Celeste Basken, Ella Giguere, Joohwan Yoo, and Connie Zhang have been named recipients of the 2026 Kenneth L. Babcock Prize in Environmental Science, according to a May 16 announcement.
The award recognizes outstanding academic achievement among graduating seniors in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. The prize was established in 1995 to honor Kenneth L. Babcock by a group of donors that included his late widow Claude Babcock and brother Sherman Babcock.
The Rausser College of Natural Resources receives support from donor contributions to funds that enhance undergraduate opportunities, graduate fellowships and student scholarships, according to the official website. The college is recognized as a leader in natural and social sciences on both national and global levels. It advances societal well-being through research on environmental sustainability and improvements in human health.
As part of its commitment to education and research, the Rausser College includes facilities such as the Oxford Facility with greenhouses, field plots, and specialized growth chambers for plant science research. The college functions as a key part of the University of California, Berkeley within the broader University of California system. Its interdisciplinary approach involves biological, ecological, economic and social sciences while addressing environmental challenges.
Looking ahead, awards like the Kenneth L. Babcock Prize continue to highlight student achievement while supporting future leaders dedicated to environmental science.
