ASEV Awards Record $110,500 in Scholarships and Honors Best Student Presentations in Enology and Viticulture

DAVIS, Calif., September 25, 2024…The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) presented 23 enology and viticulture students throughout North America with $110,500 – its largest awarded amount to date – in scholarships and six students with awards at the 2024 ASEV National Conference.

Two outstanding students received the ASEV Presidents’ Award for Scholarship in Enology and Viticulture for exceeding expectations of the traditional scholarship program, each receiving $12,500: Michael Cook from Texas A&M University, College Station, for viticulture; and Austin Montgomery from Cornell University, New York, for enology.

In addition, twenty-one students received the ASEV traditional scholarship. These students include:

• Mark Walker Bartz, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Arpa Boghozian, University of California, Davis
• Pierre Davadant, Washington State University, Prosser – ASEV Michael Vail Scholarship Recipient
• Sarah Davis, University of British Columbia, Canada
• Hava Delavar, North Dakota State University, Fargo
• Sam Dudley, University of California, Davis
• Amanda Fleming, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville – ASEV James Wolpert Scholarship ​Recipient
• Jenna Fryer, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Anupa Gaire, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Bijaya Ghimire, North Dakota State University, Fargo 
• Daniel Hillin, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Lik Xian Lim, University of California, Davis
• Megan Meharg, Washington State University, Tri-Cities
• Kiley Osterman, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Juliana Pazos, Washington State University, Prosser
• Marnelle Salie, California State University, Fresno 
• Walter Willis Sanders, University of Georgia, Athens
• Madison Shaw, Washington State University, Prosser
• Jesse Stevens, Washington State University, Tri-Cities
• Nicholas Wendrick, University of Florida, Gainesville – ASEV Dennis Martin Scholarship Recipient 
• Shijian George Zhuang, University of California, Riverside

For more information about the ASEV scholarship programs, visit the Scholarship Program web page. Scholarship applications are accepted annually by March 1.

In addition to financial support, ASEV provides students with opportunies for professional development, mentorship and networking at the ASEV National Conference. Each year, selected students are recognized for best oral, poster and flash talk presentations in viticulture and enology. Sponsored by J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines and Lallemand Inc., the following six students were recognized with the Best Student Presentation Awards within their respective fields:

VITICULTURE:

• Oral Presentation: Christian Mandelli, Oregon State University, Corvallis, for Exploring the Host-Pathogen Molecular Interactions through Multi-OMICs for GRBV Control in Grapevine
• Flash Talk: Kenneth Donsky, Oregon State University, Corvallis, for Accelerating Molecular Breeding via Development of a Novel Multiplexed Gene-Editing Method for Vitis vinifera
• Poster: Lauren Picone, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, for Assessing Long-Term Effects of Regenerative Management Practices on Vineyard Soil Health

ENOLOGY

• Oral Presentation: Matt Garcia, Oregon State University, Corvallis, for Effect of Malolactic Fermentation Timing and Cold Soaking with Torulaspora delbrueckii on Pinot noir Sensory Properties
• Flash Talk: Megan Meharg, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, for Effect of Yeast Strain Selection on the Concentration of Smoke-Derived Volatile Phenols and Thiophenols in Wine
• Poster: Mitchell Davey, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, for Comparison of Freeze-Killed versus Freeze-Dried Leaves for the Production of Frost Tainted Cabernet Sauvignon Wines

ASEV is deeply committed to fostering the future of the grape and wine industry by supporting students through scholarships and educational opportunities. By investing in the next generation of viticulture and enology professionals, ASEV helps ensure continued success and innovation within the field. This commitment reflects a belief in the importance of education, mentorship and cultivating talent that will shape the industry’s future for years to come.

Founded in 1950 by a group of researchers and winemakers, ASEV is dedicated to the interests of enologists, viticulturists, and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production throughout the world. The 2025 ASEV National Conference will be held in Monterey, California, on June 16-19. For more information, visit asev.org.