Affiliate professor of biology receives 2026 Kenneth S. Norris Lifetime Achievement Award
Sue Moore, affiliate professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington, was honored with the 2026 Kenneth S. Norris Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Marine Mammalogy. The award recognizes exemplary lifetime contributions to science and society through research, teaching, and service in marine mammalogy.
Sue Moore is a research scientist and affiliate professor at the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels in the Biology Department of the University of Washington, a science adviser to the Washington State Academy of Sciences, and was appointed Commissioner of the Marine Mammal Commission in 2022.
Over a 40-year career, Moore’s research has focused on cetacean ecology, acoustics, and natural history, particularly in the Arctic. A prolific researcher, she is widely recognized as a pioneer in using marine mammals as ecosystem sentinels in this rapidly changing region. Over decades of studying whales, Moore has helped scientists understand the health of ocean environments and how they are changing over time. Her work provides critical insight into the impacts of climate change in the Arctic and how marine ecosystems are responding. Her contributions to Arctic science have also been recognized with the 2020 IASC Medal from the International Arctic Science Committee and the 2023 Alaska Ocean Leadership Award from the Alaska SeaLife Center.
Natt-Lingafelter professor of chemistry awarded 2026 Earle K. Plyler Prize
Anne B. McCoy, professor of chemistry at the UW, was awarded the 2026 Earle K. Plyler Prize for Molecular Spectroscopy & Dynamics from the American Physical Society for her impactful contributions to the anharmonic vibrational spectroscopy and dynamics of molecular radicals, ions, and clusters. Established in 1976, the prize honors pioneering spectroscopist Earle K. Plyler and is sponsored by the Journal of Chemical Physics. The prize will be presented at the APS Global Physics Summit, the world’s largest physics research conference, in March 2026.
McCoy’s research focuses on theoretical chemistry, where she develops methods to understand how molecules move, vibrate, and exchange energy. Her work has helped scientists better understand the fundamental behavior of molecules—providing insight into how chemical reactions occur and how energy flows through molecular systems. Much of her recent work has focused on hydrogen-bonded systems and, specifically, proton transport. She is also interested in exotic molecules, like CH5+ and H5+, which have been proposed to exist in the interstellar medium. These advances help lay the groundwork for progress in areas ranging from atmospheric chemistry to materials science.
UW joint professor of mathematics and computer science awarded inaugural Trevisan Prize
University of Washington professor Thomas Rothvoss has received the inaugural Trevisan Prize for his breakthrough contributions to the study of optimization problems. Rothvoss holds joint appointments in the Department of Mathematics and the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering and was honored in the mid-career category—a recognition of his impactful work over the course of his career.
The Trevisan Prize for outstanding work in the theory of computing is sponsored by the Department of Computing Sciences at Bocconi University and the Italian Academy of Sciences. Awardees receive a one-time monetary prize and a medal and are invited to give public lectures at Bocconi University. The award ceremony and lectures took place in January 2026.
Rothvoss has built a distinguished record of contributions to theoretical computer science and discrete optimization. He shares that “over the years my focus has changed a bit…I worked on approximation algorithms, which deal with finding provably good solutions to NP-hard problems in polynomial time.” His work has since shifted toward discrepancy theory and the theoretical foundations of linear and integer programming. In simple terms, Rothvoss studies the mathematics behind making optimal decisions in highly complex systems. His research helps reveal when efficient solutions are possible and optimization problems can be solved.
Political science professor receives John Gaus Award
Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, received the 2025 John Gaus Award from the American Political Science Association (APSA).
The John Gaus Award is presented annually to honor a lifetime of exemplary scholarship in the joint tradition of political science and public administration. Prakash was selected unanimously for the award in recognition of a career devoted to advancing scholarship at the intersection of political science and public administration. A nomination letter noted that Prakash’s research, particularly on environmental issues, has helped bring environmental concerns into public administration in a variety of ways, including examining how businesses and NGOs can fill governance gaps. At the same time, the letter highlighted how his work explores the risks of these nontraditional governance mechanisms, including potential issues such as regulatory capture and accountability deficits.
Prakash’s research spans environmental governance, public policy, and global political economy. Over the course of his career, he has published eight scholarly books and more than 130 articles in peer-reviewed journals, with his work cited more than 18,000 times across the field. As part of the honor, Prakash presented the Gaus Lecture at the APSA Annual Meeting in September 2025.
Washington Sea Grant interim director receives governor’s leadership award
Kate Little, interim director of Washington Sea Grant, received the Washington Governor’s Award for Outstanding Leadership, which recognizes exemplary leadership and service to the state of Washington.
Little was honored for her work supporting the state’s coastal communities through Washington Sea Grant’s research, outreach, and partnership-driven initiatives.
Little has dedicated more than 15 years to strengthening Washington’s coast through strategic vision, inclusive practices, and sustained investment in community-centered programs. Under her leadership, Washington Sea Grant delivered nearly $250 million in services and economic benefits statewide between 2021 and 2024, reflecting the program’s broad impact across coastal and maritime communities.
“A big thank you to the team at Washington Sea Grant for the nomination,” Little said. “I’m deeply grateful to work alongside such thoughtful colleagues, who are so dedicated to our shared work. I’m so honored by this recognition from the governor. This award really is a testament to the impact of Washington Sea Grant’s work in serving the state’s coastal communities.”
Biology professor awarded Rome Prize Fellowship in Environmental Arts & Humanities
Adam Summers, professor of biology at the UW, was awarded the prestigious 2025–2026 Rome Prize in the new Environmental Arts & Humanities category by the American Academy in Rome. This pilot fellowship supports collaborative projects that explore how human beings relate to, experience, and interpret the natural world.
In partnership with Katharine Ogle, lecturer of English at the University of Southern California, Summers will pursue a project titled “Piscis Romana.” Their work draws on natural history research conducted at the Friday Harbor Laboratories to investigate the links between marine life, ecology, and poetic expression.
“This award will allow Katie Ogle and me to further explore the links between poetry and natural history that have been developed by a group of us at Friday Harbor Labs,” Summers said.
Summers’ biological research spans marine and aquatic systems with a strong emphasis on understanding organismal form, function, and the broader natural-history context in which species evolve and interact. Partnering with Ogle, he will extend that scientific inquiry into the realm of arts and humanities, looking at how the natural world inspires literary forms, metaphors, and cultural narratives.
With this Rome Prize fellowship, Summers joins a competitive cohort selected from nearly 1,000 applicants and will spend several months in residence at the Academy in Rome, working among scholars and artists from around the world.