Awarded in recognition of a faculty member's mentoring of doctoral students who completed all degree requirements in the last ten years, i.e., from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024. Nominators should focus on the career paths students take and the professor’s placement of students. Faculty advisors in all disciplines are encouraged. Descriptions should focus on the overall influence of the advisor on both their own students and the students in the broader degree program. Successful diversity, equity and inclusion efforts should be highlighted. Please list the students’ post-thesis or post-dissertation positions and other accomplishments. If addressing publications, focus on those that are student-led. Please do not include achievements outside of the specified time period. Of the $3,000 prize, the full amount is for the recipient's personal use.

Faculty who have been at Rice for at least 5 years. Previous winners are only eligible every 7 years. Nominations can be made here. 

2023: Pulickel Ajayan, materials science and nanoengineering; Jeff Hartgerink, chemistry

2024: Richard Lavenda, Shepherd School of Music