University of Alabama at Birmingham graduating senior Branden Duyvestyn has been named 
Branden Duyvestyn the UAB Honors College’s recipient of the 2026 Dean’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student. He was acknowledged at the Honors College Medallion Ceremony in a special presentation.
The UAB Honors College selection committee recognized him for his academic excellence, extensive leadership, and unwavering dedication to the students around him. For Duyvestyn, this recognition means something larger than himself. "Being nominated alongside so many of my peers reminds me of the collective strength of our Honors College cohort and our ability to change the world," he said. "It shows me that my experience was not in isolation and that through our continued teamwork and collaboration, we can navigate the upcoming obstacles in our careers and better the world around us one step at a time."
As a student in the Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Program, Duyvestyn will graduate this spring as Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science. He will also receive High Distinguished Honors in Science and Technology from the UAB Honors College.
"Branden is a true embodiment of what it means to ‘Set Your World on Fire,’" said Shannon L. Blanton, Ph.D., dean of the UAB Honors College. "He brings the same heart and dedication to every opportunity — mentoring first-year students, volunteering in the community, and representing the Honors College with distinction. Faculty, staff, and students alike know Branden, and that is no accident. The Honors College has been incredibly fortunate to have him as one of its own."
Duyvestyn began his freshman year during COVID-19 restrictions, which fueled his fear of isolation and lack of belonging. Like many of his peers, he wanted to find solace that the next four years of his life would prepare him to properly transition into adulthood while finding a “true sense of community at UAB.” The UAB Honors College’s Science and Technology Honors Program (STH) retreat was the pivotal moment that cemented his stellar undergraduate career. "The STH retreat made me feel connected to, and supported by, my peers," he said. "It inspired me to make a difference in my community and help uplift everyone around me." From that point forward, Duyvestyn not only found his footing at UAB but made it his mission to help others find theirs too.
That mission has taken many forms. Within the UAB Honors College, Duyvestyn served in multiple student leadership roles that included the Honors College Leadership Council, Student Mentor and Retreat Team (SMART) Leader and Coordinator, and Honors Ambassador. He was also selected to serve on the Blazing Frontiers Conference Executive Board and the Science and Technology Honors Program Executive Council. Competitive experiential learning opportunities such as the Presidential Honors Fellowship, Blazing Hot Topics Networking Dinner, and Science and Technology Honors Program’s Peer Mentorship program enhanced Duyvestyn’s desire to communicate effectively and grow his networking skills in personal and professional settings. "I learned how to communicate scientific information to the public, bring the questions and concerns of prospective and incoming students to the appropriate faculty, and advocate for my peers by connecting them to the resources they need to thrive," he said.
This growing passion helped define his career aspirations in medicine, working alongside community leaders to address social determinants of health and reach the patients who need care the most. His research through the UAB Division of Nephrology and the UAB Department of Surgery has given him a glimpse at his dream job of becoming a surgeon dedicated to serving underserved communities with interests in urology and general surgery. “Through my future work as a public servant, I hope to connect vulnerable members of the community with the support systems that can help meet their needs,” he said.
As Duyvestyn looks ahead to medical school, he is grounded by a clarity of purpose that has only grown stronger over four years. With an additional goal of becoming a physician, he is undecided on where he will train, but with the experiences and connections made in the UAB Honors College, he is confident that he will reach his long-term goals. “While I know my desired specialty may evolve during medical school, I am confident that the skills I developed through the Honors College will guide how I serve the communities that need it most,” he said.
For students interested in following a similar path of finding their true purpose, Duyvestyn keeps his advice simple. "Focus on meaningful experiences rather than awards,” he said. “When you participate in activities that genuinely interest you, you naturally develop your skill sets. Ironically, when you focus on your passions and genuinely serve others, recognition and awards tend to follow."
