Thompson Rivers University (TRU) microbiologist Dr. Naowarat (Ann) Cheeptham has been named the 2025 recipient of the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education’s OWL Award for Excellence in Public Education, a distinction recognizing her outstanding contributions to students across School District 73 and beyond.

Presented annually by a selection committee of educators and community members, the OWL Award honours individuals who go above and beyond to inspire students. Cheeptham’s efforts span more than 40 visits to rural and urban schools in the region, collaborating with teachers and mentoring future scientists. She helped develop Aboriginal Summer Science Camp (now Indigenous Student Science Camp), a TRU program engaging Indigenous youth in hands-on learning. Bringing microbiology to life through food and art, Cheeptham has built partnerships with Science World and The Big Little Science Centre, and volunteers as a mentor in Science World’s Scientists and Innovators in Schools program.

A professor in TRU’s Department of Biological Sciences, Ann is widely recognized for her work in cave microbiology and drug discovery. In 2022, she became the university’s first 3M National Teaching Fellow — one of the most prestigious awards for educators in Canada.

The OWL award was presented on June 16 at the Henry Grube Education Centre in Kamloops.