Dr. Orville Wyss (1912–1993) was an esteemed microbiologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas, where he chaired Microbiology from 1959 to 1969. Known for his research on bacterial resistance, he was President of the American Society for Microbiology (1964–1965).
The Orville Wyss Award recognizes outstanding Poster Presentation of Undergraduate Student research.
2025
Antimicrobial Microbiology
1st – Braden Chadwick, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
2nd – Robin Crane, Texas Woman’s University, Mentor: Camelia Maier
3rd – Jacob Alford, University of Texas at San Antonio, Mentor: Mark Eppinger
Bacteriophage Microbiology
1st – Enya Hoxha, Texas A&M University-College Station, Mentor: Jolene Ramsey
1st – Mia Lombardo, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
2nd – Barnabas Baliraine, LeTourneau University, Mentor: Frederick Baliraine/Josh McLoud
2nd – Varsha Upadhyayulla, Baylor University, Mentor: Tammy Adair
3rd – Heather Shaw, LeTourneau University, Mentor: Frederick Baliraine/Josh McLoud
3rd – Simran Pereira, University of North Texas, Mentor: Lee Hughes
General Microbiology
Theodore Nguyen, University of Dallas, Mentor: William Cody
Molecular & Environmental Microbiology and Genetics
1st – Madison Schultz, Sam Houston State University, Mentor: Todd Primm/Madhusudan Karki
2nd – Elizabeth John, Baylor University, Mentor: Bessie Kebaara
3rd – Linzee Pacheco, Del Mar College, Mentor: Daisy Zhang/Cheryl Lumibao
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st – Kayli Denny, University of Texas at Tyler, Mentor: Ali Azghani
2nd – Cora Kosnick, Rice University/University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Mentor: Heidi Kaplan
3rd – Rylee King, Texas A&M University-College Station, Mentor: James Samuel
2024
Antimicrobial Microbiology
1st – Dalila Aranday, St. Edward’s University, Mentor: Trish Baynham
2nd – Rima Shaaban, Lamar University, Mentor: Ashwini Kucknoor
Bacteriophage Microbiology
1st – Cassie Dume, Baylor University, Mentor: Tammy Adair
1st – Elizabeth Rocklage, Del Mar College, Mentor: Daisy Zhang
2nd – Drew Lessert, LeTourneau University, Mentor: Frederick Baliraine/Josh McLoud
2nd – Brahmi Prayaga, Baylor University, Mentor: Tammy Adair
3rd – Reagan Chastain, LeTourneau University, Mentor: Frederick Baliraine/Josh McLoud
3rd – Dinili Suraweera, Baylor University, Mentor: Evan Woods
General Microbiology
Madeline Giner, University of Texas at San Antonio, Mentor: Soo Chan Lee
Molecular & Environmental Microbiology and Genetics
1st – Elizabeth John, Baylor University, Mentor: Bessie Kebaara
2nd – Andy Corliss, Rice University, Mentor: Joff Silberg/James Chappell
3rd – Angelina Viola, University of Dallas, Mentor: William Cody
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st – Jessica Guilhas, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
2nd – George Jose, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Juan Sanchez
3rd – Antonio Rame, University of Dallas, Mentor: William Cody
2023
Bacteriophage Microbiology
1st – Clarissa Martinez, LeTourneau University, Mentor: Jose Andrade
2nd – Jessica Blakely, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
3rd – Ian Haines, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
Environmental Microbiology
1st – Nichole Abrego, St. Edward’s University, Mentor: Trish Baynham
2nd – Macy Frost, Abilene Christian University, Mentor: Jennifer Huddleston
3rd – Dalila Aranday, St. Edward’s University, Mentor: Trish Baynham
General Microbiology
Lillian Wilson, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
Molecular Microbiology and Genetics
1st – Christina Gu, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Larry Reitzer
2nd – Kaitlyn Mathews, LeTourneau University, Mentor: Frederick Baliraine/Josh McLoud
3rd – Michael Delgado, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st – Star Okolie, University of Texas at Dallas, Mentor: Nicole De Nisco
2nd – Kelsey Waite, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
3rd – Emerie Danson, St. Edward’s University, Mentor: Lisa Gold
2022
Antimicrobial Microbiology
1st – Claire Ely, Abilene Christian University, Mentor: Jennifer Hennigan
2nd – Savannah Orton, LeTourneau University & Sam Houston State University, Mentor: Todd Primm/Aaron Lynne/Jeremy Bechelli
Bacteriophage Microbiology
1st – Christina A. Holder, LeTourneau University, Mentor: Frederick N. Baliraine
2nd – Aryana Pernarelli, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
3rd – Cole Moore, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
Basic and Environmental Microbiology
1st – Kennedy Coleman, Rice University, Mentor: Adrienne M.S. Correa
2nd – Hannah Bovermann, University of Texas at Arlington, Mentor: Joseph Boll
3rd – Kathleen Leever, University of Texas at Austin/University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Mentor: Brett Baker
General Microbiology
Teresa Sullivan, Texas A&M University-College Station, Mentor: Ry Young
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st – Bella Kouretas, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
2nd – Victoria Adeleke, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
2021
Bacteriophage and Antimicrobial Microbiology
1st – Matt Bristerpostma, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
2nd – Ashley Suris, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
Basic and Environmental Microbiology
1st – Caroline Podvin, St. Edward’s University, Mentor: Trish Baynham
2nd – Nathan H. Klobusnik, Texas A&M University-Galveston, Mentor: Jessica Labonte
General Microbiology
Lindsey K. Bailey, Texas A&M University-College Station Veterinary School, Mentor: Artem S. Rogovskyy
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st – Faith Cox, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
2nd – Rachel C. Diaz, Texas Tech University, Mentor: Allie Clinton Smith
2019
Bacteriophage and Antimicrobial Microbiology
1st – Abigail Ballard, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
2nd – Annabelle Malinowski, LeTourneau University, Mentor: Frederick Baliraine
3rd – Adey Awah, Texas A&M University, Mentor: Ry Young
Basic and Environmental Microbiology
1st – Allison White, St. Edward’s University, Mentor: Patricia Bilinski
2nd – Armon Amini, Sam Houston State University, Mentor: Anne Gaillard
3rd – Angelo Wong, Baylor University, Mentor: Bessie Kebaara
General Microbiology
Tiffany Lee, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st – Quinn Losefsky, Texas Christian University, Mentor: Shauna McGillivray
2nd – Shandis Fancher, University of Texas at Tyler, Mentor: Ali Azghani
3rd – Andrea Josefina Lopez, Texas Tech University, Mentor: Allie Smith
2018
Antimicrobial Microbiology
1st – Kaitlin Casanova, University of Dallas, Mentor: William Cody
2nd – Paytan Stubbs, Midwestern State University, Mentor: Jim Masuoka
Bacteriophage Microbiology
1st – Leeila Hanson, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
2nd – Isaiah Ortega, University of North Texas, Mentor: Lee Hughes
3rd – Austin Sivoravong, University of North Texas, Mentor: Lee Hughes
Basic and Environmental Microbiology
1st – Priyal Patel, University of Texas at Tyler, Mentor: Ri-Qing Yu
2nd – David L. Hutton III, Hardin-Simmons University, Mentor: Jennifer Hennigan
General Microbiology
Camille Trautman, Tarleton State University, Mentor: Dustin Edwards
Honorable Mention
Joy Collins, Lamar University, Mentor: Robert Corbett
Pathogenic Microbiology
1st – Shawna Gallegos, Texas Tech University, Mentor: Kendra Rumbaugh
2nd – Armand Northcut, Texas Tech University, Mentor: Kendra Rumbaugh