W&M’s Batten School & VIMS honor recipients at 2025 Awards Ceremony
William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS held their annual Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 1. The event honors students, faculty and staff for years of service to the institution, professional achievements and outstanding student-led research, with trivia and raffle prizes interspersed throughout. The ceremony also featured a surprise announcement in recognition of a significant donation by Professor Mary Fabrizio — more details about the gift and its impact will be shared in the coming weeks.
Please join us in congratulating the following award winners:
2025 Special Awards
Special Awards recognize faculty, staff and students at the Batten School & VIMS for going above and beyond in their roles. The awards are chosen based on nominations received by the Awards Committee from the recipients' colleagues and peers.
Outstanding Staff Award for Facilities/Safety/Trades
Brian Watkins
As vessel operations manager and small boat coordinator in Marine Operations, Brian Watkins manages a fleet of more than 30 vessels supporting hundreds of trips each year. Through his exceptional attention to detail, professionalism, and dedication to service, Brian has transformed small vessel operations into a model program at the Institute and is known for his ingenuity, technical expertise and for his generosity and support.
Outstanding Staff Award for Technical Support
Haley Uliasz
As the Acuff Center’s aquaculture algologist, Haley Uliasz manages complex algal culture operations in support of shellfish production and research and hatchery operations. She is recognized for her technical expertise, dedication to service, and lasting impact on research, education, and industry.
Outstanding Staff Award for Administrative Support
Samantha Uylengco
As a purchasing coordinator with the Office of Finance, Samantha Uylengco’s attention to detail and willingness to help others ensure that the day-to-day work of the Institute continues efficiently and without interruption. Her ability to stay organized, anticipate needs, and solve problems quickly makes her a trusted colleague and friend.
Inclusive Excellence Award
Javier (Javi) Pujols
As a graduate student, Javi Pujols has advanced inclusive excellence through his service on the Dive-In Steering Committee, the Inclusive Excellence Implementation Team, and the Graduate Student Association. He is also a co-lead of the Ethnically Underrepresented Graduate Students in Marine Science group and a coordinator for Camp Orbit, serving high school students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Excellence in Sustainability Award
Jenny Dreyer
Jenny Dreyer transformed the idea of campus composting into a fully operational program on campus. She secured funding, organized volunteers, and established necessary partnerships to transform the idea of composting into a daily practice at the Batten School & VIMS.
Outstanding Professionals and Professional Faculty Administrative Support Award
Gail Holloman
As financial officer for the Ecosystem Health Section, Gail Holloman is a committed technical expert, ensuring the section operates smoothly. Holloman’s patience and strong work ethic help faculty, staff, and students navigate complex processes, making her an invaluable resource to everyone in the section.
Outstanding Professional/Professional Faculty or Postdoctoral Fellow Researcher Award
Karinna Nunez
As a senior research scientist, Karinna Nunez leads the Center for Coastal Resources Management’s geospatial modeling program. She has made significant contributions to advancing science-based coastal management, is internationally recognized for her work on living shoreline site suitability and is widely sought after for her expertise in coastal policy and resilience planning.
Robert M. Freeman Volunteer of the Year Award
Andy Sitison
Through his leadership and volunteer service with the Northumberland Association for Progressive Stewardship and volunteer-based efforts in support of the TRAP Program’s removal of abandoned fishing gear from local waterways, Andy Sitison plays a central role in advancing citizen science efforts that support the Batten School & VIMS.
Outstanding Professional/Professional Faculty Advisory Service Award
Lyle Varnell
Lyle Varnell has provided exceptional science-based guidance to public partners and agencies on behalf of the Batten School & VIMS for more than two decades as associate director for advisory services in the Office of Research and Advisory Services. Varnell was recognized for his deep knowledge of institutional research and Virginia’s regulatory framework, as well as his commitment to maintaining the Institute’s reputation for integrity and scientific excellence.
Excellence In Community Engagement Award
Matthew Thayer
As student programs coordinator in the Office of Outreach & Engagement, Matthew Thayer engages thousands of students, teachers and families each year through hands-on programming. He has an exceptional ability to translate complex scientific ideas and create opportunities that build scientific literacy.
Meadow Noonan
As education and outreach coordinator at VIMS Eastern Shore Lab (ESL), Meadow Noonan has significantly increased participation in outreach and education programs, connecting thousands of Eastern Shore community members annually with marine science. She has created programs that have broadened our reach and generated overwhelming public support.
Outstanding Faculty Teacher Award
Matthew Kirwan
A leading scholar in coastal ecosystem science and ecogeomorphology, Matt Kirwan brings cutting-edge research into the classroom while developing strong theoretical foundations in students. He fosters an engaging learning environment and has made a lasting impact as a mentor and educator.
Award for Excellence
Jameson Gregg
As a senior scientist with the Multispecies Research Group, Jameson Gregg oversees large-scale, long-term surveys and logistics for hundreds of days of field sampling each year. His expertise and work ethic ensure that these programs continue to provide the high-quality data relied upon by scientists, resource managers and policy makers.
2025 Student Awards
In addition to Special Awards recognizing student achievement and excellence, each year a committee of faculty and students select the best journal articles by VIMS graduate students. Papers are judged for scope of problem, degree of challenge, magnitude of effort, hypothesis formulation and testing and style.
John M. and Marilyn Zeigler Student Achievement Award
Julia Grenn
Through research, mentorship and professional engagement, Julia Grenn has demonstrated a commitment to applied science that directly benefits industry and communities. Her research focused on challenges facing the shellfish aquaculture industry and practical improvements to farm performance. In addition, she served in leadership roles with the U.S. Aquaculture Society and received multiple national presentation awards and competitive grants and fellowships.
Excellence in Student Leadership, Engagement & Impact
Matthew LaGanke
Matthew LaGanke is the founding leader of the Aquaculture Collective, bringing students together to strengthen professional development opportunities across the Batten School, William & Mary, and the aquaculture industry. He has served as a teaching assistant, mentor and advisor to students at multiple levels.
Best Paper by a Master’s Student
Ricardo Utzig Nardi: Climate change and variability drive increasing exposure of marine heatwaves across US estuaries
In his study, Ricardo Utzig Nardi is the first study to systematically examine how marine heatwaves (MHWs) in estuaries across diverse geographic regions and oceanographic regimes respond to climate change and variability. Ricardo’s work shows that estuaries along the U.S. East Coast are undergoing a rapid increase in MHW frequency.
Best Paper by a PhD Student
Malina Loeher: Virulence evolution of a salmonid virus following a host jump
In her study, Malina Loeher showed evidence of the evolution of increased virulence in infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) following the virus’s host jump from wild sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) aquaculture in the 1970s. The study provides an unprecedented empirical dataset that upends the classic 1950s virulence evolution paradigm.
Years of Service Awards
Each year faculty and staff are recognized for their ongoing commitment to the Institute, beginning with 30 years of service. Before recognizing these impressive service milestones, a Special Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to former Associate Dean of Research and Advisory Service, Mark Luckenbach, who is retiring in August and whose leadership contributed to the Batten School & VIMS’ reputation as a leader in coastal and marine sciences.
Batten School & VIMS Lifetime Achievement Award
Mark Luckenbach
Mark Luckenbach joined VIMS as a faculty member in 1985, progressing to become VIMS ESL director from 1992-2013 and then associate dean of research and advisory service from 2013 to 2025.
During his 40 years with the Batten School & VIMS, Mark Luckenbach contributed meaningfully through his research specializing in shallow-water marine habitat, his expertise in field-based learning and his role overseeing the expansion of ESL to include a new hatchery and seawater lab. As associate dean of research and advisory service, he defended the integrity of our region’s coastal ecosystems and better positioned the institution for recognition and support from the Virginia General Assembly.
30-Year Service Awards:
- Carol Jeffery
- Alanna MacIntyre
- Gregory Mears
35-Year Service Award:
- Barbara Rutan
40-Year Service Award:
- Mark Luckenbach
- Roger Mann