PhD candidate Sydney Brongo receives Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award

Sydney Brongo, a PhD candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences, has received the UB Graduate School’s Excellence in Teaching Award for 2025–26. The award recognizes graduate students who show strong skill and commitment in the classroom.

Brongo teaches across several courses including Evolutionary Biology, Cell Biology Lab and Fundamentals of Biochemistry Lab. She is also an active mentor in the Xu-Friedman Lab, where she supports undergraduate students as they build lab skills and confidence.

Faculty highlight her impact as both a teacher and mentor. “She patiently demonstrates techniques to whoever needs training,” said Matthew Xu-Friedman. “She is always ready to help students learn.” Nitasha Sehgal noted her ability to create an inclusive lab environment where students feel comfortable taking part. Jessica Poulin added that Brongo contributes not only to teaching but also to course development and delivery.

Brongo centers her teaching on student support and inclusion. She works to create a classroom where students feel respected heard and prepared to navigate challenges as they learn.

Congratulations to Sydney Brongo on this achievement.