UTEP professor recipient of CUSA Professor of the Year award

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) — A professor from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has received a nationally recognized award.

Jorge Gardea-Torresdey, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UTEP and is also the recipient of the Professor of the Year Award for Conference USA (CUSA), according to a news release by the university.

“Dr. Gardea-Torresdey’s career at UTEP is nothing short of remarkable,” John Wiebe, Ph.D., UTEP provost and vice president for academic affairs, said. “He has earned distinction at the national and international levels, and has transformed the lives of students and scientists for over three decades. He embodies our University’s unwavering commitment to access, excellence and impact.”

The award honors professors from conference member institutions who have demonstrated a record of teaching, research, services and/or scholarly activity within their academic discipline, UTEP said.

The award also comes with a $15,000 reward and special recognition by Conference USA.

Gardea-Torresdey has served as department chair for 17 years at UTEP and help start the doctorate programs in chemistry and environmental science and engineering, according to UTEP. He has also became a leading researcher worldwide in environmental chemistry.

“My impact in my students’ lives is my most cherished accomplishment,” Gardea-Torresdey said. “Through my help and attentive mentoring, I hope I have positively influenced their lives. I am extremely proud and humbled by my students’ success and their accomplishments.”

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