NSH Awards and Scholarships

Let's Celebrate Excellence in Histology!

The NSH Awards and Scholarship Program honors outstanding contributions to the field of histotechnology. With the support of our industry sponsors, we recognize professionals and students who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and dedication to advancing histological practices. Whether you're nominating a colleague or yourself, this is your opportunity to showcase achievements, further your career, and shape the future of histotechnology. Apply today and let NSH celebrate your impact!

Awards

Scholarships

Congratulations to our 2026 Award & Scholarship Winners!

Linda McDonald

Luminary Lifetime Achievement Award

Linda's career is marked by extraordinary achievements in histology, including decades of technical excellence, recognized expertise in special stains, and an unwavering commitment to quality and accuracy in laboratory practice. She made a lasting impact through her extensive work as an educator and mentor, shaping generations of histology professionals through teaching, guidance, and example. Her leadership and advocacy within NSH helped advance professional standards, elevate education, and strengthen the histology community.

Brian Tabb

President's Award

Brian has made a significant and sustained contribution to NSH through five years of dedicated service on the Program Team, demonstrating expertise, reliability, and commitment even during periods of personal health challenges. When he was able to attend the Annual Convention, he quickly emerged as a leader—most notably assuming the role of Poster Chair and successfully elevating the newly formatted poster program while continuing his Program Team service. His quiet leadership, scientific insight, and commitment to excellence embody the spirit of service recognized by this award.

Jamie Pert

Histotechnologist of the Year

Jamie has made a significant and lasting impact on the field of histology through exceptional leadership, education, and service. As a Program Director and instructor, she has trained and mentored countless students and professionals, while also shaping national education through her work with the NSH, including committee service, conference programming, and exam preparation. Her passion, expertise, and commitment to preserving and advancing histology skills have earned her widespread respect and made her a trusted leader in the profession.

Cristi Rigazio

Excellence in Histology Laboratory Management 

Cristi is a highly accomplished histotechnology professional with over 23 years of experience, recognized for exceptional leadership, technical excellence, and a sustained commitment to quality patient care across research, physician-owned, and large multi-hospital health system laboratories. As Anatomic Pathology Laboratory Manager and Clinical Specialist for Sentara Health, she has led system‑wide innovations in LIS optimization, regulatory compliance, telepathology, and operational efficiency across 12 hospitals, consistently achieving strong CAP inspection outcomes with minimal deficiencies. Beyond her organization, Cristi is a respected national educator and advocate for the profession, serving as a repeat NSH speaker and mentor whose influence advances histology practice, leadership development, and professional engagement nationwide.

Amber Moser

Journal of Histotechnology Collaborative Research Award

Amber is an accomplished histotechnologist and Principal Investigator whose work has significantly advanced both laboratory practice and professional education. She has led GLP-compliant studies, developed and validated new histology and IHC protocols, and contributed impactful research resulting in peer‑reviewed publications, award‑winning posters, and national NSH presentations—including first‑place poster recognition related to safer alternatives for Masson’s Trichrome staining. Through her active involvement with NSH and ASCP, Amber has demonstrated exceptional scientific insight, leadership, and dedication to improving safety and quality in histotechnology.

Andrea Transou

Jules Elias Excellence in Immunohistochemistry

Andrea Transou is a highly accomplished senior histotechnologist and laboratory manager whose expertise in immunohistochemistry and translational research has significantly advanced brain tumor science and precision medicine. As Manager of the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center Histology Core at Henry Ford Health, she has led assay development, quality improvement, and Lean process initiatives while contributing to more than 20 peer‑reviewed publications cited over 300 times. Her technical leadership, national teaching through NSH, and deep commitment to mentorship, regulatory excellence, and scientific rigor exemplify the highest standards of the histotechnology profession.

Quincy Gu

Journal of Histotechnology Editor of the Year Award

Quincy Gu has demonstrated outstanding editorial leadership and made significant contributions to the Journal of Histotechnology. His work has strengthened the quality, impact, and direction of the journal, reflecting a deep commitment to scientific excellence and professional scholarship. This well‑deserved honor highlights Quincy’s influence on advancing histotechnology through thoughtful editorial guidance and service to the NSH community.

Ali Manzo

Excellence in Whole Slide Scanning and Image Analysis

Ali is a nationally recognized leader in digital pathology whose more than 20‑year career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has helped define excellence in whole‑slide imaging operations. As Digital Pathology Operations Manager, she led enterprise‑wide scanning workflows—including the EPIC integration—achieving measurable gains in efficiency, regulatory compliance, and image quality while maintaining uninterrupted diagnostic and research services. Her rare blend of imaging expertise, informatics training, and collaborative leadership has advanced digital pathology practice through peer‑reviewed publications, national presentations, and sustained mentorship, making her a standout contributor to the profession.

Kannitha Chek

Molecular Histotechnology Advancement Scholarship

Kannitha is an emerging leader in histotechnology whose work bridges traditional histology and advanced molecular diagnostics. As a Histology Technician and Teaching Assistant at Inova Health System, she has implemented clinically adopted molecular workflows—including a cost‑effective IHC protocol for detecting BRAF V600E in thyroid cancer—while mentoring students and staff and supporting high board‑pass success. Her combination of published research, national poster presentation, hands‑on teaching, and leadership in molecular testing positions her as a future leader advancing precision, genomics‑driven patient care.

Tori Smith

Professional Scholarship

Tori is a dedicated histotechnician and laboratory team lead at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory whose work exemplifies technical excellence, quality leadership, and professional service. She has spearheaded process improvements and quality initiatives in a high‑volume diagnostic setting while actively contributing to education and outreach as President of the Wisconsin Histology Society, an NSH presenter, and a newly appointed member of the NSH Governance Committee. Her strong commitment to continuous learning, leadership development, and advancing standards in histotechnology marks her as an emerging leader in the profession.

Nate Rampy

Professional Scholarship

Nate is an emerging histotechnology professional with a strong academic foundation in molecular and cellular biology and a growing record of meaningful scientific contribution. As a Research Associate at Premier Laboratory, he has quickly mastered routine and special histology techniques, contributed as first author to an award‑winning NSH poster on enhanced collagen detection, and is developing this work into a manuscript for the Journal of Histotechnology. His intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and commitment to pursuing HT/HTL certification position him as a promising future contributor to the profession.

Makenna Back

Student Scholarship

Makenna is an exceptional histotechnology student who has distinguished herself through outstanding academic achievement, technical competence, and professionalism. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA while completing rigorous clinical training in a high‑volume anatomic pathology laboratory, she has demonstrated advanced skills in embedding, microtomy, special stains, and regulatory compliance, earning consistently outstanding evaluations and an invitation to return to her clinical site. Her dedication to the profession, clear commitment to advancing her education and certifications, and active engagement with NSH mark her as a highly promising future histotechnologist.

Rachelle Honeywell

Student Scholarship

Rachelle  is a highly motivated graduate student in the Master of Cytopathology Practice program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where she is developing strong foundations in histotechnology, cytotechnology, and molecular diagnostics. After beginning her college education later in life, she has demonstrated exceptional perseverance and academic dedication, progressing from an associate degree to graduate study while completing research and laboratory internships in scientific and medical settings. Her commitment to hands‑on clinical excellence, professional relationship‑building, and service to both her community and the histology profession marks her as a promising future histologist with a clear sense of purpose and impact.

Kia Adams

Student Scholarship

Kia Adams is a scientist‑educator whose career uniquely bridges academic instruction, clinical laboratory practice, and workforce development in histotechnology. A tenure‑track Biology Instructor and Histology/Cytology Support Technician, she has combined excellence in teaching, clinical compliance, and research with outstanding academic achievement—earning a 4.0 GPA and Dean’s List honors while completing Indiana University’s Histotechnology Certificate Program. Her long‑term vision to establish accessible histotechnology education pathways locally reflects her leadership, commitment to community impact, and dedication to strengthening the future clinical laboratory workforce.

Inova

Peggy Wenk Histology Program Scholarship

Inova intends to use the awarded funds to strengthen and expand its NAACLS‑accredited Histotechnology (HT and HTL) education programs by giving students hands‑on exposure to advanced molecular diagnostics. Specifically, the funding will support student participation in an Illumina two‑day, onsite Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) training program, equipping them with practical skills in pre‑ and post‑analytic workflows, troubleshooting, and results interpretation. This investment will enhance student readiness for modern histology laboratories, support innovative curriculum offerings in digital and molecular pathology, and ultimately improve patient care while expanding community outreach and workforce development.

Our 2026 Sponsors

Thank you to our generous award and scholarship sponsors!