2026 Chancellor's Award of Distinction recipients (top row, from left) Nicole Obasohan, Desirae Aldana and Anthony James Nocedal; (bottom row, from left) Jamie Li Damonti, Taylor Nguyen (with fellow 2026 Dean's Scholar Award winner Hannah Regan) and Trista Crevoiserat Lara.
Chancellor and school honor top Social Ecology students of 2026
Six Anteaters from the School of Social Ecology were honored with the 2026 Chancellor’s Award of Distinction, and most of them were also recognized at the school’s annual Honors & Awards celebration.
Every year, the UC Irvine Alumni Association recognizes an exceptional group of graduating students who exhibit a commitment to cutting-edge research, leadership or service to the university. Considered UC Irvine’s most outstanding undergraduates, these Anteaters receive an award certificate signed by Chancellor Howard Gillman as well as blue and gold cords to be worn at commencement.
Here is breakdown of four of this year’s recipients:
DESIRAE ALDANA
Age: 21
Majors: Criminology, Law & Society and Psychology
Hometown: Fresno
Favorite class: C113 (Gender & Social Control)
Favorite professor: Brandon Golob
What’s next: “I’ll be working as a Writing Program Coordinator for the UCI x GATI [Gifted and Talented Institute] program.”
Fun fact: “I can do a death drop!”
TRISTA CREVOISERAT LARA
Age: 21
Majors: Philosophy and Criminology, Law & Society
Hometown: San Diego
Favorite class: CRM/LAW 116 (Race, Ethnicity, and Social Control taught by Ana Muñiz)
Favorite professor: Hillary Berk
What’s next? “I’ll be taking a gap year before applying to law schools.”
Fun fact: “I have been to all 50 states!”
ANTHONY JAMES NOCEDAL
Age: 23
Majors: Public Health Sciences and Criminology, Law & Society
Hometown: Quezon City, Philippines
Favorite class: PUBHLTH 170 (Introduction to Global Health) and CRM/LAW C111 (Theories of Punishment)
Favorite professors: Oladele Ogunseitan and Christopher Seeds
What’s next: “I’ll be heading to the Philippines for the next nine months as a Fulbright Scholar.”
Fun fact: “I have six pets (three dogs and three cats) named Thor, Loki, Hoonie, Paopao, Kimchi and Cleo!”
NICOLE OSARIEMEN OBASOHAN
Age: 21
Major: Psychological Science
Hometown: Cerritos
Favorite class: PSCI 166C (Pets and Human Behavior)
Favorite professor: DeWayne P. Williams
What’s next? “I will be completing a human resources internship during the summer, and I will start applying to industrial-organizational psychology Ph.D. programs for the next academic year.”
Fun fact: “I was president of two psychology clubs on campus.”
Jamie Li Damonti, who graduated with bachelor of arts degrees in criminology, law & society and history, and Taylor Nguyen, who now has a B.A. in psychological science with a public health minor, were also honored with the Chancellor’s Award of Distinction.
2026 Honors & Awards celebration
Presented June 10 in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway building by Social Ecology Undergraduate Affairs, the 2026 Honors & Awards celebration included treats, a crafting table and a special backdrop where honorees could pose or take selfies with friends, classmates and favorite faculty members such as Susan Bibler Coutin, Brandon Golob and “Professor of the Year” Frank Davis.
From the front of the room, Associate Dean Susan Charles announced the top award recipients, who were four graduating seniors and a third-year undergraduate.
The first such honor, for Excellence in Research Distinction, went to Joseph Martinez II, who received B.A. degrees Sunday in psychological science and criminology, law & society. The award is reserved for a student who conducts a year-long thesis project, participates in an honors seminar and finishes in-depth research.
“Joseph completed both the SE Honors Program, as well as courses in advanced statistics and research,” Professor Charles informed. “The SE Honors program is a three-quarter, three-sequence program of rigorous research with a faculty mentor and completing two additional courses in research and statistics demonstrate Joseph’s hard work and dedication.”
The Dean’s Scholar Award was presented to the aforementioned Taylor Nguyen and Hannah Regan, who intends to earn a B.A. is in criminology, law & society this summer. This award is reserved for the highest achieving undergraduates in the School of Social Ecology and includes a cash prize. Criteria considered includes academic achievements, research and teaching experience, on- and off-campus involvement, and community engagement.
“Taylor has achieved remarkable academic success, earning an extremely high GPA and election to Phi Beta Kappa as a junior,” Charles said of Nguyen. “Taylor has been named to the Dean’s Honor List for 10 quarters, participated in the Social Ecology Honors Program, and previously received the School of Social Ecology Excellence in Field Study Award.”
She continued: “Beyond the classroom, Taylor has conducted extensive research in both Dr. Sara Mednick’s Cognitive Science Lab and my own research lab, progressing from research assistant to leading independent projects. Taylor’s work on aging, stress, memory, and sleep has been presented at both the UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium and the Gerontological Society of America Annual Conference in Boston. Taylor’s current honors research has been described as comparable to master’s-level work typically completed by doctoral students.”
Of Regan, Charles said: “Hannah has distinguished herself through exceptional academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and leadership. She maintains a very high GPA and earned A+ grades in both Hate Crimes and Constitutional Law — grades reserved for only the top students in the class. Hannah’s honors thesis examined how social media shapes public understanding of law during landmark legal cases, including Minnesota v. Chauvin and Dobbs v. Jackson. Her work was recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, and she was selected as one of just 40 oral presentation finalists out of 280 UROP [Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program] applicants.”
Charles also mentioned that in addition to Regan’s academic and research accomplishments, “Hannah has served as a Resident Advisor, Honors Peer Mentor, student leader, competitive swimmer, and intern with the U.S. Department of Justice.”
The Excellence in Field Study award recognizes students who have gone above and beyond in their field study placements or who have completed an exceptional academic project as part of their field study. The top student from this lofty group is presented the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Field Study, which this year went to Hanna Marceau, who received a B.A. on Sunday in psychological science.
“Hanna was selected for the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Field Study Award for her exceptional ability to connect classroom learning with real-world field experience,” Charles said. “Throughher fieldwork, she developed a policy brief on postpartum mental health inequities, recommending expanded and repeated screenings from pregnancy through the first year after birth. This work reflected her integration of field insights and coursework, a core goal of the field study program. She also produced publication-ready writing in class, including an op-ed on AI and mental health.”
Before presenting the Adrienne Cohen Excellence in Advanced Field Study Award, Charles joked that, for a change, the recipient’s first name is not Hannah. True enough, the award went to third-year psychological science major Phoenix Tat
“Phoenix Tat has embodied the community engagement and professional development goals of Advanced Field Study at the highest level,” Charles said. “Over the course of the year, Phoenix worked with her placement supervisors at the UCI Extended Day after school program to design a curriculum that supported the social-emotional development of prekindergarten and kindergarten children. Phoenix drew on her observations at the center and her training as a psychology major to design and implement a ‘Find the Feelings’ emotion-identifying game which combined stories based on the children’s experiences and interactive exercises to help them pinpoint and discuss emotions.”
Throughout Tat’s Advanced Field Study experience, Charles said, the undergrad “applied her strong leadership and research skills in ways that demonstrated the lasting social and educational contributions that our field study program makes alongside our campus and community partners.”
Charles re-iterated that the Honors & Awards celebration is intended to be a special time for School of Social Ecology students, but that last award of the afternoon was based on their own votes for Professor of the Year.
“This year’s recipient earned the highest number of student votes for the second year in a row — a reflection of the lasting impact he has had on our students both inside and outside the classroom,” Charles said of Davis. “Students described this professor as engaging, approachable, inspiring, and deeply committed to student success. Many shared that he made difficult subjects feel exciting and accessible, bringing real-world insight from his experience as a public defender into every lecture.”
Among the things students praised the former public defender for was “his passion, humor, fairness, and ability to create a classroom environment where students felt supported, challenged, and genuinely cared for,” Charles noted. “One student wrote, ‘Best teacher I have ever had in my life.’ Another shared that his classes made them excited for their future in law school. Whether through his energetic lectures, thoughtful mentorship, or unwavering support for students, this professor has clearly made an extraordinary impact on the graduating class.”
In accepting the award, Davis said, “Thank you for all the students. It is really humbling and heartfelt, and I really appreciate it.” He went on to thank his children, who were present at the ceremony and hugged the lecturer in criminology, law & society at the back of the room.
Dozens of Social Ecology students honored
Some students picked up special commencement cords during the Honors & Awards celebration, but nearly everyone in the room was presented some kind of certificate (or certificates, in many instances). Besides the previously mentioned awards, these certificates represented:
- Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology is for meritorious work that either benefits the school directly or promotes the school on- or off-campus.
- Outstanding Contribution to the Community is given for engaging in any research project or activity that benefits the community at large.
- Social Ecology Honors Program is awarded for completing a year-long honors program and in-depth research project, which is often present at the annual Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) conference.
- Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research is for extraordinary or meritorious scholarship that goes beyond expectations in doing research, including displaying leadership with the project or assisting with a professor or other scholar’s research. Many honorees served as research assistants, presented at UROP and national conferences, and have received various fellowships.
- Advanced Field Study is awarded for completing the in-depth, three-quarter long Field Study experience that is primarily focused on addressing issues in the community through civic engagement.
Here are the Anteaters and the certificates they received at the Honors & Awards ceremony:
- Desirae Aldana, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research; Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology; Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Michelle Alejo-Zamora, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Jocelyn Alvarado, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Melissa Andrade, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research; Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology; Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Austin Ashizawa, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Emily Baker, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Ivan Barajas, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Kirsten Beverly, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Josie Bitnes, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Tara Blanco, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Mia Bolanos-Teque, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Mo’nique Bowers, Excellence in Field Study.
- Destiny Bowman, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Madeline Bruhn, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology; Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Lehli Burke, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research; Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Celeste Calderon-Reyes, Excellence in Field Study.
- Xiomara Camacho, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Alondra Camacho-Tay, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Alexis Carrillo, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology; Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Jazmin Castellanos, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Emily Cervantes, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Linger Chen, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Julia Chu, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Esmeralda Coeto-Medina, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Athena Crescibene, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Jamie Damonti, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research; Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology; Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Annabel Darden Lind, Excellence in Field Study.
- Jayda Davis, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Sampson Deaton, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Laura Del-Rio, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Jennifer Devoto, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Sonja Devries, Outstanding Contribution to the Community; Advanced Field Study Program.
- Nicholas Diaz Ramon, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Kahle Downs, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Liora Eiger, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Dana El-Mouzzaen, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology
- Aidan Ermisch, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Zeeba Fatehimanesh, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Kelsey Fish, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Giselle Garcia, Excellence in Field Study.
- Diana Ghaffari, Excellence in Field Study.
- Daisy Gomez, Excellence in Field Study.
- Isabella Gonzales, Excellence in Field Study
- Samuel Goulart, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Lizbeth Gudino, Excellence in Field Study.
- Nayeli Guerrero, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Ria Gupta, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Ryan Hansen, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Kiana Harris, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Clover Hastings, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Alex Huang, Advanced Field Study Program; Excellence in Field Study.
- Isabella Jiang, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Elise Joseph, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Paul Jung, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Brielle Kelley, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research; Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Austin Kim, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Yu Min Kim, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Kristina Kleveland, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research; Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Chrysti Kohana Takayesu, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Chloe Ku, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Vy La, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Sana Labanieh, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Emily Lai, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Matt Lam, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Adilene Lara, Excellence in Field Study.
- Rossi Ledezma Zendejas, Excellence in Field Study.
- Megan Leiker, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Jiaxin Li, Excellence in Field Study.
- Isaac Li, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Elizabeth Lim, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Alondra Lopez, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology
- Kathleen Macy, Social Ecology Honors Program; Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Zoey Mahl, Excellence in Field Study.
- Hanna Marceau, Excellence in Field Study; Dean’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in Field Study.
- Betsabe Marcelo, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Ashley Marin-Jara, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Chloe Markowitz, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Jesus Marquez, Excellence in Field Study.
- Joseph Martinez II, Social Ecology Honors Program; Social Ecology Excellence in Research Distinction.
- Emily Martirosyan, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Amanda-Ann Mean Lee, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Alejandra Mendoza, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Jayce Miao, Excellence in Field Study.
- Kayla Moss, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Jad Mukaled, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Charlene Ng, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Josephine Nguyen, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Nicholas Nguyen, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Regina Nguyen, Excellence in Field Study; Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Roger Nguyen, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Taylor Nguyen, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology; Social Ecology Honors Program; Dean’s Scholar Award.
- Valerie Nguyen, Excellence in Field Study; Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Kathryn Nino, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Mia Noergaard, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research; Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Nicole Obasohan, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Kiara Olivares, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Devenee Ortega, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- April Park, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Diya Patel, Social Ecology Honors Program; Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Manuel Paz, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Lorena Piche Garcia, Excellence in Field Study; Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Natalia Pilavian, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Maria Rama-McCain, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Daphne Ramirez, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Daya Ramirez-Venegas, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Hannah Regan, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research; Social Ecology Honors Program; Dean’s Scholar Award.
- Krystal Reynoso, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Gabriella Saidara, Excellence in Field Study.
- Abeer Samawi, Excellence in Field Study.
- Frannette Sandoval, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Chanon Sanglimsuwan, Excellence in Field Study.
- Anahy Sarmiento Rosero, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Mackenzie Rose Scott, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Heidi Sek, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Anastasiia Shamanaeva, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Samantha Sharp, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Xieyu Tang, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Phoenix Tat, Advanced Field Study Program; The Law Offices of Adrienne D. Cohen Excellence in Field Study Award.
- Desiree Tovar, Excellence in Field Study.
- Matthew John Uy Basilio, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Shannon Viele, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Katie Vo, Excellence in Field Study.
- Chloe Vu, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Rachel Wan, Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Ecology.
- Mackenzie Wantz, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Zoe Wu, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Lareina Xing, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Karla Yanez, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Issac Young, Social Ecology Honors Program.
- Bella Yu, Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research.
- Samantha Zamora, Advanced Field Study Program.
- Eric Zhang, Advanced Field Study Program.
–Matt Coker