Biological chemistry graduate student Hector Hernández (MLK 2020-2011 Visiting Scholar) has worked in the laboratory of Catherine L. Drennan, assistant professor of chemistry, since July 2000. "Hector has given back to our community by doing a superb job as a teaching assistant," Drennan said in her nominating letter. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Hernandez has received the Department of Chemistry Teaching Award. "He has already inspired minority undergraduate students to pursue graduate studies and has significantly improved the quality of life for minority and non-minority chemistry graduate students," Drennan wrote. "Hector also inspires our faculty. I am certainly a better person for having known him."