Finn Watson BA ’26 is the winner of this year’s Rena J. Ratte Award, the undergraduate college’s highest academic honor. The award recognizes excellence in scholastic, intellectual, and creative achievements, and is presented during the undergraduate Honors Convocation ceremony preceding commencement in May.
We caught up with Watson to learn more about their experiences at Lewis & Clark and their path to the Ratte Award.
Finn Watson (he/they)
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Extracurriculars: Research Assistant in the Binford Lab, ASB Treasurer 2023–26, ASB Senator 2022–23, Data Science TA
Languages: Spanish and German
What was your reaction to winning the Rena Ratte Award?
I was extremely surprised. I had applied and kind of forgot that I had done so until about a week before graduation when the interview invites went out. Even after interviewing, I was so focused on wrapping up my thesis and defense that I put the Rena Ratte out of my mind. When I found out I had won, it felt like it came out of nowhere in a way. In the end, though, it’s a huge honor. I’m so grateful to all of the mentors who have helped me along my journey at L&C.
Why did you choose to attend L&C?
I didn’t know what I wanted in a college until I visited L&C. It was one of the very few small liberal arts colleges that I had applied to among a lot of bigger universities. But when I actually had the chance to visit a few campuses after being accepted, I had a feeling that L&C was where I was meant to be. The research opportunities, the small community, and the beautiful campus all drew me in.
What parts of the L&C experience helped shape your path?
I think the course that changed my way of thinking about and communicating science the most was Molecular Biology with Dr. Sharon Torigoe, associate professor of biology. She really pushes you to think deeply about the concepts in both the lecture and the lab. The way I write is so heavily influenced by her now.
Some of my favorite courses have been those completely outside my major. The classics department especially stands out—Roman Women with Dr. Gordon Kelly, professor with term of classics and program chair, and Roman Thought and Culture with Dr. Daniel Kimmel, visiting assistant professor of religious studies and classics, made me think a lot about how science, history, and culture interact and inspired me to prioritize science communication in much of my work.
My extracurricular activities at L&C were small in number, but I really loved having the chance to get involved with ASB so deeply during my time here. My New Student Orientation leader was the ASB president at the time, and she convinced me to join my first year and I’ve never looked back. I’ve met some amazing people, and I got to work with basically every organization on campus in some way, which let me see the amazing breadth of passion present at L&C.
Who were your faculty mentors?
Dr. Greta Binford, professor of biology, has been my mentor on campus for all four years. Even while on sabbatical this year, she has guided a graduate research fellowship program application, my graduate school applications, and my entire honors thesis. She is committed to her students, her research, and to the world as a whole. Her passion for arachnid biodiversity and basic research is so infectious. I don’t think my future goals would look the same without knowing her. Additionally, Dr. Lindy Gewin, biology department instructor and lab director, taught my first biology course here and has been an amazing resource for my entire time at L&C. Really, I should shout out the entire biology department for building such a welcoming environment for inquiry and exploration. It’s been my home for four years, and I’m so thankful for it.
What do you think makes L&C special?
It’s hard to find a school with strong research opportunities that also encourages its students to explore all of their academic interests the way L&C does. In my time here, I’ve taken classes in music, psychology, classics, and two languages and still had the chance to work in a lab for all four years, designing my own projects and even publishing a paper. I think that L&C produces much stronger graduates because of this openness. No field exists in isolation, and learning as much as you can about the world makes you a better scientist, writer, musician—anything!
What are your post-graduation plans?
I’m sticking around campus for a few months to hopefully finish experiments for another paper or two while also enjoying one last beautiful Portland summer. After that, I’m moving to Madison, Wisconsin, where I’m starting my PhD in Dr. Prashant Sharma’s lab at the University of Wisconsin. I’m sticking with arachnids (thanks, Greta!) and studying the evolution and development of venom and silk glands.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty and Student Awards
