MSU's Rai earns national teaching award from USDA
Author: Meg Henderson
Aswathy Rai (Photo by David Ammon)
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture are recognizing a respected Mississippi State faculty member with a 2025 Excellence in College and University Teaching Award for Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Associate Teaching Professor Aswathy Rai, in the College of Agriculture and Life Science's Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, is one of six nationwide recipients awarded for their innovative teaching methods and service to students. She is receiving a $2,000 stipend for advancing classroom instruction.
"For me, teaching is an ongoing effort to equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the global challenges they will face," Rai said. "This recognition reflects the strong institutional support for advancing teaching and learning and my commitment to creating high-impact learning experiences, whether that is guiding students through their biochemistry courses or leading them across the world to study healthcare systems. My goal is to empower students with both the scientific expertise and the cultural intelligence necessary to lead."
Rai teaches courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, health policy and One Health, which stresses the interconnectivity of human, animal and environmental health. She advises 170 CALS premedical students with a holistic approach, emphasizing the importance of pursuing educational opportunities outside the classroom. Rai founded the MSU student chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and serves as a regional director. She also helped establish a university forensics club and MSU's Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students chapter and advises three other student organizations.
"To receive the USDA Regional Teaching Award is a distinct honor that underscores my commitment to the MSU land-grant mission of transforming lives through education," she said. "This award is not just a personal milestone; it is a catalyst to continue innovating curriculum and advocating for the next generation of scientists and leaders in agriculture and life sciences. I look forward to continuing this work as we prepare our students to make a global impact."
The awards will be presented at the 2026 APLU Annual Meeting this fall in San Antonio, Texas.
"Dr. Rai is a world-class educator and advisor," said Daniel Peterson, professor and head of the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion. "We are very fortunate to have her in our corner."
To learn more about the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, visit www.cals.msstate.edu. The department is online at www.bchnhp.msstate.edu.
Date: 2026-02-10
