Image: Congratulations to Riley Thoen! Riley is the recipient of the 2026 Graduate School Excellence in Teaching Award. The University of Georgia Graduate School established this award to honor teaching assistants and laboratory assistants who have excelled in the performance of their teaching responsibilities. It is given to no more than five recipients each year. Riley's selection recognizes his record of distinguished service to the instructional mission of the university, while pursuing a rigorous program of study as a graduate student. Riley was recognized for his work as an instructor in PBIO 3270: Flowers and as a writing TA for students performing research in biology labs (BIOL4960R, 4970R, 4980R). In Flowers, which is typically an upper-level elective course, he taughtstudents about the structure and function of flowering plants and facilitated group research projects on flowering plants using data collected by citizen scientists. This course largely serves to help students gain an appreciation for plants and pollinators so they can understand the role they play in natural communities. In BIOL, Riley hosted writing workshops and retreats, developed writing resources, and reviewed and gave feedback on scientific papers of undergraduate researchers. Riley's research (in the DeMarche lab) focuses on understanding the influence of climate on the conservation of a native Georgia plant species, Porter’s sunflower (also known as Stone Mountain Daisy). In his dissertation, which he successfully defended on March 4th, 2026, Riley found that Porter’s sunflower is especially sensitive to hot and dry to conditions, which are increasing in Georgia due to climate change. The robust blooms of Porter’s sunflower are the backdrop for the yearly Yellow Daisy festival at Stone Mountain, so the reductions in populations of this species may have significant cultural impact. Great job, Riley! For more information on his research, see Riley's website.
