UMassGives 2025
Department of Microbiology

The UMass Microbiology undergraduate program is a thriving community of talented students who are passionate about science and discovery. Our majors excel in the classroom, lead groundbreaking research, engage in scientific outreach, and support their peers. With your help, we can continue to provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
UMass Microbiology students are making waves in the scientific community. Here are just a few of their recent accomplishments:
Adam Charest ’24 was recognized as a Rising Researcher for outstanding research and co-authored a study on how the antimicrobial peptide Nisin inhibits harmful bacteria, published in Microorganisms.
Gabby Rizzo ’24 was awarded the SETI Forward Award, recognizing her as a future leader in astrobiology. She co-authored research on methanogenesis and isotope signatures, currently under review, and published work on the genome of Paenibacillus sp. RC80 in Microbiology Resource Announcements.
Matt Romprey ’24 is a co-author on an upcoming publication exploring a new genetic control system in Trypanosoma brucei, a parasite that causes sleeping sickness.
Caroline Tran ’24 received the UMass 21st Century Leader Award in recognition of her strong academic records and exemplary achievements.
Here’s how donations have made an impact:
- Covered travel fees for The Microbiology Club to tour leading biotech companies Holobiome and Arietis Pharma in Boston.
- Helped provide resources to host a Microbiology Career Panel, where students engaged with professionals from various industries, gained career advice, and expanded their professional networks.
- Supported community-building events that strengthen relationships between faculty and students

Why Give? Your donation directly supports our students by funding:
- Career Workshops: Preparing students for careers in biotechnology, healthcare, and research.
- Scholarships: Providing financial aid to hard-working students who need it most.
- Research Equipment: Enhancing hands-on learning with cutting-edge tools.
- Undergraduate Research Experiences: Empowering students to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
- Alumni Networking: Building a stronger, more connected Microbiology community.
Whether you’re an alumnus, a friend of the university, or simply passionate about supporting scientific discovery, your donation matters. Every contribution, no matter the size, has a meaningful impact on our students and their journeys.
Our students’ successes are a testament to the power of hands-on learning, mentorship, and a strong academic community. By contributing to UMass Microbiology, you’re investing in the future of science and innovation.

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| Rank | Prize | Department/Group/RSO/Fund | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Student Alumni Association | 120 |
| 2 | $500 | Department of Food Science | 110 |
| 3 | $500 | UMass Women into Leadership (UWiL) | 96 |
| 4 | Professional Writing and Technical Communication | 30 | |
| 5 | Women's Rowing | 17 | |
| 6 | Isenberg Class of 2025 Senior Gift Fund | 12 | |
| 7 | Active Minds | 10 | |
| 8 | Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management | 9 | |
| 9 | College of Education Student Emergency Fund | 6 | |
| 10 | Department of Theater | 5 | |
| 11 | Commonwealth Honors College Community Scholarships | 5 | |
| 12 | Script U Scholarship Society | 4 | |
| 13 | Laxbackers | 4 | |
| 14 | Field Hockey | 4 | |
| 15 | Nursing Student Scholarships | 4 |
| Rank | Prize | Department/Group/RSO/Fund | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Women's Club Ice Hockey | 120 |
| 2 | $500 | Boxing Club | 76 |
| 3 | $500 | UWW Faculty Student Scholarship Endowment Fund | 71 |
| 4 | Women for UMass Amherst | 55 | |
| 5 | UMass Hillel | 37 | |
| 6 | World Librarians | 37 | |
| 7 | Isenberg Class of 2025 Senior Gift Fund | 29 | |
| 8 | Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences | 27 | |
| 9 | Energy Transition Institute | 25 | |
| 10 | Minutemen Racing | 23 | |
| 11 | CICS Dean's Opportunity Fund | 15 | |
| 12 | Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship | 9 | |
| 13 | Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning General Fund | 9 | |
| 14 | The Frank Waugh Alumni Board Scholarship | 8 | |
| 15 | HackUMass | 8 |
| Rank | Prize | Department/Group/RSO/Fund | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Men's Club Rugby | 203 |
| 2 | $500 | WMUA | 105 |
| 3 | $500 | Dynamics Acapella | 94 |
| 4 | Club Running | 68 | |
| 5 | Student Care & Emergency Response Fund (SCERF) | 65 | |
| 6 | Department of Journalism | 61 | |
| 7 | Film Studies Program | 40 | |
| 8 | Muslim Students Association | 38 | |
| 9 | Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management | 37 | |
| 10 | Fencing Club | 24 | |
| 11 | Cape Cod Alumni Group Scholars | 20 | |
| 12 | UMass Science Olympiad | 19 | |
| 13 | CMASS | 15 | |
| 14 | Alpine Ski Team | 12 | |
| 15 | Belly Dance Club | 11 |
| Rank | Prize | Department/Group/RSO/Fund | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Men's Ultimate Frisbee | 141 |
| 2 | $500 | Club Water Polo | 120 |
| 3 | $500 | Sharp Attitude | 100 |
| 4 | UMass Dance Company | 86 | |
| 5 | UMass Club Swim | 59 | |
| 6 | Climbing Club | 40 | |
| 7 | Mock Trial Team | 36 | |
| 8 | UMass Sailing Team | 25 | |
| 9 | Accounting Department | 24 | |
| 10 | ACEing Autism | 21 | |
| 11 | Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers | 16 | |
| 12 | Alliance for Women in Accounting | 14 | |
| 13 | UMass4CCL | 14 | |
| 14 | Outing Club | 13 | |
| 15 | Department of MicroBiology | 13 |
| Rank | Prize | Department/Group/RSO/Fund | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Stonewall Center | 200 |
| 2 | $500 | Polymer Science & Engineering | 99 |
| 3 | $500 | Earthfoods Cafe | 39 |
| 4 | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Student Support Fund | 31 | |
| 5 | Filipino Student Association | 17 | |
| 6 | UMass Ice Skating Club | 12 | |
| 7 | Badminton Club | 9 | |
| 8 | Pond Club | 8 | |
| 9 | Script U - Hockey | 8 | |
| 10 | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field | 7 | |
| 11 | Marketing Department | 7 | |
| 12 | Isenberg Class of 2025 Senior Gift Fund | 7 | |
| 13 | Script U - Football | 6 | |
| 14 | Public Interest Technology Initiative | 6 | |
| 15 | College of Education Student Emergency Fund | 5 |
| Rank | Prize | Department/Group/RSO/Fund | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Daily Collegian | 166 |
| 2 | $500 | UMass Emergency Medical Services | 104 |
| 3 | $500 | The Boltwood Project | 86 |
| 4 | Baseball | 73 | |
| 5 | CLACLS | 45 | |
| 6 | iCons Fund | 35 | |
| 7 | Comparative Literature | 25 | |
| 8 | UMassTap Company | 25 | |
| 9 | Accounting Department | 25 | |
| 10 | Society of Women Engineers | 22 | |
| 11 | Angel Fund | 21 | |
| 12 | Legal Studies Department | 18 | |
| 13 | Softball | 17 | |
| 14 | Operations & Information Management Department | 16 | |
| 15 | Student Nursing Association | 11 |
| Rank | Prize | Department/Group/RSO/Fund | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Men's Club Rowing | 290 |
| 2 | $500 | Women's Rugby | 135 |
| 3 | $500 | Korean Students Association | 112 |
| 4 | Center for Women and Community | 100 | |
| 5 | Minuteman Marching Band | 96 | |
| 6 | Doo Wop Shop | 82 | |
| 7 | Model UN | 68 | |
| 8 | Spanish and Portuguese Studies | 45 | |
| 9 | Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy | 17 | |
| 10 | Arab Cultural Association | 16 | |
| 11 | Field Hockey Club | 15 | |
| 12 | Nursing Student Scholarships | 9 | |
| 13 | Daily Collegian | 8 | |
| 14 | Baseball | 7 | |
| 15 | Stonewall Center | 7 |
| Rank | Prize | Department/Group/RSO/Fund | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Duly Noted | 237 |
| 2 | $500 | Laxbackers | 91 |
| 3 | $500 | Girl Up UMass Amherst | 91 |
| 4 | Women's Ultimate Frisbee | 81 | |
| 5 | UMass Cybersecurity Club | 43 | |
| 6 | Ballroom Dance Team | 32 | |
| 7 | UMass CHAARG | 17 | |
| 8 | Accounting Department | 15 | |
| 9 | Golf Club | 13 | |
| 10 | UMass ALTITUDE | 13 | |
| 11 | Women's Rowing | 11 | |
| 12 | CICS Dean's Opportunity Fund | 8 | |
| 13 | Women's Lacrosse | 8 | |
| 14 | Men's Club Rowing | 8 | |
| 15 | Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers | 8 |