Awards and Media

Since joining Rice faculty, Dr. Kabiri’s innovative and engaging teaching, advising, and research efforts have been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally through numerous awards and media outlets. She has a particular affinity for her “Favorite Professor” nominations which allow her the privilege of visiting with her amazing and inspiring students one-on-one.

Awards and Recognition

2024
  • George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching Top 25 Finalist
  • Favorite Professor, Women's Basketball
  • Distinguished Faculty Associate
2023
  • Sophia Meyer Farb Prize for Teaching (Top Five Finalist), Beta of Texas Chapter, Phi Beta Kappa
  • Distinguished Faculty Associate, McMurtry College
  • Career Champion, Center for Career Development
  • Favorite Professor, 37th Annual Rice Scholar Athlete Celebration, Office of Academic Advising, Rice University
  • Baker's Best Professor
  • Will Rice Favorite Professor
  • Favorite Professor, Women's Soccer
  • Favorite Professor, Women's Basketball
  • Career Champion
2022
  • Top 100 Online Courses of 2022 (Medical Terminology I - Coursera), Class Central
  • The Sam Drogo Technology in the Classroom Award, Human Anatomy & Physiology Society
  • Favorite Professor, 36th Annual Rice Scholar Athlete Celebration, Office of Academic Advising, Rice University
  • Will Rice Favorite Professor, Will Rice College, Rice University
  • Baker Best Professor, Baker College, Rice University
  • Career Champion, Center for Career Development, Rice University
2021
  • Will Rice Favorite Professor, Will Rice College, Rice University
  • Favorite Professor, 35th Annual Rice Scholar Athlete Celebration (double nominee), Office of Academic Advising, Rice University
  • Excellence in Academic Advising Award (Divisional Advisor), Office of Academic Advising, Rice University
  • Baker Best Professor, Baker College, Rice University
2020
  • Outstanding Undergraduate Mentor Award Nominee, Office of Undergraduate Research & Inquiry, Rice University
  • Outstanding Faculty Associate, McMurtry College, Rice University
2019
  • Baker Best Professor, Baker College, Rice University
  • Outstanding Faculty Associate, McMurtry College, Rice University
2018
  • Baker Best Professor, Baker College, Rice University
  • Distinguished Faculty Associate, McMurtry College, Rice University 
  • Lovett Favorite Professor, Lovett College, Rice University

Media Coverage

2024

Undergraduate teaching grant doubles.” [Print interview] Rice Thresher. Rice University. (January 24, 2024)

2023

"Inside the Hedges: Who is your favorite Rice professor?” [Student interviews] Rice Admissions. Rice University. (October 12, 2023)

2022

"The 100 Most Popular Free Online Courses (2023 Edition).” [Online article] The Report. Class Central. (December 6, 2022).

Schooling status during pandemic predicted parents’ resilience.” [Print Interview] Rice News. Rice University. (June 9, 2022).

Run not just fun for Rice students, elementary partners.” [Print interview] Rice News. Rice University. (March 21, 2022).

35 Most Popular Online Courses Starting in March 2022.” [Online article] The Report. Class Report. (February 28, 2022).

Relax, marathoners, we’ve got your back.” [Rice News Release] Rice News. Rice University. (January 18, 2022).

2021

Distribution courses to spice up your spring semester schedule.” [Print article] Rice Thresher. Rice University. (November 9, 2021).

People, Papers, and Presentations.” [Rice News Release] Rice News. Rice University. (October 25, 2021).

Busting Myths of the Human Body.” [Radio interview] Catalyst Fusion. Rice University (October 18, 2021).

People, Papers, and Presentations.” [Rice News Release] Rice News. Rice University. (September 20, 2021).

Students, faculty discuss sprinkle days amidst unconventional semester.” [Print interview] Rice Thresher. Rice University. (March 10, 2021).

People, Papers, and Presentations.” [Rice News Release] Rice News. Rice University. (March 1, 2021).

2020

The Zoom Experiment: Faculty share mishaps, adaptations and creative solutions.” [Print interview] The Rice Thresher. Rice University. (April 7, 2020).

Coronavirus and the Classroom: How Rice is tackling the move to remote learning." [Print interview] Rice News. Rice University. (March 23, 2020).

Rice U. experts available to discuss COVID-19’s wide-ranging impact.” [Print interview] Rice News. Rice University. (March 23, 2020).

Is there a gap in fitness between homeschooled and public-school children? An interview with Professor Laura Kabiri.” [Podcast Interview]. CuddlePot Bootcamp Channel. YouTube. (March 4, 2020)

Benefits of Carrying Backpacks.” [Television news coverage] KTRK-HOU (ABC). Houston, Texas. (February 17, 2020).

Heavy backpack? Good for you.” [Print interview] Rice News. Rice University. (February 17, 2020).

2019

Don’t be scared of cutting these bodies.” [Print and video interview] Rice News. Rice University. (October 29, 2019)

Home-schoolers see no added health risks over time.” [Print interview] Rice News. Rice University. (May 23, 2019). Over 60 national and international media hits.

Wiess School of Natural Sciences: Meet our Faculty.” [Print interview] Wiess School of Natural Sciences Webpage. Rice University. (February 6, 2019)

No sweat? That's an issue for home-schooled children.” [Print interview] Rice News. Rice University. (February 1, 2019)