Dr. Charles J. Gauntt (1937–2015) was a distinguished virologist and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He served as the President of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology.
The Charlie Gauntt Award recognizes outstanding Oral Presentation of Graduate Student research.
2026
General Microbiology
Taryn Keyzer, University of Texas at Tyler, Mentor: Brandon Kim
Molecular & Environmental Microbiology
1st - Kingsley Amoateng, University of Texas at Tyler, Mentor: Wei-Chin Ho
2nd - Enoch Ghosh, Texas Tech University, Mentor: Lisa Bono
3rd - Akiko Balitactac, Texas Tech University, Mentor: Lisa Bono
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st - Vaishnavi Venugopal Nair, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Jon Sin
2nd - Darla Delozier, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Brandon Kim
3rd - Ricardo Munoz-Medina, Texas A&M University-College Station, Mentor: Carolyn Cannon
2025
General Microbiology
Jacqueline Carroll, Baylor University, Mentor: Bessie Kebaara
Molecular & Environmental Microbiology
1st - Walter Galdamez, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Mentor: Anne-Marie Krachler
2nd - Manuel Chavez, University of Texas at Arlington, Mentor: Cara Boutte
3rd - Amber Busboom, Texas State University, Mentor: Bob McLean
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st - Gage Connors, Texas Woman's University, Mentor: Juliet Spencer
2nd - Isabella McGrath, Texas A&M University-College Station, Mentor: Suresh Pillai
3rd - Sofia Lara-Ramos, Texas A&M University-College Station, Mentor: Suresh Pillai
2024
General Microbiology
Weerakkody Ranasinghe, Sam Houston State University, Mentor: Madhu Choudhary
Molecular & Environmental Microbiology
1st - Luis A. Rodríguez-Rodríguez, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Mentor: Kevin Forsberg
2nd - Sunday O. Olaniyan, Baylor University, Mentor: Bessie Kebaara
3rd - Tallon Coxe, University of North Texas, Mentor: Rajeev Azad
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st - Aeron Pennington, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
2nd - Anisha Reddy Konakalla, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Juan Sanchez
3rd - Kendall Esparrago, University of Texas at San Antonio, Mentor: Jesus Romo
2023
General Microbiology
1st - Jacob Hogins, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Larry Reitzer
2nd - Sydney Hall, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Kelli Palmer/Larry Reitzer
2022
General Microbiology
Caroline Black, Texas Tech University, Mentor: Allie Smith
Basic and Pathogenic Microbiology
1st - Feroz Ahmed, University of Texas at Arlington, Mentor: Joseph Boll
2nd - Megan Burch, Sam Houston State University, Mentor: Jeremy Bechelli
Environmental Microbiology
1st - Alexandra Ortiz, Texas A&M International University-Laredo, Mentor: Monica O. Mendez
2nd - Kelly Carroll, Tarleton State University & Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center, Mentor: Jeff Brady
2021
General Microbiology
1st - Katie Kang, University of Texas at Arlington, Mentor: Joseph Boll
1st - Caroline Black, Texas Tech University, Mentor: Allie Clinton Smith
3rd - Shelbie Powers, Texas State University, Mentor: Robert McLean
4th - Trusha Parekh, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Stephan Spiro
2019
General Microbiology
Whitni Redman, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Mentor: Kendra Rumbaugh
General Microbiology
1st - Michael Jochum, Texas A&M University, Mentor: Young-Ki Jo
2nd - Amanda Marek, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Mentor: Luis Giavedoni
3rd - Ileana Pedraza, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Mentor: T.R. Kannan
2018
General Microbiology
1st - John Ford, Midwestern State University, Mentor: Jim Masuoka
1st - Alejandra Kirkpatrick, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Mentor: T.R. Kannan
3rd - Nicole Elledge, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Mentor: Jeff Turner