South Beloit native receives two awards from Marquette University

MILWAUKEE, WI (07/19/2012)(readMedia)-- Alexis Onderak, daughter of John and Tamara, was honored with the Gold Medal Award from Marquette University's Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences. Onderak graduated in May with a bachelor of science in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Department of Biological Sciences.

The Gold Medal Award is given to the graduating senior or seniors with the highest cumulative grade point average. Of the many awards recognizing academic achievement by students in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, none speaks so clearly of the recipient's intelligence, commitment to studies, academic discipline and extraordinary passion to learn.

Onderak also received the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research Award from Marquette University's Department of Biological Sciences. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in research by a junior or senior majoring in the Biological Sciences Department. Using nominations from faculty, a committee selects students who have displayed talent for research, including initiative, independence, and the ability to design and carry out experiments on their own, and from an abstract submitted by the student. Onderak conducted her research with James Anderson, associate professor of

biological sciences.

Onderak enjoyed participating in intramural sports at Marquette and was a loyal season ticket holder for Marquette men's basketball. She also received the Department of Biological Sciences Research in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Award. After graduation, Onderak plans to attend graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry.