The University of Alabama

Kaylee O'Connor, a junior chemical and biological engineering student from Fort Worth, Texas, won first place in the Institute of Biological Engineering bioethics essay competition. O'Connor's submission, titled "The Cost of Compassion," was initially chosen as one of the top five essays written on an ethical dilemma regarding biological engineering. The five semifinalists were invited to the 2017 IBE Conference in Salt Lake City from March 30 through April 1. The students were given complementary registration and $500 for travel expenses.

Xuyang "Rhett" Zhou, a Ph.D. student in materials science from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China, was selected to receive a Microscopy & Microanalysis Student Scholar Award given by the Microscopy Society of America and the Microanalysis Society. As an award recipient, Zhou will receive complimentary student registration for the 2017 M&M Meeting and financial support of up to $1,000 to cover any expenses to attend the meeting.

Michael R. Dunn, a senior at The University of Alabama, recently received the 2017 Capstone Engineering Society Outstanding Senior Award. Along with the award, Dunn was given a $500 stipend to honor his achievements. A graduate of Merritt Island High School in Merritt Island, Florida, Dunn is set to graduate this spring from UA with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

The National Alumni Association of The University of Alabama recognizes and honors one male and one female in the senior class to receive the Alumni Student Award. The association also recognizes and honors students in the senior class. The students have excelled in academics and extracurricular activities, shown strength of character and maturity, and displayed exceptional hospitality.

Justin Magrath of Mandeville, Louisiana, has received the 2017 Dr. Catherine J. Randall Award, one of The University of Alabama's Premier Awards. The award recognizes the most outstanding student scholar at UA based on GPA, rigor of course study, and extraordinary scholarly or creative endeavor; applicants may come from any academic program of study, as scholarly and creative activities from within all majors will be considered for this award. The Premier Awards are the top individual honors for scholarship, leadership and service at UA .

Charlotte Watters has received the 2017 John F. Ramsey Award, which honors students with broad humanistic interests who have exerted a positive influence on his or her contemporaries. The Ramsey Award is part of UA's Premier Awards - the top individual honors for scholarship, leadership and service.

The William P. Bloom Award honors a student who has improved relations among different groups. Past recipients have been chosen primarily for improving understanding and supporting interaction among groups for a common cause. This year's recipient is Lillian Roth of Montgomery. The Bloom Award is part of UA's Premier Awards - the top individual honors for scholarship, leadership and service.

Two University of Alabama students have received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for 2017. The award honors one man and one woman of this academic year's graduating class as well as one non-student. The recipients of the award have demonstrated the highest standards of scholarship, leadership and service. The Sullivan Award is part of UA's Premier Awards - the top individual honors for scholarship, leadership and service.

University of Alabama student Chris Lancaster has received the 2017 Morris L. Mayer Award. The award is for one member of this academic year's graduating class and one member of the teaching faculty who exemplify the life of Dr. Morris L. Mayer: selfless and significant service and leadership for the UA community and significant contributions to student life and integrity. The Mayer Award is part of UA's Premier Awards - the top individual honors for scholarship, leadership and service.

The University of Alabama Graduate School has announced the recipients of the 2017 Outstanding Graduate Student awards. Three faculty committees selected seven outstanding graduate students nominated by their individual departments and colleges. For more information, go to https://www.ua.edu/news/2017/03/ua-announces-outstanding-graduate-student-awards-for-2017/.