Indian-American biotechnologist receives Houston University's highest teaching award honour

Rupa Iyer, an Indian-American biotechnologist, has been awarded with the University of Houston's highest teaching award for her sustained and significant contributions to education.

Iyer is the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Houston's College of Technology, and has recently won the "Distinguished Leadership in Teaching Excellence Award," the highest award given in teaching. She is also the only one given in this category by the varsity.

"My journey from being an international graduate teaching assistant to having the privilege and honour to lead the biotech programme at UH has been extremely humbling and rewarding," Iyer said.

"My students continue to inspire me and motivate me to seek new ideas and strategies to develop and foster their academic success," Iyer said.

The award is only given to someone who has previously won the varsity's 'Teaching Excellence Award', which is presented to a person having ten or more years of teaching experience.

Iyer has been the founding director of the biotechnology programme in the College of Technology ever since its inception, and is known for her strong commitment towards affecting her students and their aptitude towards lessons and lectures.

Iyer has been a part of the college since 2005 as a credentialed associate professor and was named Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in 2014.

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