In the college, undergraduate students don\u2019t just learn from textbooks\u2014they actively contribute to new scientific knowledge through hands-on research. This experiential learning is a hallmark of a UC Davis education, especially in the life sciences.<\/p>\n
For his outstanding commitment to ensuring undergraduate students have these meaningful and immersive research experiences, Chang\u2011il Hwang, an associate professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, has received a 2025 Chancellor\u2019s Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research.<\/p>\n
Said Hwang, \u201cStudents\u2019 curiosity reminds me of my journey, mistakes and all. Mentoring allows me to share those experiences and help them become better scientists. In the end, these students remind me of why I chose my career path.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCongratulations to Professor Hwang,\u201d said Wolf Dietrich-Heyer, a professor and chair in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. \u201cThe quality of his mentoring is evident from the sheer number of fellowships and awards his students have received. This is the third award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Researchers received by our department\u2019s faculty\u2014a tally that reflects our commitment to providing meaningful undergraduate research opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the Hwang Lab, undergraduates contribute directly to cancer biology research, including the development of pancreatic cancer models and the study of genetic and epigenetic drivers of tumor progression. His students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge techniques and are encouraged to take intellectual ownership of their work.<\/p>\n
Hwang views the lab as a collaborative space where ideas flow in both directions.<\/p>\n
\u201cMentors are inspired by the ideas students bring,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For his dedication to fostering that environment\u2014and for his lasting impact on students\u2014Hwang joins a distinguished group of UC Davis faculty recognized for their commitment to undergraduate mentorship.<\/p>\n
About the Award<\/p>\n
The Chancellor\u2019s Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research recognizes exceptional faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students who have made significant contributions to mentoring undergraduate researchers at UC Davis. Honorees are selected for their sustained commitment to student development, inclusive mentorship practices, and impact on undergraduate research experiences across campus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the college, undergraduate students don\u2019t just learn from textbooks\u2014they actively contribute to new scientific knowledge through hands-on…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":36038,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[24303,29525,815,29526,2268,159,67,132,29524,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-36037","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-genetics","8":"tag-biochemistry","9":"tag-cellular-and-developmental-biology-graduate-group","10":"tag-genetics","11":"tag-integrative-genetics-and-genomics-graduate-group","12":"tag-molecular","13":"tag-science","14":"tag-united-states","15":"tag-unitedstates","16":"tag-university-awards","17":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114790851387179268","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36037"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36037\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36037"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}