Recipients of the "Best Dissertation" Award

Each year the University of Minnesota Graduate School recognizes the University's top recent Ph.D. graduates by presenting ‘best dissertation’ awards in four broad disciplinary areas.  The recipients receive an honorarium of $1,000 and a special certificate.  Winners are honored at a spring lunch and ceremony at the Campus Club. 

2009 Best Dissertation Award Recipients

Arts & Humanities Lisa M. Blee, History Co-advisers: Professors Kevin Murphy & Jeani O’Brien Dissertation:  “Framing Chief Leschi:  Narratives and the Politics of Historical Justice in the South Puget Sound” Current Position:  Assistant Professor, Wake Forest University	Lisa Blee (right) with adviser Jeani O'Brien
Biological & Life Sciences Fen Liu, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics Adviser:  Professor Kylie J. Walters Dissertation:  “Misfolded Cytosolic Proteins are Trafficked Through the Endoplasmic Reticulum for Degradation” Current Position:  Postdoctoral Associate, University of Minnesota	Fen Liu with department head David Bernlohr
Physical Sciences & Engineering Melissa K. Gardner, Biomedical Engineering Adviser: Professor David J. Odde Dissertation:  “Modeling and Analysis of Microtubule-Mediated Chromosome Transport During Mitosis” Current Position (as of August 2009):  Whitaker International Scholar, Max Planck Institute, Dresden, Germany	Melissa Gardner with adviser David Odde
Social & Behavioral Sciences & Education Stephan Dilchert, Psychology Adviser:  Professor Deniz S. Ones Dissertation:  “Measurement and Prediction of Creativity at Work” Current Position:  Assistant Professor, Baruch College, CUNY	Stephen Dilchert with adviser Deniz Ones

Previous Recipients

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