Nancy Elwess wasn’t convinced—just yet.

Elwess, an associate professor of biological sciences at SUNY Plattsburgh, had just hung up the phone with someone claiming to be calling from the White House. The reason for the call: to inform her that she had been selected as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

“After I hung up, I picked up the phone and called back to verify because it’s not every day you get a call from the White House about an award,” said Elwess, laughing. “It was the number for the officer of science information, not the switchboard and they said ‘Didn’t I just get off the phone with you?’ I just wanted to be sure that someone wasn’t yanking my chain.”

The July call was legitimate. Elwess was one of 22 professors from across the U.S. selected for the award, which includes a $10,000 grant to help further the winners’ mentoring efforts. President Barack Obama will present the award to Elwess and the other recipients at a fall reception at the White House. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring is awarded annually to recognize the importance of mentoring on the academic and personal development of students studying science or engineering.

“There is no higher calling than furthering the educational advancement of our nation’s young people and encouraging and inspiring our next generation of leaders,” President Obama said in a White House press release announcing the winners. “These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all.”

“We are very proud of Professor Elwess’ accomplishments,” said UUP President Phillip Smith.

Elwess works with undergraduate students, who help to conduct DNA research on ancient Maya skeletons on loan from Belize; the skeletons may date as far back as 1500 A.D. By conducting tests on the skeletons, found at a Mayan temple site, students are trying to determine their age, their family ties, what type of diseases they may have died from and other data.

She has taken as many as 100 of her students to national and international science conferences to give presentations on their research. Two of her students receivedoffers to attend graduate programs at the universities of Miami and Kentucky after presenting at a conference, she said. Elwess’ students have also gone on to pursue higher degrees at Yale and the University of Oregon.

“What I try to do is not only to teach them about the science, but give them ownership of a part of the project,” she said. “One of the best things I think I can do for them is take them to conferences and have them present information there.”

But it’s the positive impact that mentoring can have on a student that keeps Elwess energized.

“I never realized how powerful a mentor can be until I had two people come into my life who were mentors,” said Elwess. “One is a retired teacher who served as an adjunct professor at SUNY Plattsburgh and I’ve learned so much from her. The other was a mentor at Purdue University (where Elwess earned her master’s in molecular biology) who I still seek advice from.”

— Michael Lisi