May 23, 2025
This year, ten PSD instructors and students have been honored for excellence in teaching the next generation of scientists.
PSD graduate students earn Physical Sciences Prizes for Teaching
Seven graduate students have been awarded the Physical Sciences Teaching Prizes for 2024–25: Olabisi Bello (Chemistry), Duarte Maia (Mathematics), Alex Mazursky (Computer Science), Debarun Mukherjee (Geophysical Sciences), Autumn Pearce (Astronomy and Astrophysics), Guangqing Yang (Chemistry), and Roy Zhao (Physics).
The Teaching Prize is based on nominations from students who shared compelling evidence of honorees’ outstanding contributions to their education. Excellence in teaching is a fundamental goal of the University of Chicago, and these nominees exemplified this standard by fostering a love of learning in classes that students were previously fearful of, by expressing belief in their students’ abilities to overcome adversity and challenges, by creatively and persistently ensuring that students were mastering concepts, and by maintaining a level of commitment to their students’ success that goes beyond expectations. Each will receive $1,000 as part of the award.
Learn more about this year’s prize recipients below.
Olabisi Aishat Bello, Chemistry
Olabisi Aishat Bello is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Chemistry, co-advised between Professor Andrew Ferguson and Professor Aaron Esser-Kahn. Her research is centered on using machine learning techniques to accelerate the discovery and optimization of small molecule immunomodulators. She served as a teaching assistant for Organic Chemistry in Autumn 2023 and Winter 2024 and for Honors Organic Chemistry in Spring 2024. Her students appreciate that Olabisi pushes them to truly understand the material rather than “hacking” the class or aiming for the bare minimum.
Duarte Maia, Mathematics
Duarte Maia is a third-year PhD student in Mathematics. His research is focused on mathematical logic and computability theory. In the 2023–24 academic year, he served as a teaching assistant in mathematical logic and in PDE theory, and in 2024–25 he lectured the MATH 130's calculus sequence and is currently teaching a course in linear algebra. His students praise Duarte for his attentiveness and dedication to one-on-one mentoring, including weekend assistance and problem sessions for individual students.
Alex Mazursky, Computer Science
Alex Mazursky received his PhD in Computer Science in Winter 2025. His research focuses on wearable haptic devices for enhancing human-computer interaction. He is continuing his work on engineering haptic devices as an engineer at Apple. He served as a teaching assistant in Inventing, Engineering and Understanding Interactive Devices, as well as Intro to Human-Computer Interaction. Students highlight Alex’s patience and commitment to helping them find answers by working through principles, teaching them to enjoy the process.
Debarun Mukherjee, Geophysical Sciences
Debarun Mukherjee is a second-year PhD student in the Department of the Geophysical Sciences. He conducts research on the isotopic constraints of outer solar system planetesimals. He taught classes in Geochronology and as a lecturer in Global Warming. Debarun is recognized for his careful attention to each student’s success, making sure all had a strong grasp of the material.
Autumn Pearce, Astronomy and Astrophysics
Autumn Pearce is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Her research is focused on the development and application of galaxy formation simulations, with a current emphasis on the circumgalactic medium. In the 2024–25 academic year, she served as a teaching assistant for the course Matter, Energy, Space, and Time. Autumn is commended for her infectious enthusiasm and optimism, as well as her genuine passion for astrophysics and teaching. She creates a learning environment where curiosity thrives.
Guangqing Yang, Chemistry
Guangqing Yang is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on sensing with bioelectronic devices. In the 2024–25 academic year, he served as a teaching assistant in general chemistry. Students commend Guangqing for his accommodating mentorship, including extensive practice exams, prompt sharing of resources, and extended office hours.
Roy Zhao, Physics
Roy Zhao is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Physics and the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics. Having worked on various fronts on the astrophysics of galaxies across the history of our universe, his recent effort focuses on applying artificial intelligence techniques to the study of cosmology. He was a teaching assistant for the Physics for Future Presidents course series in the 2024–25 academic year. With the challenging task of teaching physics to non-STEM students in that sequence, Roy is applauded for his compassion and his clarity in explaining complex notions about the universe.
PSD instructor, graduate student, and undergraduate student win teaching awards from the College
Three PSD community members have been honored with the College’s annual teaching awards. Nominated by the undergraduates they teach, these educators are recognized for their efforts to get students to look beyond the textbook or classroom and discover new ways of learning.
Glenn and Claire Swogger Award
The Glenn and Claire Swogger Award for Exemplary Classroom Teaching recognizes outstanding teachers with College appointments who introduce students to habits of scholarly thinking, inquiry, and engagement in the Core Curriculum—the College’s general education program.
Britni Ratliff, Senior Instructional Professor, Physical Sciences
Britni Ratliff wears several hats at UChicago. She is the director of STEM Pedagogy for the Physical Sciences Division, the associate master for the Physical Sciences Collegiate Division, and a senior instructional professor in the chemistry department.
Among her many contributions, Ratliff’s work developing the UChicago Collaborative Learning model is helping hundreds of students across campus. She teaches a cohort of team leaders who go on to lead courses that enhance academic performance while building student confidence.
“Collaborative learning courses reinforce the Core curriculum principles by creating structured opportunities for students to practice analytical reasoning, problem solving, and reflective thinking,” said Ratliff. Learn more about Ratliff’s teaching experiences.
Wayne C. Booth Prize
The Wayne C. Booth Prize for Excellence in Teaching is awarded annually to University of Chicago graduate students for outstanding instruction of undergraduates.
Hillary Diane Andales, Astronomy & Astrophysics
Astronomy & Astrophysics PhD student Hillary Diane Andales accumulated nearly a decade's worth of experience in science engagement and outreach before she stepped into unfamiliar territory: the classroom.
Her nerves quickly faded as she led two classes (Stars and Galaxies) and served as a teacher's assistant for the Field Course in Astronomy & Astrophysics II.
“I realized that my experience in explaining difficult concepts did come in handy but my experience in connecting with people helped me the most when it came to teaching,” said Andales.
Coming from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a STEM focused school, Andales relished the opportunity to come to UChicago and form those types of connections with students “whose interests spanned a wide range of subjects.” Learn more about Andales’s teaching experiences.
College Undergraduate Student Prize
The College Undergraduate Student Prize in Undergraduate Teaching, awarded for the first time in 2024, recognizes the great work of undergraduate students who serve as teaching assistants.
Polly Ren, Computer Science and Urban Studies
Polly Ren loves what she studies. She went into the introductory computer science sequence with a very limited background in computer science but developed a love for the problem-solving nature of the subject. Now, as a computer science and urban studies major, she uses the love and joy she has found to help students navigate the same sequence as a teaching assistant.
Though she has staffed other courses outside of the department, she has primarily been a TA for the introductory computer science sequence, which allows her to mentor and teach students that are beginning their journey in computer science.
“Since I mostly help with introductory courses, I think the ultimate goal has always been to guide students through how to reason with code or how to break down problems that seem overwhelming into smaller, more manageable logic,” said Ren. Learn more about Ren’s teaching experiences.
Related News
Awards, Faculty, Students, Student Awards, Faculty Awards, Newsclips