2026 President's Distinguished Service Award Recipients

Biology, Environmental Science, Honors College

Amherst, Ohio

Ethan Belak graduated in December 2025 with a double major in Biology and Environmental Science and is co-enrolled in a Master of Environmental Science program, where he will defend his thesis this May. He is a member of Miami University’s Honors College, a Goldwater Scholar and published researcher. Ethan is a contributing author on a peer-reviewed paper with additional manuscripts currently under review. He has also represented his work at a national geoscience conference through multiple poster presentations.

One nominator described Ethan as “a modern renaissance environmental scientist in the making.” His research embraces an interdisciplinary approach that bridges biology, chemistry, and geology, with a strong focus on pollution science. In the lab, Ethan is known not only for his scholarly contributions, but also for being a supportive teammate who shares his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow students and staff.

Computer Science, Premedical Studies, Honors College

Memphis, Tennesee

Noah Emmert will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a co-major in Pre-Medical Studies. His work reflects a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research that bridges technology and biomedical systems. Noah currently serves as a research assistant in multiple labs, including at Miami University, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami, and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Department of Ophthalmology.

A published scholar, Noah is first author on one peer-reviewed paper and has contributed to additional publications. He has presented his research widely at conferences, including on international stages.

One nominator emphasized that his work extends far beyond the laboratory, writing, “He embodies the highest ideals of undergraduate scholarship: intellectual curiosity, methodological rigor, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to work that advances knowledge with clear societal benefit.”

Noah is a Presidential Fellow and member of the University Honors College. He also serves as an Honors College Ambassador, supporting recruitment and admissions initiatives.

Creative Writing, Theatre

Riverwoods, Illinois

A double major in Creative Writing and Theatre, Max Kaufman has distinguished himself through creative achievement and leadership on campus and national stages. He has received national recognition from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. These include being an award nominee for the John Cauble One Act Play Finalist and semi-finalist, and a three-time nominee for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

Max has earned six additional awards for his creative and academic writing. His original play, Verlin Pulley: The Re-Making of a Man, was produced by the student-led New Wave Theatre and became a campus success with sold-out performances. The main characters of the play were Newton and Ivy, President and Dr. Crawford’s dogs. The story follows the duo on an adventure to seek their destinies after hearing the bells of Pulley Tower.

Beyond writing, Max has contributed to numerous productions as an actor, score writer, and collaborator. His performance in the Murder on the Orient Express as world-famous Detective Hercule Poirot led to a review from the League of Cincinnati Theatres to call him, “a force of nature”. And his time serving as a leader of Sketched-Out Improv has led him to create “a cult following of fans on campus” according to a nominator.

Business Analytics, Honors College

Cincinnati, Ohio

Grace Koo is a Business Analytics major who will continue her studies in the combined Statistics graduate program with an expected completion date of May 2027. She is an Astronaut Scholar, Presidential Fellow, and a member of the University Honors College.

Grace has distinguished herself through advanced research in statistical genetics. As an intern in the Alicia Martin Lab at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, she contributed to cutting-edge projects focused on identifying genetic structures and advancing precision health research. She has continued this work as a contributing researcher with the Martin Lab.

Grace is a contributing author on a scholarly manuscript and has presented her research at multiple conferences and academic symposiums. Beyond her academic work, she serves as Concertmaster of the Miami University Symphony Orchestra and is the first non-music major to hold this role.

One nominator wrote, “I am deeply impressed with her intelligence, diligence, and strong work ethic.”

Political Science, Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, Honors College

Kumanovo, Northh Macedonia

Anastasija Mladenovska is a Political Science and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies major with minors in Ethics, Society and Culture and Accounting. During her time at Miami, she has earned distinction as a Havighurst Fellow, Geoffrion Family Fellow, Ernst and Young Research Scholar, and member of Scholar Leaders.

Anastasija is an accomplished researcher and writer whose work spans scholarly articles, policy analyses, op-eds, and personal narratives across a variety of disciplines. Her article, “It’s a Great Time to Be an Accountant: The Resiliency of Accounting Careers,” was published in New Accountant magazine.

Her scholarship also extends to international field research. Through the U.S. Department of State Diplomacy Lab, she conducted research for the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, contributing to projects with immediate global impact. One nominator shared, “She pursues transformative opportunities that advance scholarship and research making real-time impact across the world.”

Art Education, Honors College

McLean, Virginia

Isa Obradovich is a member of the Miami University Honors College majoring in Art Education. She has earned national recognition as a Top 50 Art Influencer of 2025 and is a recipient of the National Preservice Art Educator Award, along with regional honors from the Ohio Art Education Association.

Isa shares her scholarship widely, presenting at national and regional conferences on innovative approaches to art education. Their work focuses on blending social media and classroom practice to cultivate inclusive learning communities through the arts.

Isa serves as President of Miami University’s National Art Education Association chapter and helped establish a food-pantry-style community art supply closet within the Department of Art, expanding access to free materials for students.

One nominator wrote, “Isa’s deep and enduring curiosity about the world lies at the core of her exceptional scholarly engagement in arts education, artistic practice, and interdisciplinary learning.”

Physics, Mathematics

Bellbrook, Ohio

Glenn Ochsner is a double major in Physics and Mathematics whose academic excellence and research leadership have distinguished her among Miami University’s top scholars. Glenn has been recognized with a variety of awards, including an American Physical Society Division of Laser Science Travel Grant.

Glenn’s research achievements reflect extraordinary depth and promise. She conducts advanced work in theoretical quantum optics and completed a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of Miami. Her research record already reflects doctoral-level distinction, including a first-authored, peer-reviewed publication in Optics Letters, multiple first-authored national conference papers, and numerous research presentations.

On Miami’s campus, Glenn also mentors fellow students through the Physics Mentors program and serves as a College of Arts and Science Ambassador.

One nominator shared, “Glenn’s ability to grasp and apply complex physical concepts is beyond exceptional.”

Biochemistry, Premedical Studies, Honors College

Lexington, Kentucky

Majoring in Biochemistry with a co-major in Premedical Studies, Emily Wang is a member of the Miami University Honors College and the Miami University Synchronized Skating Club. Her academic and scholarly accomplishments include recognition as an Astronaut Scholar, Goldwater Scholar, and Beckman Scholar.

Emily’s independent research earned her the Free Fellowship at Miami University. Her work in biochemistry and bioinformatics reflects a strong commitment to advancing discoveries that will benefit the medical community. She is a first author on one manuscript, co-author on another, and has presented her research four times at national conferences, including twice at the American Association for Cancer Research.

Emily also serves the campus as a College of Arts and Science Ambassador and a Supplemental Instruction Leader with the Rinella Center, supporting her peers across demanding STEM coursework. One nominator shared that she is “a bright, outstanding scientist with exceptional grit and intrinsic motivation indicative of researchers with the greatest potential to impact society.”