April 13, 2026
Derek Dannaldson, Krisha Rithwik Karra and Gabriella Ramirez received the Award for Academic Distinction. Ramirez also received the Hesburgh Scholarship.
Three Mizzou Engineering undergraduate students received campus awards April 10 for their academic achievements.
Electrical engineering senior Derek Dannaldson and computer science seniors Krishna Rithwik Karra and Gabriella Ramirez were among the 15 most promising Mizzou undergraduates to receive the Award for Academic Distinction. The award recognizes academic excellence beyond the classroom. It is the only university-wide award of its kind.
Ramirez also received the Hesburgh Scholarship Award. The TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Endowment Fund enables the General Education Program to award four $1,200 academic achievement scholarships to one student from each of the four undergraduate classes.
Gabriella Ramirez
Ramirez was nominated for both awards by her mentor Kevin Middleton.
“Gabriella is a once‑a‑decade student, someone who just gets research,” he said. “She stepped far outside her major, designed experiments most graduate students wouldn’t think of, and always led with curiosity, persistence and a desire to do good for people.”
Ramirez said she was grateful for the award.
“Over the last four years, I have really come into my own as a student, researcher and scientist,” Ramirez said. “I’m excited to continue pursuing human-computer interaction research in graduate school.”
Krishna Rithwik Karra
Karra was nominated by his mentor Chau Tong.
“Krishna has consistently shown extraordinary intellectual curiosity and a strong habit of seeking knowledge beyond the classroom and sharing it with others,” Tong said. “His ability to work independently to come up with creative solutions to practical research problems is highly impressive and rarely seen in students of similar caliber.”
Karra said he was honored to receive the award.
“It is very meaningful to have my work in research, teaching and student leadership recognized, and I am grateful for the support and mentorship I have received at Mizzou,” Karra said, adding that he plans to continue undergraduate research and ultimately graduate study after graduating in December.
Derek Dannaldson
Dannaldson was nominated by Learning Center Tutoring Coordinator Caitlin Danborn.
“As an electrical engineering major with minors in Spanish, Chinese, and math, Derek has demonstrated exceptional intellectual curiosity in a wide range of disciplines,” she said. “He is an excellent tutor and stands out for his ability to build rapport with tutees.”
Dannaldson said receiving the award made him happy.
“It reminded me of how unique my experience has been at Mizzou,” he said. “Sometimes I get into a routine and forget how special my time here has been.”
Dannaldson will begin work at Honeywell FMT after he graduates in May.