The Robert Holland Jr. Award (Holland Award) celebrates outstanding senior scientists dedicated to research excellence, creative teaching, and a deeply impactful mentorship style.
Dr. Amy Mainzer was chosen for the Robert Holland Jr. Award because she perfectly embodies the harmony of world-class research, pedagogical innovation, and transformative mentorship. Beyond her exceptional record as a planetary scientist and astrophysicist, Dr. Mainzer is an award-winning educator who actively utilizes inclusive and modern pedagogies to dismantle barriers in the classroom. Her deep commitment to serving as an empathetic, inclusive mentor ensures that every student has the tools to reach their full potential. Furthermore, her systemic leadership in initiatives dedicated to broadening participation and retention in STEM makes her a vital, powerful new voice. By welcoming Dr. Mainzer into the Cottrell Scholar Community, they enrich collaborative teams and conferences with a leader uniquely dedicated to shaping an equitable future for the scientific community.
Established in honor of the late Robert Holland Jr.—an engineer, corporate executive, and dedicated RCSA Board member from 1997–2010—the award welcomes recipients into the prestigious Cottrell Scholar community. Through this partnership, awardees bring diverse perspectives and innovative ideas to both the annual Cottrell Scholar Conference and active collaborative teams.
This year’s winners:
Amy Mainzer
Astronomy
University of California, Los Angeles
Jorge Colón
Chemistry
University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
Davita Watkins
Chemistry
Ohio State University