Raptor Research Center students earn teaching awards

Zoe Bonerbo and Eden Ravecca both pictured with Biological Sciences Chair Eric Hayden

Raptor Research Center students Eden Ravecca and Zoe Bonerbo were awarded mentoring and teaching awards from the Department of Biological Sciences for 2024 during a December recognition event.

Eden Ravecca (Master of Science in Raptor Biology, '23), a current Ecology, Evolution and Behavior PhD candidate studying birds of prey, was recognized with the Excellence in Mentoring award. Ravecca was also presented with the Excellence in Teaching award.

One nominator described Ravecca's mentoring skills. "As part of the [International Research Experiences for Students-Raptor Research] program, Eden and the undergrads attended the 2024 Raptor Research Foundation meeting. Throughout that meeting, she was their mentor and coach and I was impressed that every time I saw Eden, she had a cohort of undergrads following her around… Repeatedly, I watched Eden teaching them to network by introducing them to other attendees."

Master of Science in Raptor Biology student Zoe Bonerbo was recognized for her teaching skills in her first year as a teaching assistant with the Excellence in Teaching Award.

A student described Bonerbo's teaching approach: "Zoe is very kind and gives great instructions. She never pressures you to do anything you aren't comfortable with… She is eager to show new skills to students and you can tell she genuinely cares for us, and how much knowledge we are gaining."

Three other Department of Biological Sciences students were recognized at the event:

• Morgan Calahan (Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior PhD): Excellence in Mentoring Award
• Ben Balzer (Master of Science in Biology): Excellence in Teaching Award
• Michael Wojahn (Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior PhD): Excellence in Teaching Award

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