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
- 2026
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- Women of Impact Award Nominee
- Favorite Professor, 40th Annual Rice Scholar Athlete Celebration
- Distinguished Faculty Associate, McMurtry College
- 2025
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- George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching
- Outstanding Teaching Award, Weiss School of Natural Sciences
- Career Champion, Center for Career Development
- Distinguished Faculty Associate, McMurtry College
- 2024
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- George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching Top 25 Finalist
- Favorite Professor, Women's Basketball
- Career Champion, Center for Career Development
- Baker's Best Professor
- Distinguished Faculty Associate, McMurtry College
- 2023
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- Outstanding Undergraduate Mentor Award Nominee, Office of Undergraduate Research & Inquiry, Rice University
- Outstanding Faculty Associate, McMurtry College, Rice University
- 2019
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- Baker Best Professor, Baker College, Rice University
- Outstanding Faculty Associate, McMurtry College, Rice University
- 2018
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- Baker Best Professor, Baker College, Rice University
- Distinguished Faculty Associate, McMurtry College, Rice University
- Lovett Favorite Professor, Lovett College, Rice University
Media Coverage
- 2026
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“The Medical Terminology Book on Amazon Live.” [Online textbook promotion video]. Human Kinetics Pub. (March 2026)
“KINE 301: Human Physiology.” [Online interview]. Rice Global. (January 2026)
- 2025
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“How Dr. Laura Kabiri Uses Digital Learning to Enhance Student Engagement.” [Online interview]. Rice University Online. (April 28, 2025)
“Laura Kabiri’s Transformative Use of Teaching Technology.” [Online post]. School of Natural Sciences. Rice News. (February 27, 2025)
- 2024
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“Celebrating Rice University’s digital learning accomplishments and global impact this National Online Learning Day.” [Online post] Insights and Updates. Rice Online Learning. (September 26, 2024)
“12 years of extending Rice’s global reach and reputation through Coursera.” [Online article] Insights and Updates. Rice Online Learning. (August 27, 2024)“Undergraduate teaching grant doubles.” [Print interview] Rice Thresher. Rice University. (January 24, 2024)
- 2023
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"Inside the Hedges: Who is your favorite Rice professor?” [Student interviews] Rice Admissions. Rice University. (October 12, 2023)
- 2022
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"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
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“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
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“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
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“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)