Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Presented to a graduate of UToledo's College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics who has demonstrated distinction in their professional life. These alumni are recognized at UToledo's Annual Homecoming Gala.
2024-2025 Distinguished Alum
James S. Hatfield, Ph.D.
M.S. '72 and Ph.D. '78, Biology
Section Head of Anatomical Pathology, retired
John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Detroit, Mich.
UToledo 2024 Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum Awardee
Gabriella Pardee, Ph.D.
B.S. '11, Environmental Sciences and Spanish
Conservation Biologist and Research Director
Wild Basin Creative Research Center, St. Edward's University, Austin, TX.
2023-2024 Distinguished Alum
Ciping Anderson-Huang
M.S. '88, Physics
Executive Director, Wei Jingsheng Foundation
Secretary General, Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition
UToledo Alumni Homecoming Gala Video
2022-2023 Distinguished Alum
Douglas F. Geiger, M.D.
B.A. '82 and M.S. '84, Biology and M.D. '87
Board-Certified Surgeon specializing in neurological surgery and orthopedic surgery of the spine.
Trinity Health System
UToledo Alumni Homecoming Gala Video
Inspiring Letter from Dr. Geiger to Department Chair Dr. Song-Tao Liu
2020-2021 Distinguished Alum
Ibraheem Badejo, Ph.D.
Ph.D. '89, Chemistry
Sr. R&D Director, Johnson & Johnson
Visiting Research Professor, Drexel University
UToledo Alumni Homecoming Gala Video
2019-2020 Distinguished Alum
Ashley Fernandes, M.D.
B.A. '94, Biology and Philosophy
Associate Director of the Center for Bioethics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine;
Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
UToledo Alumni Homecoming Gala Video, Dr. Fernandes
2018-2019 Distinguished Alum
Fred Espenak ("Mr. Eclipse")
M.S. '76, Physics
Astrophysicist, retired
Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA
UToledo Alumni Homecoming Gala Video, "Mr. Eclipse"
2017-2018 Distinguished Alum
Leon McDougle, M.D., M.P.H.
B.A. '85, Biology
Family Physician; Professor of Family Medicine; Chief Diversity Officer
Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University
UToledo Alumni Homecoming Gala Video, Dr. McDougle
2016-2017 Distinguished Alum
Anne E. Marteel-Parrish, Ph.D.
Ph.D. '03, Chemistry
Professor of Chemistry; Inaugural Frank J. Creegan Chair in Green Chemistry
Washington College
UToledo Alumni Homecoming Gala Video, Dr. Marteel-Parrish
2015-2016 Distinguished Alum
John L. Kohl, Ph.D.
M.S. '66 and Ph.D. '69, Physics
Solar Astrophysicist, retired
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
2014-2015 Distinguished Alum
Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D.
B.S. '81 and M.S. '83, Mathematics
President
Loyola Marymount University
2013-2014 Distinguished Alum
Steve B. Howell, Ph.D.
M.S. '82, Physics
Space Science Division Chief
The Space Science and Astrobiology Division at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC)
2012-2013 Distinguished Alum
Kenneth Shea, Ph.D.
B.S. '66 and M.S. '68, Chemistry
Professor, Chemistry
UC Irvine, School of Physical Sciences, Department of Chemistry
UToledo Alumni Homecoming Gala Video, Dr. Shea, 2012-2013
2011-2012 Distinguished Alum
Joel L. Mayerson, M.D.
B.S. '90, Biology
Orthopaedic Oncologist
The James, The Ohio State University, Comprehensive Cancer Center