Undergraduate research has been a focus of UWM enabling students to engage in research in addition to their course curriculum. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) has supported this important aspect of University education by offering fellowships, enabling conference participation, organizing workshops and symposia, and professional development opportunities. Maya Ferando, who is a graduate student in Prof. Arnold’s research group, has directly supervised graduate students Shaun Harrington, Devin Esch, Marley Makowiak and Paul Wiebe and worked closely with Ryan Burmesch, Braden Barkley, Natalie Cox, Makena Vesperman, Alec Veliz, Kali Quade and Dayana Griggs. Her ability to work well with undergraduate students and their demanding course schedules has garnered high praises from her students. Her outstanding ability to motivate and teach students to successfully complete many aspects of their research has resulted in the recognition by the OUR, who bestowed her with the 2026 Graduate Student Mentor of the Year Award.
More information about the OUR Research Mentor of the Year can be read on their website at the following link: https://uwm.edu/undergraduate-research/symposium/research-mentor-of-the-year/