Graduate students awarded top honors from VCU Engineering for service, teaching and research
From left: Caleb Wells, Lineth Perez and Santiago Bermudez Naranjo
Graduate students are integral to VCU Engineering. They advance the College’s research objectives while also helping to educate our undergraduate students. The awards below recognize those who have exceeded expectations, going above and beyond to ensure their peers, students and the communities they reside in are well supported.
Congratulations to Lineth Perez, Caleb Wells and Santiago Bermudez Naranjo! We appreciate your hard work and commitment.
Outstanding Graduate Service Award
Lineth Perez
Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering
Perez is recognized for her commitment to mentorship and outreach. She has mentored undergraduate and high school students through research programs, helping them build technical skills, confidence and a sense of belonging in engineering. Through Perez’s work with the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program and summer research experiences, she has created hands-on opportunities that support student growth and retention at the VCU College of Engineering.
The Outstanding Graduate Service Award is presented to a graduate student who is active in giving back to the community.
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award
Caleb Wells
Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering
Wells is recognized for his strong commitment to student learning and engagement. He has taught and supported courses across the mechanical engineering curriculum, including large lecture courses where he uses interactive tools to gauge student understanding in real time and adjust instruction. His teaching approach emphasizes clarity, structure and meeting students where they are.
The Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award is presented to a graduate student who exemplifies what a teaching assistant should be: one who communicates complex topics effectively to students, is patient when working with students struggling to grasp course content, holds consistent office hours and goes above and beyond to help students.
Outstanding Graduate Research Award
Santiago Bermudez Naranjo
Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering
Bermudez Naranjo is recognized for his impactful research in nanomaterials and radiation-related applications. His work focuses on improving materials for medical isotope production, radiation detection and nuclear systems, supporting advances in cancer diagnostics and treatment as well as next-generation energy technologies. He has collaborated with national laboratories and industry partners while mentoring junior researchers in the lab.
The Outstanding Graduate Research Award is presented to a graduate student who strives for excellence in research, shows leadership in the lab, mentors and acts as an example for undergraduate students in the lab.
The VCU College of Engineering offers innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs tailored to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving engineering field. As part of a premier research university, students are given the opportunity to perform real-world research in our state-of-the-art facilities as soon as they enroll. Browse videos and recent news to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Graduate Student Stories, Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, Student Stories