The Fischell Department of Bioengineering (BIOE) announced the three recipients of the Instructional Impact Awards for the Spring 2025 semester. Biocomputational Engineering (BCE) Lecturer Jarred Callura, second-year Ph.D. student Ananya Harithasa Elati, and recent graduate Julie Zacharko were selected as recipients of this semester’s department Impact Awards. These student-nominated awards honor one faculty member, one graduate teaching assistant (GTA), and one undergraduate teaching fellow (UTF) each semester for their dedication and contributions to student success.

Faculty Instructional Impact Award

Jarred Callura
Lecturer

BCE Lecturer Jarred Callura received the Faculty Instructional Impact Award for his deep commitment to mentoring students in the Biocomputational Engineering program at the University of Maryland, Shady Grove campus. Since transitioning into teaching five years ago, Callura has dedicated himself to fostering personal connections with students and supporting them throughout their academic journey.

“It was quite humbling! With the plethora of great instructors in the department, and as someone who made a mid-career change and had only been teaching for five years, this award is not something that I imagined winning,” said Callura. “The fact that the award is driven by student nominations makes it extra special to me.”

Callura teaches five different courses to the same group of students over their junior and senior years. This continuity allows him to build strong, lasting relationships and invest deeply in their success.

“I believe that God has put me at the University of Maryland to serve these specific students, and it is my faith-fueled passion to do just that,” he said.

Outside of the classroom, Callura remains highly accessible, regularly offering one-on-one guidance and evening Zoom sessions to support students on their own schedules. This level of availability and individual support stood out to many nominators, who credited him with helping them overcome challenges and feel more confident in their academic paths.

“Dr. Callura has always gone the extra mile to support students by answering questions anytime and simplifying complex subjects.” One student nomination noted. “I can confidently say that  Dr. Callura’s classes have made me feel far more prepared to begin a career in this field.” 

He credits the small class sizes in the BCE program for creating opportunities to move beyond a surface-level instructor-student relationship and to create a more personalized and supportive classroom experience.

GTA Instructional Impact Award

Ananya Harithasa Elati
2nd-Year Ph.D. Student

Ananya Harithasa Elati, a second-year bioengineering Ph.D. student in Dr. Anthony Kim’s lab at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), received the Graduate Instructional Impact Award for her contributions to BIOE689W, Special Topics in Bioengineering: Mastering Scientific Writing: From Grants to Publications. Her research focuses on using nanomedicine to deliver radiosensitizers to the brain for improved treatment of glioblastoma.

“I feel honored to receive this award, and I am very glad to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Moore to help create a positive learning experience for the students in BIOE689W,” said Elati.

In the classroom, Elati worked to build student confidence in their writing abilities and provide support as they prepared for their qualifying exams. She says her favorite part of being a TA is engaging with student writing and helping them grow.

“Positive feedback can be really encouraging to receive, especially for first-year graduate students,” Elati says.
Elati drew from her own experiences to offer practical advice and feedback, helping students build skills and gain confidence during a pivotal moment in their academic journey.

UTF Instructional Impact Award

Julie Zacharko
Senior Undergraduate

Julie Zacharko, a recent graduate of the BIOE program, received the Undergraduate Instructional Impact Award for her outstanding service as a teaching fellow and mentor to her peers.

Zacharko spent her undergraduate summers as an intern at the Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) and was an active member in campus organizations like the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and Academic Success and Tutorial Services (ASTS). She also served as a chemistry tutor and was part of the High-Flux Hemofiltration Capstone team, which won first place at the 2025 Capstone Design Expo. After graduation, she will begin working as a clinical researcher at Vanda Pharmaceuticals.

“I’m incredibly honored and grateful to be selected for the Instructional Impact Award,” said Zacharko. “It’s truly rewarding to know that the work I’ve put into supporting students and improving the learning experience is making a difference in their lives.”

Zacharko focused on creating an open and encouraging learning environment where students felt safe to ask questions and engage with the material.

“My favorite part of being a TA is building relationships with other students,” she said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to watch students progress over the semester and improve their understanding of the content.”

In addition to academic support, Zacharko made time to connect with students personally and build a sense of community in the classroom. Zacharko also credits Senior Lecturer Deborah Goldberg for her mentorship and guidance.

“I strive to create an open and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable participating,” Zacharko says. “These small conversations help build trust and a stronger sense of community.”

“I was only able to be successful in this position because of the dedication and support of Dr. Goldberg,” she said. “Her genuine care for her students and unwavering commitment made a lasting impact on me.”