Now in its 12^th year, the UC Irvine Dynamic Womxn Awards program celebrates and honors women – nominated by their peers – who are leaders and role models actively making a difference in the UC Irvine community. This year’s winners were selected from a pool of over 60 nominations of students, staff and faculty. 

“This one-of-a-kind annual celebration focuses on leaders who inspire us to take action and advocate for our community,” said Sydney Torres, director of the UC Irvine Womxn’s Center for Success. “Due to the abundance of dynamic women across campus, the awards continue to grow in size, scale and impact every year.”

This year saw a total of 10 honorees in five categories.

Academic Achievement Awards went to Elizabeth Chrastil, associate professor of neurobiology and behaviour; Maricela Martinez, a Ph.D. candidate from the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences; and Isabel Almeida, assistant professor of Chicano/Latino studies. Byanca Carrizales, a senior in psychological science, won the Outstanding Social Justice Activist Award; and Megan Belmonte, director of access and engagement at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, received the Tamara Austin Legacy Award.

The Committee Spotlight Award went to Katherine Thompson-Peer, assistant professor of developmental and cell biology. Finally, Dynamic Womxn of the Year Awards were conferred on Kalani Phillips, a graduate student in public health; Megan Jeide, a senior in biological sciences; Monica Schnapp, assistant director of sorority and fraternity life in Student Affairs; and Rossella Santagata, professor of education.

For more information, visit the Dynamic Womxn Awards website.