Matthew Elliott, a lecturer in mechanical engineering (MECH) at Rice University, is a 2022 recipient of the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching.
Administered by the Center for Teaching Excellence, the award recognizes top Rice instructors as determined by the votes of alumni who have graduated within the past two, three and five years.
“Matt is that rare example of a professor who both understands the deep theory behind a subject and how that theory is applied to practical systems,” said Laura Schaefer, the Burton J. and Ann M. McMurtry Chair in Engineering and chair of MECH.
“He brings in his experience with experimental design from graduate school and post-grad work to give examples to students, most of whom have not yet seen actual systems and components in operation. He describes things in a very approachable way and builds on this to boost the students up to a higher level of understanding.”
Elliott earned his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D., all in MECH, from Texas A&M University in 2000, 2008 and 2014, respectively. He joined the Rice faculty in 2015 after working as an engineer for various companies, including Stingray Offshore Solutions of Houston.
Elliott will formally receive the award at the annual University Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence and held in McMurtry Auditorium, Duncan Hall, on April 26, from 3 to 5 p.m.