Dr. Anna Karls won the 2011 UGA Graduate School Outstanding Mentoring Award, which recognizes and rewards faculty for “innovation and effectiveness in mentoring graduate students during their educational experience.” This honor and $500 award are bestowed to only one faculty member in the Life/Physical Sciences every other year. Dr. Karls earned this award for her committed mentoring of many graduate students; in her laboratory, on more than twenty current PhD advisory committees, and throughout the Microbiology Department in her role as graduate coordinator. Over the last decade, Dr. Karls has been unique and outstanding in her promotion of career development opportunities for graduate students, her encouragement and assistance in applications for graduate fellowships, and in helping graduate students navigate both scientific problems and life decisions. As her nomination letter notes, it would be difficult to find someone at UGA “who is as selfless in giving her time and experience to help students at all levels succeed in classes, in the lab, and ultimately, in life, as Dr. Anna Karls is.” Dr. Karls is pictured with graduate student mentee David Samuels, who nominated her for the award.