Psychology > Undergraduate > Honors and Awards > 2025


2025 Awards for Graduating Psychology Majors


The Gregory Razran Award: For the highest Psychology GPA and an overall GPA of at least 3.50.

Winner: Alexis Saladin

Alexis graduates summa cum laude with honors in Psychology. Throughout her time here, Alexis acted as the Treasurer of the Queens College Psychology Association and worked with First Year Experience to provide academic guidance to new students. She is passionate about providing accessible mental health services and patient-specific care to all. In the fall, Alexis will begin the Master’s in Mental Health Counseling program at Queens College.


The William N. Schoenfeld Award: For the second highest Psychology GPA and an overall GPA of at least 3.50.

Winner: Rebecca Posner

Rebecca graduates with honors in Psychology and a double-major in Neuroscience. She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society. Throughout her time in Queens College Rebecca was involved in research. Rebecca also volunteered for both the Gift of Life and Crisis Text Line and worked as a medical assistant at a cardiologist’s office. Rebecca will be attending Mercy University’s Physician’s Assistant school


The David Friedman Neuroscience Award: For a student who will be attending a graduate program in Psychology or Neuroscience devoted to human research.

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The Mitchell L. Kietzman Award: For excellence in Psychological research.

Winner: Labiba Aziz

During her time at Queens College, Labiba researched the effects of prenatal maternal stress on child development. She also conducted research on the neural circuits underlying stress resilience. Her honors theses integrates physiological and cellular neuroscience to examine stress responses. In the Fall, Labiba will continue her pursuit of understanding how stress influences cognitive and emotional processes at Stony Brook University’s doctoral program in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology.


 The Harold Schuckman Memorial Award: For a student who will be attending a graduate program in Psychology.

Winner: Jannatur Rahman

Jannatur graduates with honors in psychology and a minor in sociology. Her academic excellence is complemented by her leadership and service, including roles as a teaching assistant, after-school counselor, and orientation leader. Jannatur has also actively contributed to her community through volunteer work. After graduation, she will pursue a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Hunter College, with the plan of becoming a licensed therapist


 The Thomas E. Frumkes Award: For excellence in Psychological research.

Winner: Kristina Andrade

Kristina graduates with honors in Psychology and is part of the Macaulay honors program at Queens College. She has conducted research in social psychology, and her honors thesis addressed emotional regulation in the context of romantic relationships. Kristina has presented two posters and one talk on her research, both in local and regional conferences. In the future, Kristina plans to pursue graduate work to ultimately become a therapist


The Wilma A. Winnick Award: For a student who has made substantive contributions to the Psychology department.

Winner: Nathaniel Zarny


The Dr. Andrea Li Memorial Award: For a student who has demonstrated excellence in psychological research and has served the college and/or community.

Winner: Elijah Singh

Elijah graduates with honors in Psychology. He is also currently enrolled in the Behavioral Neuroscience master’s program in Queens College. Elijah has done research assessing developmental changes in children with the Fragile X Premutation. He has done volunteer work for causes such as cancer awareness, rehabilitation and nursing, and worked at the Queens College Psychological Center where he collaborates on community outreach projects. In the future, Eiljah hopes to become a researcher and clinician


 The John V. Conti Award: For a student who will be attending a graduate program in psychology or a related profession.

Winner: Reyana Persaud

Reyana graduates with honors in Psychology and also majored in Sociology. During her time at Queens College, she participated in the National Society of Leadership and Success, SIBS club, and the student advisory board for Transformative Learning in Humanities. Reyana was also a teaching assistant and conducted research on autism, shame, and camouflaging. In the fall she will begins the master’s program in Applied Behavior Analysis at Queens College where she hopes to gain a solid understanding of assessment methods, intervention strategies, and ethical considerations in working with children and families


 The Max and Edith Weiner Award: For work with Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Winner: Pranitha Premnath

Pranitha is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology at Queens College doctoral program. Pranitha’s research interests include identifying risk factors and understanding the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, with an emphasis on addressing disparities in diagnostic assessment and healthcare access in underrepresented communities. Pranitha intends to use this award to expand her knowledge and network with others who support those afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Pranitha is currently completing a clinical externship in Neuropsychology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center


 The Arthur A. Witkin Award: For a student who has done well in the field of Psychology and plans to attend a graduate program in Psychology.

Winner: Dov Frank

Dov graduates with honors in Psychology. Dov was a peer advisor in the Psychology department and did research in a Social Psychology lab. He also worked off campus at a non-profit agency which services people with suicidal ideation. Dov’s main interest is to serve challenging populations dealing with religious trauma, childhood abuse, and suicide. Dov will begin a Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program at Ferkauf Graduate School of Yeshiva University in the Fall.


The Dr. Effie Mitsis Memorial Award: For a graduating senior who will be attending a graduate program in Neuroscience.

Winner: Amrit Pabla

Amrit is part of the Macaulay Honors College at Queens College. She conducted research in behavioral neuroscience, focusing on the impact of chronic nicotine exposure on dopamine-mediated reinforcement learning. In the future, Amrit hopes to learn about transmitters such as acetylcholine or neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Amrit will continue her journey in science as she begins medical school this fall at the New York Institute of Technology.


The Daniel V. Caputo Award: For a student who is committed to pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology.

Winner: Michael Berger

Michael graduates with honors in Psychology. He worked in two research labs at Queens College. In the Autism Origins Lab, Michael worked on a study on ASD markers in infants. He also conducted clinical research where he studied the relationship between trauma and borderline personality disorder. Additionally, he was a peer tutor in Psychological Statistics. Michael also volunteers at his local Karate Dojo, where he teaches social skills to children with high-functioning ASD through martial arts. His long-term goal is to improve the lives of children and adolescents. In the fall, Michael will begin a Clinical Psy.D. Program at Long Island University.


The Sara Mayes and Phyllis Glanz Endowed Fellowship for Alzheimer‘s Disease Research: For a doctoral student pursuing research on Alzheimer’s Disease.

Winner: Stephanie Santiago Michels

Stephanie is a third-year doctoral student specializing in neuropsychology in the Clinical Psychology at Queens College doctoral program. Stephanie is investigating the relationship between specific cognitive and neuropsychiatric changes that are sensitive to preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Through her work, she hopes to improve early detection and intervention strategies for neurodegenerative disorders. Stephanie looks forward to advancing her competencies at her clinical externship at Northwell/Long Island Jewish Hospital where she will participate in the neuropsychological care of adults and older adults.


The Dr. Moira Fitzpatrick LeMay Memorial Scholarship: For a student of junior standing who demonstrates academic excellence.

Winner: Taylor Mero

Taylor is a Psychology major with a minor in Health Sciences. She currently enjoys working with children at an after-school care company. After Taylor graduates from Queens College, her goal is to attend PT school to become a pediatric physical therapist.


The Lakowitz Clinical Psychology Prize:for a student from an underrepresented background who is aspiring to pursue graduate studies to become a clinical psychologist.

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The Queens College Psychological Center Award: For a student who has made a substantive contribution to the QCPC’s social justice mission, engaged in neuropsychology research, and wishes to pursue Clinical Psychology.

Winner: Darling L. DaSilva Ortiz

Darling is a proud DACA scholarship recipient and first-generation college student, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology. Darling dedicated herself to interning at the Queens College Psychological Center. Her experience there reaffirmed her passion and commitment to the field. Darling’s next goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, with the long-term aspiration of earning a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.


 

The Queens College Psychological Center Award: For a student who has made a substantive contribution to the QCPC’s social justice mission, engaged in neuropsychology research, and wishes to pursue Clinical Psychology.

Winners:  Amir Suhrawardy


2025 Honors in Psychology


Dina Abraham Eileen Abreu Abigail Ackerman Adina Adelman 
Madeena Ahmadi Maria Aiello Shani Aizenman Yailin Alcantara
Paola Alvarez Kristina Andrade Yoseph Aranbayev Sarah Ariel
Fatima Arif Amanda Armstrong Komron Azamat Eitan Aziz
 Oriah Azulay Rebecca Bakhshi-Nazar Allison Bandura Mia Banks
Elisa Barrientos Angel Batista Helene Belsky Amanda Berg
Michael Berger Maayan Berman Anjali Bhandari Shivanie Bisram 
Yerachmiel Bochner Rakshita Broota Sarai Brown – Pantaleon Viviana Carvajal
Christina Cetino-Garcia Tilly Chamberlain Kristina Chen Peize Chen
Veronica Chou Busra Chowdhury Sharnom Chowdhury Evrinomi Ciro 
Marilin Contreras  Brooke Corcoran Kyle Daniels Ashley Depena 
Malka Derdik Alexandra Donza Litzy Duran Lily Eisenberg
Arlene Estevez Daniella Feldman Nicholas Figueroa Dov Frank
Carlos Frestan Aliza Friedman Aliza Fruchter Elianna Ganchrow 
Vlada Giterman Aleksandra Glinska Avital Golpariani  Noah Gonzalez
Rachel Gulyaev Nadav Hakim Lea Hakimian Beauregard Halon
Dennise Huaman Youssef Ibrahim Nm Islam Tasfia Islam
Zae Jackson Emily Jailall Jihea Jang Kerry Johnson
Diana Juarez Shaina Kaidanian Zahava Kalb Adee Kalderon
Maria Kalliagas Andrea Kaplan Taranjit Kaur Amandip Kaur
Navjot Kaur Yonathan Khalili Matanel Khalili   Jebreel Khattak
Chaya Kirschenbaum Parvina Kuliev  Eve Landsman Alicia Landsman 
Lauren Langsam Aleksandra Lapinska Alexandra Lavin Jonathan Leviyev
Camila Llivisaca Ellen Loizou Jossebeth Lopez Jinhee Ma
Karishma Mahadeo  Yusra Mahmood Breanna Mahoney Odelia Mamonov
Brianna Maraj Cindy Marquez Dionisio Victoria Martinez Kayla Martinez
Tamar Mayer Estefani Mayorga-Torres Monique McDonald Paul McNally
Yanela Merchan Kalliopi Milonas Hailei Mohammed Veksi Molina Castro
Leslie-Guadalupe Moran Ioannis Moromalos Rebecca Motovich Evone Muru
Chiara Nasso Timothy Neilson Jessica Nektalov Nelson Pincus
Kelly Ng Jonathan Nudman Lariely Nunez  Hnin Shwe Yee Oo
Samantha Pacione Aldwyn Parchment Seo Yeon Park Dhairy Patel
Ria Paul Reyana Persaud Tamar Picker Yianna Plaku
Rebecca Posner Marimar Puente Daniela Quintero  Tudor Radu
Emily Raghunath Jannatur Rahman Madina Rahmonova Elvin Ramales
Emily Ramirez Hannah Ramos Shiann Rampershad Deon Ramprasad
Kayla Razak Cindy Ren Heidi Rivera Angelina Rivera
Genecis Rodriguez Andres Rodriguez Jolai Rodriguez Celia Rojas
Brianna Ruffino Arbine Ryan Alexis Saladin Jalisa Sargeant
Shira Schwartz Tasha Seeram Iqra Shahid Shirelle Shaulian
Danyal Sheikh Emily Shin Awwab Siddiqui  Kevin Siguenza
Amanda Singh Elijah Singh Shaun Slamowitz Karolina Slavina
Michael Starr Ariella Stern Dina Subuh Amir Suhrawardy
Benny Suleymanov Nigina Tagirova  Nusrat Talukder Asima Tariq
Vasiliki Tegerides Nicolas Uemura Samantha Urena Marissa Valladares
Justin Vazquez Justine Vitale Lara Walsh Yannes Wang
Andrew Warner Isabella Weisfeld Arielle Weiss Amanda Wohlers
Joshua Yaghoubian Monica Yakubova Mercy Yau Rachel Yeroshalmi 
Tasnim Zahin Ariella Zakheim  Joseph Zamora Nathaniel Zarny
  Orel Zaurov  Zara Zeronian