Plant Biology community members among 2024 NatSci award winners

By Caleb Hess, Connor yeck | Jan 10, 2025 |

Three members of Michigan State University’s department of Plant Biology were recognized for their outstanding achievements and service at the College of natural Science’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony.

The Nov. 15 event honored faculty, staff and students nominated by their peers from across the college. Those nominations were evaluated by the Natural Science, or NatSci, Awards Committee and the Center for Integrative Studies in General Science staff. Each year, NatSci holds an awards ceremony to celebrate exceptional members of the college community.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such talented and passionate individuals among us,” NatSci Dean Eric Hegg said. “Each of these faculty, academic staff members, and students elevates the profile of our college and university, and their work leaves a lasting impact. We look forward to the exciting work they will continue to do.”

Robert Last, a University Distinguished Professor and Barnett Rosenberg Professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Plant Biology, was recognized with the Junior Faculty Mentoring Award for his guidance and support among NatSci’s growing community of rising researchers.

“Rob is my go-to person for honest and insightful advice,” offered assistant professor Polly Hsu, who’s worked closely with Last in BMB.

Rob Last accepts an award from Dean Eric Hegg — Professor Robert Last poses with College Dean Eric Hegg as the former accepts the Postdoctoral Mentoring Award. Credit: Paul Henderson

“Peer recognition is special and getting such strong positive feedback from the next generations of scientists is especially meaningful. We at MSU are surrounded by wonderful colleagues,” Last said. “I look forward to watching them continue to shine and increasingly contribute to the success of others at MSU and across the globe.”

Shin-Han Shiu, a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor in Plant Biology and Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, was among the recipients of the NatSci Outstanding Faculty Award.

Shinhan Shiu accepts an award from Dean Eric Hegg. — Shin-Han Shiu, who received the NatSci Outstanding Faculty Award at the College of Natural Science Awards, poses with College Dean Eric Hegg. Credit: Paul Henderson

Riley Pizza, a graduate student in Plant Biology, has recieved numerous accolades for their commitment to education. “I am the most myself when I'm in a classroom working with students,” Pizza said. “I work really hard to use research-supported teaching practices to improve classroom equity. Being recognized by the college for my teaching excellence only solidifies in my mind that teaching is what I was born to do.”