Gokcumen receives Meyerson Award for Undergraduate Mentoring

A portrait of Omer Gokcumen, with the department of biological sciences, photographed in a research lab in Hochstetter Hall in October 2024. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki.

A portrait of Omer Gokcumen, with the department of biological sciences, photographed in a research lab in Hochstetter Hall in October 2024. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Page updated March 14, 2025

The Department of Biological Sciences is pleased to announce that Professor Omer Gokcumen is the recipient of the President Emeritus and Mrs. Meyerson Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring for 2025. Dr. Gokcumen, a faculty member since 2013, was acknowledged for having "consistently been a shining light of undergraduate mentorship" in the department. A common remark among his mentees was the “warm energy of the lab” that made students feel "part of his team”. He was also noted for "fostering critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, [and] inclusivity”.  The award was presented to Dr. Gokcumen, March 12, 2025,  at the UB Mentoring Awards Breakfast.