#  Student Retreat 

 



       ![2025 Retreat](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_28_10__1920x685/public/2025-09/IMG_1415.jpeg?itok=uiSqN_IH) 

 

 



 

 



 

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### The BBS Student Retreat is an immersive experience designed to help students unplug and connect with like-minded peers in a fun and supportive environment. Through engaging workshops, talks, and social events, students gain new perspectives, build lasting friendships, and return feeling refreshed and empowered.

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During this 3-day retreat, we honor BBS community members who have made a significant impact in our community. These prestigious awards celebrate the innovation, leadership, and dedication, of those who have gone above and beyond to inspire others:

**John J. Hatch Teaching Award**  
This award honors John J. Hatch, a beloved member of the BBS community of students, for his passion for teaching and self-less dedication to mentoring students. Nominees should be current BBS students who have demonstrated dedication to and excellence in education and informal advising and mentoring of Harvard College, Harvard GSAS/BBS, and potentially secondary school students as a Teaching Fellow / Assistant for courses, seminars, and/or other educational activities. Awardees will have demonstrated deep caring and empathy for students, their education and career advancement; inspired students to think creatively, deeply, and rigorously; encouraged students to seek their interests by exploring across fields; and generously offered their time not only for formal academics, but also for informal advice, guidance, and mentoring.

**Brina Sheeman Shackelford Teaching Award**  
Nominees should be faculty or students who have made a significant contribution to the education of BBS students through teaching classes, seminars, or other educational activities or serving as teaching assistants for classes. Winners will have shown concern for students, inspired students to think creatively, sparked students interest in particular fields, and generously given their time to ensure student learning.

**BBS Award for Mentoring**  
A student-advisor relationship based on mutual respect and trust is extremely important to the student's graduate career and future career. The winners of this award have shown concern for the student's well-being, helped and guided the student on a timely course to graduation, provided positive feedback and constructive criticism on the student's work and general strengths and weaknesses, imparted to the students their experience in not only experimental science but other aspects of science such as collaboration and publication, and provided guidance and support to help students achieve the goals of their chosen career path. The candidate can be involved in any kind of mentoring relationship (i.e. doesn't have to be a student/thesis-advisor relationship).

**BBS Service Award**  
Winners will be current faculty, students or BBS office staff who have shown commitment to the excellence of the BBS program through participation in BBS committees, serving as TFs, or organizing innovations in the BBS program. People will have worked to ensure/improve the quality of student life, curriculum or program services. People who have contributed to the community outside of BBS are also eligible to receive this award.



 

##  Congratulations to the 2025 Award Recipients! 

**Mentoring:**  
Deepali Ravel

**Teaching:**  
Fred Winston

**John J. Hatch Teaching Award:**  
Chris Li  
  
**Service:**  
Connie Cepko