Food Systems students receive 2025 School of Public Health Excellence Awards

Congratulations to student and staff recipients in the University of Washington Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health (FSNH) program who were recognized with 2025 UW School of Public Health (SPH) Excellence Awards.

Every year, the School celebrates individuals from each department and program for their exemplary work and academic achievements.

Alex Ball 

2025 Outstanding Undergraduate Student, School of Public Health

The School of Public Health has recognized Alex Ball as the 2025 Outstanding Undergraduate Student in the School of Public Health and for the FSNH program. Ball is a senior majoring in Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health and has worked with the UW Farm to help distribute produce to both community households and UW students, while also providing education about the food system to student volunteers. He plans to build on this experience and his undergraduate coursework to further explore the nuances of how our food system affects the health of communities by pursuing a Master’s in Public Health (MPH). His ultimate goal is to research and implement programs that improve public health outcomes through food, while applying a systems view to also improve the sustainability of our food system.

For his capstone project, Alex worked with a team of peers and the City of Seattle to advance the city’s Food Action Plan. Yona Sipos, his capstone instructor, says, “Alex is a clear leader in our 90-person class and in his team, where he is the community partner liaison for their community-based project. I have been consistently impressed by his commitment to collaboration with both his peers and city leaders throughout the project development.”

As the School of Public Health Outstanding Undergraduate Student, Alex will be invited to speak at the School’s June graduation ceremony.

Related: Q&A with Alex Ball about his experience in the program

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Hannah Sanders 

2025 Outstanding Master’s Student, Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health  

Hannah Sanders is a Master of Public Health student and is completing RDN training in the Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics, and is recognized for her demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Hannah has consistently been engaged in service activities in her community for the last several years that demonstrate her commitment to public health. These activities include working as a peer mentor to UW undergraduate students, as an after school program educator, as an English language tutor to refugees, as a food delivery volunteer, and as a volunteer for anti-trafficking efforts.

Hannah is graduating with an MPH in Nutrition and completing the Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics. She plans to use her training to promote equity in nutrition access and outcomes globally. At UW, she interned with PATH’s Newborn Nutrition team, completed her thesis on the nutrient adequacy of the Planetary Health Diet for West Africa, and served on the board of the Greater Seattle Dietetic Association. Prior to graduate school, she worked in health care consulting and supported public health nutrition research in Kenya and Senegal. Hannah earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Wheaton College.

June 4, 2025