How to Submit a Nomination
Nominations are accepted from current Rice faculty, staff or students. Nominees must have primary appointments in the Wiess School of Natural Sciences. Self-nominations are not accepted. Submit each nomination as a single combined PDF. All nominations are due on February 8 of each year. The citation should be a sentence or short paragraph describing the nominee’s contributions, and it should be suitable for publication in an announcement of award winners. For award nominations that require a CV, 5-pages or fewer is preferred.
If you have any questions, please contact Jasmine Burgess at jb200@rice.edu.
Awards
Exemplary Faculty Award
Conferred on one NSCI faculty member (any rank) each year in recognition of outstanding achievement in research, teaching and service at Rice.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (800-word limit), citation and CV of nominee
2026 Winner: Jeff Hartgerink, Chemistry
For outstanding research on the de novo design of self-assembling collagen-mimetic peptides and multidomain peptide hydrogels, for distinguished excellence in teaching and the holistic mentorship of students, and exemplary leadership and service to the Chemistry Department, the Wiess School of Natural Sciences and Rice University.
Breakthrough Research Award
Conferred on one tenured NSCI faculty member each year in recognition of an outstanding research advance within the past 5 years at Rice.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit), citation and CV of nominee
2026 Winner: Randy Hulet, Physics and Astronomy
For observing spin-charge separation in a one-dimensional atomic gas and for groundbreaking work in the atomic physics of Bose-Einstein condensation and strongly interacting, ultracold Fermi gases.
Rising Star Award
Conferred on one NSCI tenure-track assistant professor each year in recognition of outstanding research achievement at Rice.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit), citation and CV of nominee
2026 Winner: Kory Evans, Biosciences
For transformative scholarship and leadership in ecology and evolutionary biology at Rice and on the national level.
Excellence in Postdoctoral Research Award
Conferred on one NSCI postdoctoral researcher each year in recognition of outstanding research done during the postdoctoral appointment at Rice. (A nominee must be employed at Rice as a postdoctoral researcher at the time of nomination in order to be eligible.)
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit), citation and CV of nominee
2026 Winner: Yu Hu, Chemistry
For his exceptional contributions to chemical biology and synthetic biology.
Award for Outstanding Teaching in the School of Natural Sciences
Conferred on one NSCI faculty member (any rank) each year in recognition of outstanding instruction at Rice.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit), citation and CV of nominee
2026 Winner: Krista Kobylianskii, Chemistry
For outstanding contributions to the general chemistry laboratory curriculum, her dedication to course development, and for seminal mentoring to students toward careers in academia.
Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring Award
Conferred on one NSCI faculty member (any rank) each year in recognition of outstanding undergraduate mentoring or academic advising at Rice.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit), citation and CV of nominee
2026 Winner: Amanda Perkins-Ball, Kinesiology
For unwavering mentoring and advising of undergraduate students, academically, professionally and personally.
Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Award
Conferred on one NSCI faculty member (any rank) each year in recognition of outstanding graduate student mentoring at Rice.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit), citation and CV of nominee
2026 Winner: Chris Leininger, Mathematics
Chris Leininger is a formidable mathematician who has coupled this with a dedication to the graduate program, both as Director of Graduate Studies in the department for many years and as a caring and nurturing PhD advisor to many students, both at Rice, and at his previous institution UIUC.
Excellence in Outreach Award
Conferred on one NSCI faculty or staff member each year in recognition of outstanding outreach and public promotion of STEM.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit), citation and CV of nominee
2026 Winner: Lauren Kapcha, Dean's Office
For outstanding leadership in public outreach and science communication, and for sustained, transformative contributions to promoting STEM through storytelling, education and student engagement.
Outstanding Faculty Service Award
Conferred on one NSCI faculty member (any rank) each year in recognition of outstanding service to the department, school or university.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit), citation and CV of nominee
2026 Winner: Augusto Rodriguez, Kinesiology
For his holistic commitment to the university community and service across multiple areas, including long-term mentorship within the residential system, contributions to high-level academic committees, and driving departmental growth that benefits both students and the broader scientific community.
Ruth Parks Award for Distinguished Service
Conferred on one NSCI staff member each year in recognition of more than 7 years of distinguished service to the department, school or university.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit) and citation
2026 Winner: Pedro Prado, Chemistry
For remarkable contributions to Research Administration and long-term and continued service to Rice and the Chemistry Department.
Outstanding Staff Service Award
Conferred on one NSCI staff member in their first 7 years at Rice in recognition of exemplary service to the department, school or university.
Nomination materials: nomination letter (600-word limit) and citation
2026 Winner: Dominique Oumar, Dean's Office
For exceptional staff service through innovative leadership in human resources and academic administration, sustained dedication to faculty, staff, and graduate student success, and transformative contributions to the operational excellence of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.
2025-26 Committee
Doug Natelson, Physics and Astronomy, Chair
Matthew Baring, Physics and Astronomy
David Damanik, Mathematics
Cassandra Diep, Kinesiology
Tolya Kolomeisky, Chemistry
Cin-Ty Lee, Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences
Joff Silberg, Biosciences