RIT student Jolie Crunelle awarded Norman Miles academic excellence honors

For RIT student Jolie Crunelle, finding a faculty mentor to explore research with and confide in has helped her become successful in and out of the classroom. Based on this outstanding blend of academic and extracurricular pursuits, Crunelle is being honored with the 2024-2025 Norman A. Miles Award for Academic Excellence in Study.

The award is given to an individual who began their studies as a first-year student at RIT and is entering their final year of undergraduate study with the highest grade point average across the university. Recommendations from deans are also considered. 

Crunelle, who is earning her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a master’s degree in science, technology and public policy, with a minor in women’s and gender studies, was surprised to learn that she won the award.

“I had no idea that I was even in contention for this award. After all, there are so many excellent students at RIT,” she said. “But, after I learned more, I understood that the chair of my department, as well as many others, really went to bat for me. I’m so grateful that they went out of their way to submit the application on my behalf."

One of those faculty advocates was Kristoffer Whitney, associate professor in the Department of Science, Technology, and Society. Whitney became a valuable research mentor, including Crunelle in his work studying the biomedical use of horseshoe crab blood to detect toxins in vaccines and medical tools. He also helped facilitate a co-written white paper as well as an article in The Conversation on the subject.

“It all started with an RIT news story that I read about Dr. Whitney’s research and I just asked him if I could be part of his research team,” said Crunelle, who is from Charleston, S.C. “That’s the power of building partnerships at RIT.”

Whitney was thrilled when he learned that Crunelle would be the Norman Miles award recipient.

“It’s obvious that Jolie is an ambitious, talented, and brilliant student,” he said. “But, the most impressive thing about Jolie to me, and why it is a joy to work with her, is that she has cultivated a deep intellectual curiosity that allows her to do truly interdisciplinary work.”

In addition to on-campus learning, Crunelle has studied abroad on several occasions including faculty-led trips to Ireland and Guatemala. Most recently, she completed a trip with Engineering World Health’s Summer Institute in Uganda where she learned about medical device troubleshooting and repair and worked in a Ugandan hospital. Whitney helped her acquire funding for the experience.

Crunelle is also a member of the RIT rowing team, Hot Wheelz solar racing team, several religious organizations on campus, and Vis Viva Dance Company.

As part of the award, Crunelle and Whitney will each receive $12,622. Crunelle will apply the funds to tuition; Whitney will use the money for professional use such as purchasing equipment, attending conferences, or other professional development activities.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of finding someone who wants to help you thrive,” she said. “My advice for incoming students is to find that person who you can brainstorm ideas with over coffee. You just never know how those people are going to end up supporting you.”