Liang Ma has been awarded the 2016 Annual Innovation Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis from Durgam and Subha Chakrapani Family Trust. Liang is a student in Andrew Smith’s reseach group focusing on quantum dots for quantitative and multiplexed protein analysis in tissue. The award is in recognition of an outstanding Ph.D. thesis characterized by innovation and potential for commercialization in the field of materials science and engineering. The award comprises of a $4000 cash award and a medallion presented to the award recipient.