PhD Awards
2025 Best Dissertation Award
The William F. Ballhaus, Jr. Prize for Excellence in Graduate Engineering Research is the Viterbi School’s Best Dissertation Award.
Best Dissertation Symposium
Date: May 13, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Ginsburg Hall
Best Dissertation Award Nominations are due: April 1, 2025
A complete nomination submission consists of:
1. Completing the 2025 BEST DISSERTATION SYMPOSIUM NOMINATIONS FORM with the Student Nominee's Information
2. Uploading the student's CV
3. Uploading one Letter of Recommendation, up to 2-page maximum that includes the following:
a. Contextualizes the research within the broader field
b. Describes to some extent the impact of this work
c. Adds depth beyond the CV, rather than duplicating information
When nominating students for this award, please consider the following:
- The candidate(s) must have a graduation term of Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025.
- Candidates with a Summer 2025 graduation term will be eligible for the Best Dissertation Award during the Spring 2026 consideration period.
- Each postcode is eligible for one nomination.
- Candidates must defend and submit the required paperwork and obtain the committee’s approval by the first week of April.
Exception: Computer Science will receive 3 nominations, and the ECE department that has 2 post codes, but will receive 3 total nominations.
2025 Best Dissertation Award Additional Information:
- The candidate must be able to present during the Best Dissertation Symposium on May 13, 2025
- The winner will be announced at the PhD Hooding Ceremony on May 14, 2025