Last fall, University Libraries invited graduate and undergraduate students from all disciplines to apply for the Katheryne B. Willock Library Research Award. We received 54 applications.

The award, which includes $1,000 for each winner, recognizes students who used our library resources and services to conduct independent research and produce an original project. 

Congratulations to our 2026 winners! 

Undergraduate 

• Jake Brumley
• Kiyan Saissa
• Olivia Sobczak
• Nahush Tirumala

Graduate 

• Bakht Ansari
• Vanessa Macamo 
• Azmat Sidhu
• Jazzie Terrell
• Hercilio Eduardo Zimila

Special thanks to our Willock Awards Selection Committee

Jennifer Nichols
Associate Librarian, Director of CATalyst Studios

Jeremiah Paschke-Wood
Department Head, Student Learning & Engagement 

Tara Radniecki
Associate Dean, Administration

Verónica Reyes-Escudero
Department Head, Special Collections

Megan Senseney
Department Head, Research Engagement

Mary Simons
Executive Associate to the Deans, Development, and Faculty Affairs Lead, Administration

About Katheryne B. Willock

The late Katheryne (Kate) Willock generously endowed this award. Kate received her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and taught a course in biology at the University of Arizona. She spent several years as Assistant Territorial Archaeologist in the U.S. Virgin Islands and conducted archaeological fieldwork in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Vieques, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, and the southwestern United States. Willock was an ardent supporter of the University Libraries and was vocal in championing the value the library brings to campus.