An Indian-American biotechnologist has received University of Houston's highest teaching award for her sustained and significant contributions to education.
Rupa Iyer, an Indian-American Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Houston's College of Technology, has been presented the "Distinguished Leadership in Teaching Excellence Award".
It is the highest award given in teaching and the only one given in this category by the varsity.
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"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 told PTI.
The award is given to a previous recipient of the varsity's 'Teaching Excellence Award', presented to a person who has ten or more years of teaching experience and has made sustained and significant contributions to education.
As the founding director of the biotechnology programme in the College of Technology since its inception, Iyer is well regarded for her strong commitment towards impacting students who benefit from her efforts to incorporate hands-on experience with problem-based learning and lectures.
The students receive lecture format training on diverse biotechnology systems and develop presentation skills, enabling them to thrive in the workplace.
Iyer has been part of the college since 2005 as a credentialed associate professor was named Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in 2014.
Her research is in the area of environmental biotechnology with applications in bioremediation.
She has received many recognition, awards and grants for her outstanding contributions.
Iyer was recommended for the Fulbright Specialist Roster in 2015 after receiving the endorsement from the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education's Council for International Exchange of Scholars.
The 7th Congressional district in New Jersey is home to
inventor Thomas Alva Edison. Four years ago, Indian-American Upendra Chivukula had tried his luck from the same seat and had lost to Lance by more than 50,000 votes.
The Indian-American community constitutes just one per cent of the total voters and Asian- American account for 10 per cent.
Jacob, who became a US citizen at the age of 21, has been involved in social work from his childhood. As a school student, he saved his pocket money to send it to the Missionaries of Charities for the poor people.
St Mother Teresa sent him a thank you note in 1994.
"I am an Indian-American. I see myself as an Indian soul with and American heart," Jacob said, adding that he is not Bobby Jindal, the former Louisiana governor who after winning elections distanced himself from the community.
Even in his speech and campaign events, he proudly talks about Kochi airport in Kerala which is now fully solar.
If elected, Jacob said he wants to focus on infrastructure development.
After attending Union County College in New Jersey, Jacob continued undergraduate studies in Sociology at Kean University. Later, Peter studied at Washington University in St Louis, earning a Master of Social Work from the top-ranked program in the nation.
During his undergraduate and graduate years, Peter was a student activist and leader. He worked with the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW), the Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA), and the International Institute.
Through these and other community organisations, he helped fight the ongoing scourges of child abuse, human trafficking, and disastrous Iraq war.
