Rajan Kumar Selected for New Materials Educator Award
The award recognizes exceptional early-career professionals in materials science and engineering who demonstrate early teaching excellence and instructional innovation.
Northwestern Engineering’s Rajan Kumar has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 New Materials Educator Award by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Materials Division.
Kumar, assistant professor of instruction at the McCormick School of Engineering’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering since 2023, won the award that recognizes exceptional early-career professionals in materials science and engineering who demonstrate early teaching excellence and instructional innovation. Kumar focuses on teaching students to think like engineers and how authentic and simulated learning experiences shape student identity and self-perception.
“I've been lucky to have worked with so many incredible students who are curious about how materials work and passionate about tackling engineering challenges,” Kumar said. “I truly enjoy helping them succeed and belong in MSE and I'm honored to receive this award.”
Among Kumar’s contributions is the creation of MatSci 195: Materials for the Energy Solution. A hands-on class teaching students how to tackle global energy challenges, the course introduces students to modern and emerging energy materials such as lithium-ion batteries and perovskite solar cells.
“Raj Kumar has rapidly emerged as one of the most innovative and impactful educators at Northwestern University and the broader materials science and engineering community. His dedication to and care for students foster a learning community in which all have the opportunity to thrive, and his insightful efforts to transform our educational programs will benefit students for years to come,” said Mark Hersam, Walter P. Murphy Professor and Chair of Materials Science and Engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering. “As one of the brightest young materials educators worldwide, Raj is an ideal choice for the ASEE New Materials Educator Award.”
The ASEE is a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology. The ASEE develops policies and programs that enhance professional opportunities for engineering faculty members and promotes activities that support increased student enrollments in engineering and engineering technology colleges and universities.