024 Hanna Kolodziejski fellowship recipient: Elizabeth "Liz" Aguilar
Liz is pursuing a PhD in Biology and is mentored by Kim Rosvall. An outstanding young scholar, her thesis research combines genomics and behavior in wild animals, integrating neurobiology, ecology, and evolution to identify the determinants of individual differences in aggression. Liz has received research grants from inside and outside of IU, as well as an NSF graduate fellowship. Liz is also an outstanding project manager, an excellent leader, and consummate teacher of science to students with varying skills and backgrounds. Liz’s service to IU and the community is aimed at diversifying STEM fields. For instance, she developed a 1-page guide for prospective students on how to find a PhD advisor, which is freely available on the Rosvall website. Liz sends the guide annually to instructors of 300/400-level courses at IU. Liz is also a founding member of a reading group in IU EEB focused on anti-racist pedagogy and recruitment, and she incorporates these perspectives on Biology’s DEI committee. She also helped revise the Rosvall lab’s recruitment policies to be more equitable and inclusive for their undergrad field techs. Liz also engages in community outreach, making science accessible to the public at IU’s Sciencefest, and mentoring high school students from underrepresented groups in the Holland program, a 2-week summer research camp. Most recently, Liz worked with collaborators at Luddy to develop a publicly available app that uses short scan sampling to collect citizen science data on bird behavior before, during, and after the recent total eclipse.
- Previous Johanna "Hanna" A. Kolodziejski Fellowship Awardees
2011 - Emily Chester
2012 - Harald Parzer
2013 - Liz Carlton
2014 - Aubrey Kelly
2015 - Daniel Schwab and Leah Wilson
2016 - Jessica Hite
2017 - Briana Whitaker
2018 - Kristyn Sylvia
2019 - Savannah Bennett
2020 - Lana Ruck
2021 - Kayleigh Hood
2022 - Kat Munley
2023 - Erica Nadolski
2024 - Elizabeth "Liz" Aguilar