Mukund Sibi, University Distinguished Professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has been recognized with the NDSU Excellence in Mentoring Award. He will be honored during the Celebration of Faculty Excellence, scheduled for Thursday, May 10, at 3 p.m. the Memorial Union Plains room.

The award was established with the NDSU Development Foundation to recognize outstanding mentoring by faculty. The mentoring can be a combination of activities involving undergraduate or graduate students, faculty and other individuals.

Sibi was nominated by Jane Schuh, professor of microbiology, associate director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and director of NDSU’s cellular and molecular biology program. She called Sibi a “powerful voice for positive change,” noting his mentoring skills working with both students and faculty colleagues. 

She praised his teaching, research and service expertise that has helped train generations of scientists and students during his nearly 30-year career at NDSU. According to Schuh, Sibi has trained 150 undergraduate students, 10 high school students, 60 postdocs and 65 graduate students.

“His students are well trained and have a good understanding of both the ethics and hard work that are required for research science,” Schuh said. “This fact has been well recognized by colleagues at other institutions who are eager to bring Muk’s students into their labs.”

Schuh said there is no one more deserving for the mentoring award than Sibi. 

“Mukund Sibi exemplifies so much that is good in science and humanity; he is an inspiration who will continue to inspire students and faculty members,” she said. 

Sibi earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Bangalore University, India; and his doctorate at City University of New York. He had postdoctoral fellow positions at Dartmouth College, University of Waterloo and Florida State University.

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