Biology professor honored as WSU Tri-Cities Woman of Distinction

Tanya Cheeke, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, was one of three individuals recently honored for their notable contributions to the campus and community through service, teaching and/or involvement.

In addition to teaching and research, Tanya works extensively to mentor students in the biological sciences program. She regularly works with undergraduate and graduate students in her lab throughout the school year and mentors students selected for the Chancellor’s Summer Scholars Program.

Cheeke’s research focuses on using symbiotic fungi to help native plants get re-established in disturbed landscapes. Her work has the capacity to repopulate native plant environments, especially after incidents of natural disasters such as wildfires. She is the recipient of thousands of dollars in research grants and her honors include being named as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, Carl Tryggers Postdoctoral Fellow, and Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results Fellow, as well as a visiting scholar at Indiana University.

The 2019 WSU Tri-Cities Women of Distinction recipients were recognized this fall as part of a ceremony at the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center.

Congratulations to these fantastic women who have given greatly to WSU Tri-Cities, its students, and the community.

Read about all three WSU Tri-Cities honorees.

Top image: Tanya Cheeke

By Meagan Murray for WSU Tri-Cities