We are delighted to celebrate this year's recipients of the Applied Mathematics Graduate Program Excellence Awards.
Teaching Excellence Award — Joseph Simpson is recognized for his outstanding contributions as an instructor of record for Math 23, where he independently developed all course materials and assessments and demonstrated exceptional dedication to his students' learning.
Exceptional Service Award — Sarah Malone is recognized for her remarkable service to the graduate community, including her contributions to the Graduate Student Council, her help organizing the Graduate Visit Day, and her unwavering support for program initiatives throughout the year.
Research Excellence Award — Shashwat Sharan is recognized for his outstanding research in nonlinear waves, including a first-author publication in Physical Review Letters. His work combines novel asymptotic methods, large-scale numerical simulations, and direct comparison with laboratory experiments.
Pictured: Graduate Chair Prof. Chrysoula Tsogka presenting awards to Joseph (Teaching), Sarah (Exceptional Service), and Shashwat (Research) at the Pi Place, UC Merced, April 14, 2026.
