Upstate Medical University’s Nicholas Brennan has been selected as this year’s recipient of the prestigious SUNY ACT Annual Award for Excellence and Student Initiative Scholarship.

The scholarship rewards SUNY students for excellence in their academic performance and extraordinary commitment to their campus and community. A total of six awards are given annually; two at doctoral/university centers; two at university colleges; one at agricultural and tech colleges, and one to a student in the teacher education field.

Entries are by institutional nomination only. Brennan is one of two winners in the doctoral/university center category.

Brennan, a native of Long Island, is in his seventh year of Upstate’s MD/PhD program. The award, given by the University of New York Association of College Council and College Trustees, is a testament to Brennan’s outstanding academic performance and extraordinary commitment to his campus and community. 

Brennan maintains a 4.0 GPA in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program while taking on numerous leadership roles that reflect his commitment to enhancing the student experience.

He served as vice president of his medical school class, president of the Campus Activities Governing Board (CAGB) and is currently serving his fourth term as president of Upstate Student Government (USG). He has been involved with USG for seven years, during which he hosted numerous campus-wide town hall meetings to identify student needs and collaborated with administrators and fellow student leaders to develop and implement practical solutions.

He helped implement a grocery store shuttle service to combat food insecurity among students and played a key role in establishing a program that has allocated over $25,000 in conference travel funding for students. Additionally, he supported several student-led initiatives, including one led by medical students to provide affordable and accessible family planning resources on campus.

Brennan also serves on several university committees, including Admissions, the Student Learning Outcomes Committee, and the Advisory Committee on Campus Safety. At the state level, he was elected to the SUNY Student Assembly Executive Committee and chaired the Doctoral Granting Institutions Graduate Caucus for two years.

“My involvement in these activities underscores my deep commitment to addressing and supporting the specific needs of my campus community,” Brennan said. “My passion for making a positive impact on my campus and community has always driven me to pursue various initiatives. Before enrolling in the MD/PhD program, I was committed to service and leadership as an undergraduate student. The opportunity to contribute to the well-being of my peers and the larger community has been incredibly fulfilling, and it's this sense of fulfilment that motivates me to stay engaged.” Brennan was recently honored with the 2024 Emerging Leader Award from the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association.

The SUNY ACT scholarship carries a $1,000 award for the recipient as well as a $250 donation to a charity of the winner’s choice. Brennan’s research is focused on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in disease and normative aging. As such, he selected the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) to receive the additional award.

Brennan’s research has also earned him recognition. He was awarded the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA), a prestigious grant funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) designed to support the training of physician-scientists.

Brennan said that balancing extracurricular commitments with the rigorous demands of medical and graduate school has been challenging but has also taught him invaluable lessons in time management and prioritization.

“I've learned to be very intentional with my time, ensuring that I dedicate sufficient energy to both my studies and my extracurricular activities,” he said. “The key for me has been to stay organized and set clear goals. I also rely on the support of my mentors, peers, and family. Ultimately, my involvement outside of academics enriches my education by providing me with diverse perspectives and experiences that I believe will make me a more compassionate and well-rounded physician-scientist.”

Brennan said he is honored and grateful to have been selected for this award.

“It’s truly humbling to be recognized alongside such an inspiring group of nominees who are all committed to academic excellence and making a positive impact on their campus community,” he said. “This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support and guidance of the Upstate Medical University Council, as well as the administration, faculty, and staff. This award serves as a reminder of the collective effort and the strong community that surrounds me, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence as I continue my education here at Upstate.”

Brennan received his award at the 2024 ACT annual conference in Saratoga Springs last month.