CTAHR NEWS
29 April 2020

Nurturing the Next Generation

MBBE professor wins UHM mentoring award

Nurturing the Next Generation

Congratulations to Pratibha Nerurkar for winning the 2020 Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research and Creative Work!

The Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering Associate Professor was recognized by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR). She is one of only two UHM faculty each year who are honored with this award for their dedicated and sustained excellence in mentoring undergraduate students in their research and creative work endeavors.

Pratibha regards undergraduate research and mentoring as a “high-impact practice in higher education.” She recognizes that her role as a mentor is not only to transfer knowledge but to empower students to think logically, scientifically, and critically. The foundation of her mentoring principles is built upon trust, mutual respect, compassion, and above all her love for teaching.

“My teaching philosophy is inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said ‘Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education.’” She believes that being a perpetual student of life enables her to be a better teacher.

“Mentoring and nurturing undergraduate students, and providing opportunities to advance their academic and professional careers, is one of my most rewarding activities at UHM,” Pratibha adds. “I am honored by the Faculty Mentoring Award, which recognizes not only mentoring, but also the importance of nurturing our next generation of leaders who will uphold the mission of CTAHR and UHM. But my true award is the trust, respect, appreciation, and lifetime bonds built with my students.”

Pratibha will receive a $500 award from the OVCR/Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). The campus awards ceremony and private reception have been postponed due to COVID-19.

Current Articles


Please edit and save settings.