An image of a group of students in graduation robes walking down a spiral staircase with a flag.

Class of 2025 Celebrates Commencement Weekend

By Heidi Opdyke Email Heidi Opdyke

Heidi Opdyke

The Mellon College of Science is helping students enhance their talents and expertise for becoming the next generation of leaders in the workforce. The logic, problem-solving and critical skills our graduates take with them will help them solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. Take a look back at some of the stories of this year’s graduating students along with photos from Commencement Weekend celebrations.

While others sleep, Carnegie Mellon University students flock toward Tech and Frew streets for pre-dawn Buggy practice rolls on Saturdays and Sundays in the spring with unique devotion — among them, Maggie Blair, the head driver for team Apex. Blair studied biological sciences and participated in CMU’s Health Professions Program, with the goal of becoming a medical doctor.

Byron Daniel stands in front of a blackboard with physics equations written on it. He throws an apple in the air as he smiles at the camera.

Carnegie Mellon University Ph.D. student Byron Daniel believes that small, local changes are the best way to start making a difference. He earned the Graduate Student Service Award for his contributions both to his fellow graduate students and the broader Carnegie Mellon community. 

Sangmin Park holds his award.

Sangmin Park uses the mathematics underpinning that transport problem as a tool for research in applied mathematics. For his efforts, he received the Guy C. Berry Graduate Research Award.

Smiling young man seated in front of a faded bookshelf, looking relaxed.

Organic Chemistry courses tend to have a bad reputation. Colin Martin was determined to flip the script. For his efforts, Martin earned the Hugh D. Young Graduate Student Teaching Award.

Stella Trickett stands in the lab and holds a pipette as she smiles at the camera.

Student researchers, including Stella Trickett, who graduated with a major in chemistry on the biological chemistry track and a minor in biomedical engineering, are working to find alternative treatments for non-opioid drug overdoses with fewer side effects.

Mo Zhu stands against a wavy red background.

Mo Zhu, who graduated with a doctorate in neuroscience was first author on a paper showing that activity in pyramidal neurons, a type of cell commonly found in the brain's cerebral cortex, change in activation when the brain is learning.

Annie Meyer holds a starfish.

Annie Meyer investigates how organisms like sea urchins and sea stars develop and how cells transition and differentiate. She received the 2024 Glen de Vries Fellowship for her work.

Logan McGregor used CMU's BXA program to pursue degrees in physics and bagpipe performance. McGregor, who has performed at Commencement Weekend ceremonies throughout his Carnegie Mellon experience, piped at his own graduation this year.

Yunshu Li stands outside of a glass building and a brick archway, and she smiles at the camera.

Yunshu Li earned the Fugassi and Monteverde Award for her interdisciplinary approach to neuroscience research.

Camden Johnson stands outside of Mellon Institute in his graduation regalia. He smiles at the camera.

Camden Johnson earned the Gilman Award for his work encouraging sustainability and investigating ways to remove toxic chemicals from waterways.

Mellon College of Science student Zach Muraskin, a senior graduating with his bachelor’s degree in physics, served as the science team lead for Iris, a rover bound for the moon. Iris, a rover the size of a shoe box, brought together students from every school at CMU and faculty and alumni.

Anna Cappella smiling, sitting in a chemistry lab.

Anna Cappella's interests vary as much as the cells in the human body. From a mock trial attorney to an editor-in-chief of The Tartan, Cappella graduated with double majors in biological sciences and professional writing. She is the 2024 Niccolai-Fustanio Award winner for her academic success and her exploration of experiences outside the classroom.

Female student receiving her diploma from department head.

Francesa Yu, who graduated from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, realized that she was interested in the foundational principles driving her favorite subjects. She found a home in set theory.