The Biology Department gives students the tools and knowledge they need to succeed at Canisius and prepare them for diverse future success. We are proud of our students' hard work and successes in the classroom and in research. We are happy to celebrate with them! Here you can learn about our departmental Senior Awards, find current and past winners, and check out photos from departmental events.
Description of Biology Department Senior Awards
Alpha Theta Chapter of Tri Beta Fialkiewicz Award for Academic Excellence in Biology (Highest GPA)
This award is in honor of Chris Fialkiewicz, a former departmental administrative associate. She ran the department with a smile and was always assisting those in need, especially students. In addition, Chris had a great sense of humor and was a motorcycle enthusiast. This was evident when she was diagnosed with cancer. After losing her hair, due to chemotherapy, she wore a Harley Davidson bandana.
The Alexander Award for Outstanding Research in Biology
This award is in honor of Dr. Al Alexander, a previous long time faculty member of the biology department. He served as chair of the department and was responsible for modernizing the curriculum in the 1980s. He was particularly well known for being an avid golfer. In the classroom he was notorious for his oral examinations and his killer lab practicals in comparative anatomy and embryology. He was highly respected for remaining current in his field and for being a strong proponent of student-faculty research. The Alpha Theta Chapter of Tri Beta presents this award to the senior biology major that completed a significant independent research project, which led to a presentation at an international conference.
The Nancy Wohlschlag Distinguished Research Award in Biology
This award in honor of Nancy Wohlschlag, a former laboratory manager and research associate at Canisius. She was known for being extraordinarily helpful. She kept the department running by keeping equipment functioning and ordering supplies for both teaching and research laboratories. In her memory, her family and friends established an endowment to support student and faculty research at Canisius. This award is presented to a senior biology major that completed a significant independent research project leading to a presentation at an international conference.
The John Kalb Award for Exemplary Research in Biology
This award is in memory of Dr. John Kalb. Dr. Kalb was a humble member of the faculty who worked well with everyone. He was an avid hockey fan, collector of comic books, and a mystery science theater enthusiast. He was quite a force to be reckoned with, yet always took time to help others, be it students or faculty. Dr. Kalb was known for wearing red shirts on exam days, particular for the freshman courses. This continued after his passing, and is now a departmental tradition. The award is given to a senior biology major who completed a substantial independent research project in biology and who embodies the enthusiasm for scientific research that was displayed by the late Professor John Kalb. This is the highest award given by the Biology Department for excellence in research.