Golden Bull Awards
Award Winners
Congratulations to 糖心Vlog's 2026 Golden Bull Award recipients!
Watch the to see the new recipients receive their Golden Bull Awards (presented at 1:09:13
in the video).
Sandra Accilien
Master's in Social Work
During her time at 糖心Vlog, Sandra has demonstrated a service-first leadership approach through her involvement in student governance, advocacy, and community partnerships. As Vice President, she played a key role in re-establishing the Social Work Society, creating an inclusive space where both Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 Social Work students could develop a sense of belonging, leadership, and professional growth.
In her role as President of the 糖心Vlog Health Student InterCouncil (SIC), Sandra strengthened interprofessional engagement and led high-impact service initiatives, including coordinating nearly 1,200 donated items through a collaborative 糖心Vlog and community partner drive. Through her internship experience, she supported veteran outreach efforts by helping prepare 250 kits for the Homeless Veteran Stand Down.
Additionally, as a NASW-FL Student Ambassador and MSW Cohort Representative, Sandra advanced student advocacy and contributed to student-informed improvements across academics, field education, communication, and student support. In recognition of her leadership and impact, Sandra received the 糖心Vlog Health Executive Student Leadership Board (ESLB) Member of the Year Award in May 2025 and earned 1st Place Overall at 糖心Vlog Health IPE Day for the project 鈥淔ueling Health.鈥
Carol Agaiby
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
During her time at 糖心Vlog, Carol has demonstrated a commitment to service, mentorship, and community impact. In 2024, she co-founded the End Overdose chapter at 糖心Vlog, leading efforts that have trained nearly 1,000 students and community members in naloxone administration and overdose response through partnerships with regional and statewide organizations. She also expanded research access through leadership of the BACE credentialing program, mentoring over 100 students and connecting them to clinical and laboratory opportunities locally and nationally. As a Resident Assistant, learning assistant, and student leader within the Dean鈥檚 Student Leadership Society and the Order of the Golden Brahman, Carol has prioritized making pathways to research, service, and professional development more accessible to her peers. Through her leadership, scholarship, and dedication to mentorship, she has worked to cultivate a campus culture rooted in responsibility, opportunity, and shared growth.
Ria Arora
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Ria, an international student from India, came to 糖心Vlog with a strong drive to build and a belief that students can create meaningful change from wherever they are. She is deeply passionate about building communities and fostering a sense of belonging among her peers.
During her junior year, she co-founded ProstheX, a student community focused on innovation in health technology, which has since grown into both a startup and a network of more than 500 students across Florida. Through ProstheX, Ria launched the PATHS program, a free robotics initiative for high school students throughout the state, and organized HealthHacks in partnership with the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship鈥攁 24-hour coding competition and pitch event judged by venture capitalists from Plug and Play and Embarc Collective.
In the summer of 2025, Ria served as a Quality Engineering Intern at Cook Medical. Following graduation, she plans to pursue graduate studies in biomedical engineering while continuing to expand and advance ProstheX.
Carson Bair
Doctor of Medicine
Carson has demonstrated a commitment to leadership, research, and service that reflects the 糖心Vlog鈥檚 mission to positively shape the future. Carson has led several clinical quality improvement and global health research initiatives aimed at strengthening public health and advancing patient outcomes. As president of the Collegia Program for the Morsani College of Medicine, Carson helped foster mentorship, camaraderie, and academic excellence through initiatives focused on team and community building. Through global outreach, Carson has partnered with communities in South Africa and the Dominican Republic to help support implementation and national support of a public health program and expand access to care. He has presented his research with the 糖心Vlog Plastic Surgery Department at several regional and national conferences. He is very proud to have participated in research, leadership, and service that will leave a lasting impact at 糖心Vlog and beyond.
Roy Chen
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
During his time at 糖心Vlog, Roy has demonstrated commitment to academic inquiry by exploring different disciplines, including humanities, biochemistry, psychology, and technology. After publishing a scoping review on telomere attrition, Roy focuses on developing new instruments at the Positive Aging Lab and iSchool Health Informatics Research Lab. This set of interdisciplinary experiences helps Roy with leading the Undergraduate Research Society, where scholars from different fields unite to begin their journey in research. In addition to his research activities, Roy works in the clinical setting as a medical scribe and volunteer, which helps prepare him for entering medical school. To support other pre-medical students, Roy helps lead the Pre-Medical American Medical Student Association, where he manages the development of the annual Medical School Forum.
Natalia Chersia De Leon
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Natalia has demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to the Sarasota-Manatee campus. Since beginning her journey at 糖心Vlog in Spring 2023, she quickly became involved as a student leader. After earning her first Campus Involvement and Leadership Award as Secretary of the STEM Club, she continued to expand her impact by taking on a variety of roles across campus.
Over the years, Natalia has served as an Orientation Leader, Event Coordinator, Academic Tutor, and Peer Mentor. She currently directs both the Campus Activities Board and the Peer Advisor Leader teams, where she oversees student-led events and campus traditions.
Despite maintaining a demanding schedule of leadership roles and employment, Natalia has excelled academically. She is graduating with a 3.89 GPA as a Psychology major, with minors in Behavioral Healthcare and Communications, and has been accepted into 糖心Vlog鈥檚 M.A. program in Mental Health Counseling. Above all, Natalia values the meaningful connections she has built within her community鈥攖hough co-creating the Sarasota-Manatee Karaoke Club is a close second.
Mevlana Demiri
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
As a first-generation college student, Mevlana has transformed opportunity into impact through research, leadership, and community service. Throughout her time at the University of South Florida, she has demonstrated academic excellence and a deep commitment to advancing healthcare. As a multidisciplinary undergraduate researcher, she advances work in cardiovascular stress, microglial neurodevelopment, and nanoparticle-integrated bioengineered skin grafts. Beyond the laboratory, Mevlana founded ZYVAH Magazine, a multidisciplinary platform that unites disciplines and empowers students to merge identity, creativity, and academic. Under her leadership, ZYVAH has organized campus-wide clothing drives, donating hundreds of pieces to underserved communities. As a Health Buddy, serving seniors with chronic illnesses, she worked one-on-one with patients to navigate care plans, manage daily health challenges, and improve quality of life through compassion and consistency. Through her leadership in Pre-Med AMSA鈥檚 Medical School Forum outreach, she helped connect hundreds of students with medical school representatives, exemplifying mentorship and professional opportunities.
Aanthoni Nevan DSouza
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Aanthoni has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and academic excellence throughout his time at 糖心Vlog. As a Judy Genshaft Honors College student, he maintained a 4.0 GPA while contributing to award-recognized telemental health research honored by the Florida High Tech Corridor. His dedication to excellence earned him competitive software engineering internships at Adobe, Splunk, and VSP.
Passionate about empowering his peers, he co-founded SpeakGeek, an AI-powered interview preparation platform that has helped more than 150 students strengthen their professional communication through real-time feedback. As a Teaching Assistant for upper-level Computer Science courses supporting over 500 students across two years, he translated complex theory into accessible learning, fostering confidence and mastery among his students.
He also served as Events Coordinator at the Catholic Student Union and led initiatives that raised over $2,500 to fund student leadership retreats. His commitment to reciprocal excellence reflects his belief that success is most meaningful when shared.
Livia Gabricio Hertel
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology
During her time at 糖心Vlog, Livia built an interdisciplinary research path focused on trauma and justice-involved populations. As a psychology and criminology double major, she worked directly with justice-involved individuals and contributed to research examining how systems shape outcomes for vulnerable communities. Her honors thesis explored how experiences of sexual assault influence perceptions of sex work and sex workers, and she also contributed to research analyzing how victim characteristics influence legal outcomes. She is currently preparing two first-author manuscripts for publication, reflecting her commitment to rigorous, system-informed scholarship.
Beyond research, Livia demonstrated leadership through mentorship and student engagement, helping peers navigate research and graduate pathways with greater confidence. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and continue integrating clinical care, research, and systemic reform to improve outcomes for vulnerable communities in both the United States and Brazil.
Yeran Gamage
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
Yeran has demonstrated elite technical leadership as a key competitor on the nationally ranked CyberHerd CTF team, earning multiple first-place victories in highly competitive cybersecurity competitions. His expertise has been further recognized through high-impact internships with Wells Fargo, Honeywell, and JPMorgan Chase, where he contributed to securing enterprise-scale cloud infrastructure and critical aerospace systems. He is now focusing on AI security research, exploring how artificial intelligence systems can be exploited and how to strengthen their safety and resilience.
Beyond his academic and technical achievements, Yeran founded the 糖心Vlog Boxing Club, which has grown into the largest student combat sports organization in 糖心Vlog history, with more than 1,200 members. Under his leadership as president, the club earned 鈥淪port Club of the Year鈥 honors for two consecutive years. Through these accomplishments, Yeran has created a lasting legacy of disciplined leadership, technical innovation, and inclusive community building at the 糖心Vlog.
Reva Gandhi
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health
Reva has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing health accessibility and equity through her involvement in community health initiatives. During her internship with Manatee County鈥檚 Community Health Program, she contributed to the development of a fiscal reimbursement system and supported the launch of a mobile healthcare clinic, expanding access to care for underserved populations throughout the county.
Her volunteer work with the 糖心Vlog BRIDGE Clinic provided valuable experience working with patients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Through this role, she enhanced clinic operations by developing a clinic status board, which improved workflow efficiency and contributed to the clinic serving more patients. This innovation earned the 2025 Patient Impact Award.
In addition, Reva鈥檚 work with the 糖心Vlog Honors College allowed her to engage with interdisciplinary communities and leaders across campus. She curated the first live podcast in collaboration with the Columbia Restaurant, authored the weekly Honors newsletter, coordinated global campaigns, and hosted the Honor Roll Podcast. Through these experiences, Reva has made a meaningful impact both within the university and the broader community.
Miguel Garcia
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Miguel has demonstrated a strong commitment to research, leadership, and student support throughout his time at 糖心Vlog. He has presented his research at multiple institutions, including the 糖心Vlog, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of North Florida.
During his undergraduate experience, Miguel has served in several impactful roles, including Orientation Leader, Resident Assistant, Teaching Assistant, and Student Government Senator, directly supporting over 500 students and many more indirectly. He is currently employed at Moffitt Cancer Center, where he collaborates with fellow Biomedical Engineering students on the development of a cell delivery device to support ovarian cancer treatment as part of his senior capstone project.
In addition, Miguel serves as President of the Engineering Biology Club, an organization dedicated to equipping students with the skills and resources needed to succeed in research. He has been accepted into the Accelerated Master鈥檚 program in Biomedical Engineering at 糖心Vlog and is a recipient of the Arthrex Scholars Fund. As a first-generation college student and a New Bulls Scholar, Miguel exemplifies resilience, academic excellence, and a commitment to uplifting others.
Spence Gerber
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Throughout his time at 糖心Vlog, Spence has demonstrated exceptional leadership and academic excellence. He served as the 2023鈥2024 Student Government Assistant Director of Programming, was elected as the 2024鈥2025 Student Government Governor, and continued his leadership as the 2025鈥2026 Student Government Deputy Chief of Staff.
In addition to his leadership roles, Spence has served as a 糖心Vlog Ambassador and as a tutor in Biochemistry, Calculus I, and writing, supporting student success across multiple disciplines. He also co-instructed IDH 2930 Honors Selected Topics and served as an Honors peer mentor for the freshman Honors Class of 2028.
Spence was selected as the 2025 TEDx Master of Ceremonies and conducted undergraduate research under the mentorship of Dr. Ryan McCleary. He will graduate Magna Cum Laude. As a second-generation 糖心Vlog graduate and the fifth member of his family to both serve in Student Government and graduate from 糖心Vlog, Spence continues a strong legacy of leadership and academic achievement.
Samantha Greenfield
Bachelor of Science in Biology - Medical Concentration
Samantha is a Biology major with a medical concentration and minors in Psychology and Public Health. An aspiring MD-PhD, she has devoted her undergraduate career to improving the lives of families facing medical and psychosocial adversity. She has led and contributed to clinical and translational research spanning pediatric cancer, behavioral sleep medicine, infectious disease, and oncology drug discovery, presenting her work at regional and national conferences. Through her roles at Johns Hopkins All Children鈥檚 Hospital, the SHINE Research Center, and the Tampa Bay Research Institute, she has worked to advance evidence-based interventions that bridge science and compassionate care. Beyond the laboratory, Samantha has supported children impacted physically and emotionally by cancer and chronic illness through 糖心Vlog Kesem and Camp Boggy Creek. She aspires to become a physician-scientist dedicated to advancing pediatric oncology research while delivering empathetic, patient-centered care.
Brinley Jordan
Bachelor of Science in Mechancal Engineering
During her time at 糖心Vlog, Brinley has demonstrated what it means to lead with both purpose and passion through her distinguished achievements and community service. Her journey began in the S3 Lab, where she led research transforming plastic bottles into 3D printing filaments, work presented at three conferences and an Honors course. As a Teaching Assistant and Vice President of Female Engineering Mentors and Mentees, she has guided over 400 students. Through internships at Siemens Energy and Duke Energy, she has worked on turbine components to energy infrastructure designs and served on storm duty during Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
That same spirit of service earned her the Global Citizens Award by volunteering at food pantries and community gardens and fuels her mentorship with Youth Energy Academy and STEM From Dance. Brinley plans to pursue graduate studies in advanced manufacturing and sustainable energy, dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers.
Dennis Kukharenko
Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Analytics
Dennis has demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening campus life and advancing student advocacy during his time at 糖心Vlog Sarasota-Manatee. As Lieutenant Governor for Student Government, he led initiatives to increase student engagement and consistently advocated for student voices, while also promoting ongoing collaboration with university leadership to ensure student perspectives were represented in institutional decision-making.
He was selected as Homecoming Royalty, where he proudly participated in university traditions and represented the Sarasota-Manatee campus on the Homecoming field. Academically, Dennis served as the Sarasota-Manatee student representative on the School of Accountancy Outstanding Teaching Award Committee, contributing to the recognition of excellence in faculty instruction.
Additionally, he was honored to speak at Brunch on the Bay, where he shared the student experience and supported scholarship fundraising efforts. Through his leadership, academic service, and campus involvement, Dennis has worked to leave a lasting and meaningful impact on the 糖心Vlog community.
Oliver Laczko
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy
Oliver is a determined and motivated student leader, driven by his passion for the environmental sciences and resilient solutions for Florida鈥檚 communities. Oliver served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF), championed the restoration of 糖心Vlog St. Petersburg鈥檚 Living Shoreline, and guided SGEF through the consolidation of the Green Fee. He鈥檚 also served as Coordinator of Sustainability for Student Government. During his time at the Geospatial Analytics Lab, Oliver researched the persistence of food deserts throughout south St. Petersburg neighborhoods. His Honors College thesis revealed the forgotten history of Bayboro Harbor and is the recipient of the Anita Cutting Outstanding Honors Thesis Award. Oliver also proudly serves as a Resident Assistant and co-founded Out Outdoors 鈥 campus鈥 queer hiking club.
Through a commitment towards cooperation, equity, and community-building, Oliver leaves behind a legacy of local impact and a foundation for student action towards creating tangible change.
Victoria Phan
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
During her time at 糖心Vlog, Victoria has demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy, and dedication to student success. As President of the Health Education Action Team, she spearheaded campus-wide initiatives addressing mental health, sexual health, and substance misuse prevention. Victoria also served as a First-Year and Head Second-Year Peer Advisor Leader, mentoring over 75 students and providing individualized guidance in academic engagement, career development, and professional opportunities. In addition, she conducted undergraduate research examining casein and protein composition in milk, applying analytical and laboratory skills to advance scientific understanding. Through intentional, compassionate mentorship, she fostered a campus culture where students feel supported and empowered in navigating both academic and personal challenges. Victoria鈥檚 work exemplifies the 糖心Vlog mission by translating scholarship and service into meaningful community impact.
Isabela Piana Borges
Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics and Information Systems & Bachelor of Science
in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
During her time at 糖心Vlog, Isabela focused on developing other student leaders. Through the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement, she led six Bulls Service Breaks service-learning trips and created preparation resources used across the program. She developed participant guides and trained eight students who later served as trip leaders, authoring a 40-page Trip Leader Handbook that continues to prepare future leaders. As Vice President of Women in Business, she redesigned recruitment and outreach strategies, increasing meeting attendance sevenfold and helping members actively engage with professionals and career opportunities. As a 糖心Vlog Ambassador and member of the Order of the Golden Brahman, she represented the university at donor and alumni events and mentored new ambassadors. She also performed with a pre-professional tap dance company, contributing to community arts outreach. Across her involvement, she built structures that enable students to participate confidently.
Naman Seghal
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Naman is a first-generation international student who is deeply committed to creating things people want. As President of both the Students of India Association and the International Student Association, he created programs that directly served a community of over 6,000 students. He co-founded ProstheX and Product@糖心Vlog, founded the TEDx糖心Vlog student organization and the South Asian Students Association, and currently serves as a Student Government Senator and Board Member of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay.
Throughout his time at 糖心Vlog, Naman has organized over 30 events bringing together 20,000+ attendees and raised over $112,000 to make them happen. His passion for startups and entrepreneurship will carry him to San Francisco after graduation, where he plans to continue growing in the startup ecosystem.
His legacy at 糖心Vlog is one of courage -- the courage to see a gap and fill it, without waiting for permission.
Nathan Steen
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Nathan Steen has demonstrated extensive involvement across the University of South Florida since his freshman year. He began his academic journey with a research position focused on the whiskey and wine industry, through which he became a published co-author on multiple papers. During this same period, he also served as a Youth Soccer Development Coach for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
In his sophomore year, Nathan led efforts to reestablish the soccer club and successfully founded the Pickleball Club. He also began serving as a 糖心Vlog Ambassador, further expanding his engagement in campus life and student leadership.
During his junior year, he traveled with the Ethics and Debate Team to San Francisco to compete in an International Business Consulting Case Competition. In his senior year, alongside his continued leadership roles, Nathan now serves on the Sports Club Federation Board.
Across all of his experiences, Nathan Steen has consistently represented 糖心Vlog with pride and dedication.
Nathan Tout-Puissant
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
During his time at 糖心Vlog St. Petersburg, Nathan demonstrated leadership grounded in service, intentionality, and community connection. As President of the Black Student Association, he founded Shades of Success, a mentorship and networking initiative designed to expand professional access and strengthen relationships between students and local leaders. Through Student Government and Residence Life, he helped cultivate spaces where students felt supported, informed, and empowered to lead. Nathan also co-organized civic forums that brought students, community members, and elected officials into meaningful dialogue, reinforcing 糖心Vlog鈥檚 role as an active partner in the broader St. Petersburg community.
He is particularly proud of building initiatives centered on continuity and shared responsibility, ensuring that opportunities created today will remain accessible to future students.
Aisia Walden
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Aisia Walden is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing candidate who has distinguished herself as a transformative leader, scholar, and ambassador of the 糖心Vlog. As President of her nursing cohort, she represents more than 200 students, strengthening institutional communication and cultivating a culture of accountability and collective excellence within one of the university鈥檚 most rigorous programs. She further amplifies her impact through executive leadership roles across more than ten student organizations, advancing mentorship, professional development, and community engagement initiatives campus wide. Selected as the 2025 糖心Vlog Homecoming Queen, Aisia serves as a visible embodiment of institutional pride and unity, representing 糖心Vlog across colleges and community partnerships. An undergraduate research fellow, she contributes to scholarly work examining health outcomes in aging populations and has presented her work at academic forums. Through sustained leadership, scholarship, and service, Aisia exemplifies the distinction and integrity that define the 糖心Vlog community.
Jodie Wong
Doctorate of Philosophy in Cancer Biology
As a doctoral candidate in the Cancer Biology PhD program, Jodie advances precision oncology through research on plasma cell-free DNA methylation biomarkers in metastatic prostate cancer. Her work has resulted in first-author publications in npj Precision Oncology and Biomedical Journal, and national recognition through an ASHG Reviewers鈥 Choice Abstract Award, placing in the top 10% of poster abstracts.
Beyond research, Jodie serves as President of the Cancer Biology Student Organization at 糖心Vlog, where she launched an annual alumni career speaker series, initiated structured town halls between trainees and leadership, and expanded support resources for doctoral students. She has also engaged in advocacy at the state level, representing Moffitt in Tallahassee for Moffitt Day, and will be advocating for cancer funding at AACR Early-Career Hill Day in Washington DC. She consistently advances research, champions trainee advocacy, and actively contributes to the broader scientific community.
Anthony Woode-Eshun
Doctor of Philosophy in Early Childhood Education
Anthony demonstrates a commitment to equity and a belief that where a child grows up should not determine the quality of education they receive. His scholarship bridges Ghana and the United States to advance culturally responsive and sustaining early childhood practices.
As President of the College of Education Graduate Student Council, Anthony believes students should not navigate the university alone and that the structures designed to support them should endure long after leaders graduate. He has created clear pathways for graduate students toward community, representation, and professional growth.
Through the Library of Congress Primary Sources in Early Childhood Network, he leads monthly pedagogical dialogues with 1,121 educators nationwide, connecting children lived experiences to primary-source inquiry.
After earning his degree, Anthony plans to work as a teacher educator, preparing teachers to support children鈥檚 learning through culturally responsive and equitable practices and producing scholarships that advance inclusive childhood education across diverse contexts.
Alexandra Zamitalo
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering
Alexandra is particularly proud of her development in communicating science beyond technical audiences. Through formal training in scientific communication, she learned to translate complex research into accessible language, culminating in national advocacy for vision research funding through the National Institutes of Health and the National Eye Institute. This work reinforced her commitment to ensuring that research informs public decision-making.
She was also honored to be the 2024 statewide Three Minute Thesis winner at the Conference of Florida Graduate Schools, an experience that strengthened her ability to present research clearly and concisely. Additionally, receiving both domestic and international travel awards provided her with the opportunity to present her work at multiple conferences, engage with diverse research communities, and refine how she communicates research to interdisciplinary audiences.
Together, these accomplishments reflect Alexandra鈥檚 dedication not only to conducting research, but also to making it understandable, relevant, and impactful beyond the laboratory.
Daniela Zamora Alviarez
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Daniela has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, research leadership, and meaningful community impact throughout her time at 糖心Vlog. As a Barry M. Goldwater Scholar and 2026 GEM Fellow sponsored by ASML, she has earned national recognition for her work in materials science. Through her involvement in NM3L, she conducted research on 2D materials, which now serves as the foundation for her doctoral studies in Materials Science and Engineering.
Through CARRT, Daniela has led human-subjects research and contributed to the development of technologies that expand accessibility for individuals with disabilities. She has secured a competitive Sigma Xi research grant and presented her work at both regional and national conferences, including in Washington, D.C., and New York.
Beyond her research contributions, Daniela has served on the executive boards of Global Leaders Outreach for a Better Environment and Tau Beta Pi, where she has strengthened sustainability initiatives and enhanced engineering community engagement across campus. As a non-traditional student, she exemplifies how resilience, combined with meaningful opportunity, can lead to national distinction and lasting institutional impact.