Outstanding ASU honors students recognized at Gold Standard Awards

The early evening sun glinted off of the historic Gold Dome at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus as the Barrett Honors College community came together to celebrate outstanding students at the eighth annual Gold Standard Awards ceremony.

The event on April 25 recognized “the incredible contributions and accomplishments of Barrett students” with 144 nominations in 10 categories and 20 awards, said Tara Williams, dean of Barrett, The Honors College.

The event takes its name from a 2015 New York Times column by Frank Bruni in which he called Barrett “the gold standard” among honors colleges in the nation, according to Barrett Vice Dean Kristen Hermann.

Bruni looked into honors programs and colleges throughout the United States and determined they were “great alternatives for bright students to get a wonderful college education,” Hermann said.

The site of the event, under a huge geodesic dome designed by architect R. Buckminster Fuller, lent history to the proceedings.

The popularly known Gold Dome, which capped a bank building on the northwest corner of Rural Road and Apache Boulevard, was dismantled to make way for construction of the Barrett complex about 25 years ago and later reassembled on its current site in the ASU Vista del Sol complex.

Here are the winners of this year’s Gold Standard Awards. Information was taken from submitted nominations.

The Community Service Award recognizes students who have shown exemplary dedication to serving others while addressing and advancing individual and societal needs in communities domestically and abroad.

This year’s recipients are Kayla Conway and Bryan Yavari.

For two years, Conway was a director of Kesem at ASU, a nonprofit organization that supports children who have a parent experiencing cancer. She oversaw the finance, volunteer, alumni, and marketing and public relations teams. She is graduating ASU in May with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering.

Yavari was active in ASU Engineering Projects in Community Service and was founder, chief executive officer, team leader and engineer of Project Koyash, a nonprofit organization that develops and manufactures solar-powered air purification systems for residential use in Mongolia. He is graduating this month with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience.

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes students for leading with vision and the ability to bring others together to accomplish mutual goals.

The recipients of this award are Frank Pauls and Neesha Fernando.

Pauls, a student leader in academia, public health, research and community service, is graduating with bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences and global health. He worked as a case investigator at the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, was an undergraduate research assistant at the ASU Biodesign Institute, and served as an ASU tour guide and president of Medical Directive, an organization for pre-medical and pre-health students.

Fernando, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, served as vice president of Science Detectives, a nonprofit organization that works with elementary school students in Tempe who are interested in science.

The Community Builder Award is given to Barrett students who lead in ways that bring the community closer.

This year’s recipients are Shriya Pratinidhi and Mannan Anand.

Pratinidhi, a junior majoring in computer information systems and business data analytics, has served as a Barrett Peer Mentor, residential engagement leader, WPC 101 course facilitator, Dean’s Advisory Council member and writing mentor for The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Anand, a junior majoring in computer science and mathematics, was a Barrett Honors College community assistant, a Barrett Undergraduate Research Fellow, a Lincoln Research Scholar and an Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Fellow. He contributed to the honors community by organizing movie nights, game gatherings and workshops on topics ranging from academic success to mental health awareness.

The Innovation Award is given to students whose innovative thoughts and actions have enhanced their academic work, research or internship, and co-curricular involvement.

This year’s winners are Mobin Emran Doost and Haleigh Spencer.

As an EMT supervisor at ASU’s Emergency Medical Services, Doost spearheaded the development of an infection care program during the coronavirus pandemic, created a medical radio dispatch unit and implemented an EMS bike unit. He served as director of curriculum for RISE Tutoring, an organization serving refugee youth. His research in molecular endocrinology focuses on enhancing the efficacy and reducing the side effects of the drug bexarotene. Doost is graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in medical microbiology.

Spencer is graduating this year with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biomedical engineering. She has served as a tutor at the Barrett Math Center and conducted research in health-related areas, including gene therapy for glaucoma, developing tissue prototypes for medical applications, preventing pressure sores on bedridden patients and endometriosis as an autoimmune disease. She is a member of honors societies Eta Kappa Nu and Tau Beta Pi.

The Community Involvement Award is given to students who are active in the Barrett community and embedded in the culture of the college through involvement in Barrett and ASU organizations.

The recipients are Anirudh Manjesh and Prathyush Vasa.

Manjesh, a junior majoring in computer science, served as a member of the ASU Residence Hall Association and president of the Barrett Residential Council, mentor in the Barrett Mentoring Program and member of the Indian Student Association. He was on a student team that won a local hackathon in which they coded an app that live translates sign language to ease communication and eliminate the need for writing-based conversation. He contributed to a Grand Challenges Scholars Program project titled “Microplastic Detox Through Nanobots.”

Vasa, a junior majoring in computer science, served as a Barrett Peer Mentor and Honors Devil and on the Honors College Council at Barrett. He was a software engineering intern with Wells Fargo and helped organize programs to support students developing computer science skills.

The Research and Thesis Award is given to students who have gone above and beyond in their role as a researcher or with their thesis work by executing research in their discipline or contributing to positive impact in a community work setting.

The awardees are Shreya Bharath and Jayashree Adivarahan.

Bharath, a junior biological sciences major, has been involved in research since her freshman year. She has volunteered at the ASU Biodesign Institute’s Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, leading projects focused on developing self-destructing, salmonella-based anti-colorectal cancer therapeutic vaccines. She has presented her research at the National Institutes of Health and helped secure grants in her lab. She has contributed to clinical research through projects like Seniors’ Virtual Assistance, where she developed a bedside companion device to enhance hospital experiences for older adults. She has served as secretary of ASU’s RISE tutoring club and has been involved in a nonprofit organization aimed at inspiring refugee youth in STEM and health education.

Adivarahan, a junior electrical and computer systems engineering major, has also been involved in research since her first year at ASU. She participated in Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative and Grand Challenges Scholars Program research, and Stanford University’s selective Research Experience for Undergraduates program. She was also involved in lab research surrounding semiconductor materials and devices and wireless intelligence.   

The Global Citizenship Award is given to students who lead the way in global innovation and engagement by immersing themselves in other cultures while pioneering new solutions to global challenges.

The winner of the Global Citizenship Award is Amber La Crosse, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry.

La Crosse is involved in Omega Phi Alpha, an American national service sorority. She volunteered at free medical clinics in Guatemala, where she assisted with distributing medicine and health care. She plans to go to Costa Rica to do similar work. She was a leader in health and wellness organizations PolyVida and Healthcare Compass, and her honors thesis focused on improving health care communication.

The Creative Spirit Award is given to students who demonstrative creative talent through a variety of mediums, including dance, music, graphic design and the written word.

The winners are Kate Irwin and Brennon Prichard.

Irwin, an architecture major, has led the set design for a musical production and works at the Grady Gammage Auditorium. She participated in a fellow student’s capstone project, a television show in which she played one of the main characters.

Prichard, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in marketing (digital and integrated marketing communications), worked for three years in the Barrett Marketing Department curating content for the college’s email communications. He helped standardize email newsletters and played a vital role in the dean’s email communications campaign.

The Internship Award recognizes students who go above and beyond in their internships. The winners are Natalie Jones and Ella Coxhead.

Jones joined the ASU Student Outbreak Response Team, a group that tracks and assists individuals with chronic illness, in spring 2024 and has consistently ensured that each case is fully represented with interviews and documentation. She has reached out to each organization intern and built community within the team.

Coxhead, a global health major, joined the Student Outbreak Response Team in 2024 and has been a great resource for anyone experiencing illness. She helped create language to aid investigators in fostering rapport over the phone with someone who could be dealing with a debilitating disease. 

The Gold Standard Award is given to students who demonstrate consistent dedication to academic achievement, service and leadership within Barrett.

The winners are Yassna Hematti, Sean Ratigan and Tatum McMillan.

Hematti, a senior majoring in biomedical sciences, has served the ASU and Barrett communities since her freshman year. As a task force lead on the Refugee Education and Clinic Team, she has organized educational workshops focusing on health care and wellness topics for refugees. Recently, she prepared a workshop on family planning and pregnancy for young refugee women from Afghanistan. Additionally, she serves as president of Medical Directive, guiding pre-health students and organizing monthly meetings covering crucial topics such as graduate school applications and clinical skills. She volunteers with Street Medicine Phoenix, delivering medical care to the homeless population in downtown Phoenix. As a Barrett mentor and Peer Academic Leader, she provides support and resources to first- and second-year students, and fosters a welcoming environment at professional and recreational events. 

Ratigan, a junior majoring in supply chain management, is an outstanding leader within the Barrett and ASU communities with a strong commitment to academic excellence, service and leadership. As a community assistant, he provides guidance to first-year business students, serving as a role model for his peers. In addition to this role, Ratigan is actively involved in Delta Sigma Pi, where he enhances the experiences of his fellow members and contributes to the fraternity's recruitment efforts. He is a McCord Scholar and serves as a lead facilitator for WPC 101, teaching and mentoring first-year business students. He also is a Barrett Peer Mentor, providing mentorship and guidance to first-year Barrett students, and a member of Devil's Advocates, providing tours to prospective ASU students.

McMillan, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, is a standout Barrett student, demonstrating excellence in academics, service and leadership. As vice president of Engineers Without Borders, she collaborates on global engineering projects in Kenya, Spain and Vietnam, focusing on water accessibility, coral reef restoration and monkey safety. She is also involved in Venture Devils and the Edson Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fellowship. As a Barrett Peer Mentor, she promotes community cohesion through organized trips and events. Additionally, her commitment to health and wellness is demonstrated through an internship with the Undergraduate Student Government's Department of Health and Wellness. She is also engaged in philanthropic efforts against domestic violence through Alpha Chi Omega, and focuses on enhancing clean water accessibility as a Grand Challenges Scholar.