ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Sandhya Rao receives UPitt Distinguished Teaching Award
She was recognized for innovative astronomy teaching and dedicated student mentorship.
-
1759163132.png)
Anushka Pathak - Wed, 25, Mar 2026
- 17:09 EDT
- 18
Sandhya Rao / Courtesy: LinkedIn
Indian American research professor Sandhya Rao has received the University of Pittsburgh’s 2026 Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
Rao was among sixteen Pitt faculty members who were honored this year across categories of public service, research, and teaching. Each awardee receives a US $2,000 cash prize and a US $3,000 grant to support their professional work, the university said.
ALSO READ: Vidya Bommanapally wins 2026 Nebraska Tech Award
According to the award citation, Rao was recognized for her “continuous and creative innovation of astronomy instruction with particular emphasis and impact on bringing students into the discipline through general education pathways” and for providing “in‑depth individual advising to undergraduate and graduate student researchers.”
Her research focuses on the evolution of galaxies as traced by quasar absorption lines, particularly the properties of damped Lyman alpha (DLA) systems, the strongest hydrogen absorption lines observed in quasar spectra.
Rao earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994. She has remained at Pitt since then, advancing through research and instructional roles to her current position as research professor.
The awards will be presented at the Faculty Honors Convocation on March 31.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login