Dr. Joan Abramowitz (1949–2005) was dedicated to understanding microbial physiology and chaired the Microbiology Degree Program at the University of Houston-Downtown.
The Joan Abramowitz Award recognizes outstanding Poster Presentation of Undergraduate Student research.
2025
General Microbiology
1st - Ivan Mendez, University of Texas at Tyler, Mentor: Wen-Chin Ho
2nd - Reagan Chastain, University of Texas Health Houston and LeTorneau University, Mentor: Mike Lorenz
3rd - Keemia Aria, Rice University and Wharton Community College, Mentor: Matt Bennet
3rd - Brent Orji, University of Texas at Tyler, Mentor: Wen-Chin Ho
Medical Microbiology
1st - Jackson Elliott, University of Texas at Tyler, Mentor: Ali Azghani
2nd - Senna Al-Hashmi, Dallas College Mentor: Sin Min Mak and Megan Romeo
3rd - Ben Klemp, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Brandon Kim
2024
General Microbiology
1st - Aurelio Del Carmen, Sam Houston State University, Mentor: Todd Primm/Madhusudan Karki
2nd - Natalie Meklenburg, Texas A&M University-Galveston, Mentor: Jessica Labonte
3rd - Madison Schultz, Sam Houston State University, Mentor: Todd Primm/Madhusudan Karki
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st - Harish Jawahar, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Nick Dillon
2nd - Cora Kosnick, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston/Rice University, Mentor: Heidi Kaplan
3rd - Spandan Mukherjee, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Juan Sanchez
2023
General Microbiology
1st - Swami Sadanala, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Nicole De Nisco
2nd - Eesha Desai, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Nicole De Nisco
2022
General Microbiology
Julie Nguyen, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Kelli Palmer
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st - Luke Hamilton, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
2nd - Alex Caron, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
2021
Medical and Molecular Microbiology
1st - Robyn Alba, University of North Texas, Mentor: Calvin Henard
2nd - Irene N. Hau, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Nicole DeNisco
Phage and Environmental Microbiology
Bryce Jones, St. Edward's University, Mentor: Claire Edwards
2016
Environmental Microbiology
1st - Annie Kwok, Baylor University, Mentor: Sanghoon Kang
2nd - Reavelyn Pray, Del Mar College, Mentor: Daisy Zhang/Richard Overath
Medical Microbiology
1st - Madeline Bush, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
2nd - Sara Ping, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Kelli Palmer
Molecular Microbiology
1st - Megan McCurry, Rice University, Mentor: Yousif Shamoo
2nd - Christina Koo, University of Texas at Arlington, Mentor: Woo-Suk Chang
2015
Medical Microbiology
1st - Luis Valencia, Texas A&M University-College Station, Mentor: Sangeeta Khare
2nd - Kyra Curtis, Baylor University, Mentor: Diane Hartman
Molecular Microbiology
1st - Karthik Hullahalli, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Kelli Palmer
2nd - Matthew Breuer, Sam Houston State University, Mentor: Anne Gaillard
3rd - Christina Koo, University of Texas at Arlington, Mentor: Woo-Suk Chang
2014
Medical Microbiology
1st - John Pinard, Sam Houston State University, Mentor: Todd Primm
2nd - Jaffar Altowaileb, University of Texas Medical Branch, Mentor: Jaffar Altowaileb
Molecular Microbiology
1st - Ardalan Sharifi, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Kelli Palmer
2nd - Julie Heffler, University of Houston & University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Mentor: Kevin Morano