Alec Courtelis Award is presented to international students

Firas Kobeissy and Fangliang Zhang were each honored with an Alec Courtelis Award at the International Student Academic Awards April 21.

The Alec Courtelis Award is presented to just three international students from the entire university each year to honor their academic accomplishments and community service.

Kobeissy (L) and Zhang are doctoral candidates in the interdisciplinary program in biomedical sciences. Kobeissy is completing his dissertation research in the departments of neuroscience and psychiatry. Outside of research, he organized Gainesville’s first Palestinian Film Festival.

Zhang is completing his dissertation research in the biochemistry and molecular biology department. He has volunteered for the Friendship Association of Chinese Students and Scholars and for the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida.