Samiksha Raut, an associate professor of biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has been awarded the 2023 Four-Year College and University Section Biology Teaching Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers. This national honor recognizes biology teachers who demonstrate innovation and creativity in undergraduate biology teaching.
“I feel extremely grateful, humbled, and honored because this is a national-level award and honestly, I wasn’t expecting to win because it’s fiercely competitive,” Dr. Raut said. “I was surprised, but I am grateful to NABT for recognizing my innovation and to UAB for providing me with the environment that enabled me to explore creative solutions towards elevating traditional undergraduate curriculum.”
Dr. Raut notes the effects of active learning as opposed to heavy book-based course materials as the backbone of her teaching style. She has taken a very intentional step to involve her students with community engagement opportunities, particularly with non-major students, which serves as a testament to her commitment to innovation.
Dr. Raut holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Nagpur University in India. She earned a Ph.D. in environmental toxicology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.