2023 Alumni Award Honorees
Embracing curiosity and disrupting the status quo is the Triton way. UC San Diego alumni carry an agility and open-minded spirit that sets them apart, as they make a difference at home, in their communities and around the globe.
OUTSTANDING ALUMNA
Coleen Frost ’88
Urban Studies and Planning | Muir College
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
Coleen Frost ’88
Considered one of the nation’s leading land use and transportation planning experts, Coleen Frost ’88 is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SANDAG – San Diego’s regional planning agency, responsible for an annual $1 billion budget. Working to reimagine a data-driven future where technology maximizes our transportation system, Frost has built her career around improving quality of life and bringing diverse perspectives together to achieve a greater good. She is actively involved at UC San Diego, mentoring the next generation of planners whenever possible. Watch Frost's Tribute Video
CHANGEMAKER
Ann S. Tsukamoto Weissman ’74
Chemistry | Muir College
Research Scientist and Consultant, Stanford University
Ann S. Tsukamoto Weissman ’74
In 1991, scientist Ann Tsukamoto Weissman ’74 was awarded co-patentee for the breakthrough process to isolate pure human blood stem cells and demonstrated their potential in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer. Her role in developing this technology enabled purification of other tissue stem cells, such as the brain. Her decades-long research in stem cell clinical translation has shown potential treatments for cancers and neurological disorders such as myelin diseases and dry age-related macular degeneration, bringing us ever closer to potential cures. Watch Weissman's Tribute Video
INTERNATIONAL
Scott S. Park, MPIA ’90
Master of Pacific International Affairs | School of Global Policy and Strategy
Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, Doosan Bobcat
Scott S. Park, MPIA ’90
“Work hard, make a difference and stay humble,” is the phrase that Scott Park, MPIA ’90 lives by. Appointed CEO of Doosan Bobcat in 2013, Park is responsible for overseeing all business operations at the company – recognized as a global leader in the construction equipment industry. A philanthropist at heart, he is an active alumnus and has been a member of the International Advisory Board at the School of Global Policy and Strategy since 2015. Watch Park's Tribute Video
EMERGING LEADER
Alfredo Giron Nava, MS ’16, PhD ’19
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy | Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Acting Head, Ocean Action Agenda, World Economic Forum
Alfredo Giron Nava, MS ’16, PhD ’19
Alfredo Giron Nava, MS ’16, PhD ’19 is a leader in sustainable ocean management on a global scale, enhancing the role of policy, cooperation and technology to support ocean sustainability. His work in ocean systems management has taken him to more than 15 countries, leading global projects to reduce illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing impacting seafood supply chains. Nava has also co-led successful collaborations with governments across Southeast Asia to enable blue carbon strategies. Watch Nava's Tribute Video
Start a Nomination
We’re seeking nominations for the True Triton Awards, recognizing exceptional volunteers, and the UC San Diego Alumni Awards, showcasing four different categories of impact. This is your opportunity to recognize exceptional alumni who have made a significant difference.