Three Engineers Receive 2018 University Awards for Distinguished Teaching

Paulo E. Arratia, Stephan Zdancewic and Daniel A. Hammer have each been awarded 2018 University Teaching Awards sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania’s Office of the Provost. The three are amongst 12 awardees throughout the University this year. At the April 25, 2018 ceremony, Provost Wendell Pritchett will present the awards and read excerpts of the recommendation letters from faculty and students who nominated the winners.

The Lindback Awards for Distinguished Teaching

The Lindback Awards for Distinguished Teaching at the University of Pennsylvania were established in 1961 with the help of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. The University of Pennsylvania normally gives out eight Lindback awards each year, divided evenly between health-related disciplines and all other departments and divisions.

Paulo E. Arratia
Professor
Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

Paulo Arratia is a professor in the Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics and has taught at Penn since 2005.

Letter writers and course reviewers all agree that Dr. Arratia stands out both as an instructor and a mentor: “During my time in Dr. Arratia’s lab, I not only learned new experimental techniques, but I also learned essential skills needed in the day to day life of an engineer,” says a former student. “His guidance during my time in his lab helped me to be well prepared and excel in explaining my experiments, results and future plans.”

Learn more about Dr. Arratia by visiting his faculty profile.

Stephan Zdancewic
Professor
Computer and Information Science

Dr. Zdancewic is a professor in the Department of Computer and Information Science and has taught at Penn since 2002.

A colleague describes Dr. Zdancewic as “one of the department’s most committed and creative teachers.” As a professor, he continues to be a tireless innovator as evidenced in project-heavy courses such as CIS341: Compilers and CIS120: Programming Languages and Techniques I.

Numerous students describe a teacher who is engaged and present at all times. One said, “Dr. Zdancewic has an easy manner that instantly relaxes students and the empathy to work with them on an individual basis. I admire his ability to educate and inspire his students and as a result, help them achieve their goals.”

Learn more about Dr. Zdancewic by visiting his faculty profile.

Provost’s Award For Distinguished PhD Teaching and Mentoring

The Provost’s Award for Distinguished PhD Teaching and Mentoring has been awarded to two members of Penn’s Standing or Associated Faculty in any school offering the PhD since 2004.

Daniel A. Hammer
Alfred G. and Meta A. Ennis Professor
Bioengineering

Dr. Hammer is the Alfred G. and Meta A. Ennis Professor in the Department of Bioengineering and has taught at Penn since 1996.

A colleague notes that Dr. Hammer excels as both an instructor and mentor, stating, “Dan shows the nearly unique ability of achieving a prolific and distinctive record of Ph.D. education, with graduates achieving tenured positions across a range of high-profile institutions. He consistently excels in recruiting ‘stars of the future’ to his lab for pre-doctoral study”.

A former student adds that “Dr. Hammer’s mentoring style was just what I needed to excel in graduate school, and I am convinced it set me up for a successful academic career to date. The level of scientific freedom and opportunity that he offered his students is why he has been successful in placing a good number of them in academic positions across the country.”

Learn more about Dr. Hammer by visiting his faculty profile.