Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The College of Science is proud to celebrate Ipsita Lahiri and Dr. Claudia Gonzalez-Villarreal from Biological Sciences for receiving Core Faculty Supporter of the Year Awards presented by University Accreditation at the 7th Annual Institutional Effectiveness Awards. 
The College of Science is proud to celebrate Ipsita Lahiri and Dr. Claudia Gonzalez-Villarreal from Biological Sciences for receiving Core Faculty Supporter of the Year Awards presented by University Accreditation at the 7th Annual Institutional Effectiveness Awards.
 
"It means a great deal to be recognized by the faculty I work with and support every day,” said Ipsita, who received her M.S. at UNT and has worked as an Instructional Laboratory Supervisor and Lab Instructor for thirteen years and counting. “I truly enjoy collaborating with our team and contributing to the success of our students and programs.”
 
Ipsita Lahiri and Dr. Claudia Gonzalez-Villarreal “It is an honor to receive this recognition, and I am deeply grateful,” said Dr. Gonzalez-Villarreal, who has been working as an Instructional Laboratory Supervisor since 2018. “I do not have much more to add except to acknowledge that my accomplishments are built upon the support, guidance, and contributions of many others. In Sir Isaac Newton’s famous quote, ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulder of giants.’”
 
In their roles at UNT, Ipsita and Dr. Gonzalez-Villarreal support student learning by designing and running lab courses, coordinating students and teaching assistants, assisting with administrative processes, and helping ensure that day-to-day activities run smoothly. 
 
“Much of our work involves problem-solving, collaboration, and providing support that allows students to learn,” said Ipsita. “I love to work with students while helping support the academic mission of the college. Being part of a team that is dedicated to student success and innovation in education is incredibly rewarding.”
 
Dr. Gonzalez-Villarreal said that one of the most rewarding aspects of her role is the opportunity to support and collaborate with graduate student TAs, faculty, and fellow laboratory supervisors.
 
“I especially value mentoring graduate students and helping them develop effective scientific teaching strategies and sound instructional practices,” she said. “My position allows me to combine my passion for biology, biology education research, and academic administration. By equipping graduate students with strong teaching skills, I aim to contribute to successful laboratory experiences that ultimately support undergraduate student learning, achievement, and retention in the sciences.”
 
Dr. Gonzalez-Villarreal recently supported CORE faculty through the Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Program for Scientific Teaching (GSTEP-ST). In collaboration with Dr. Ruthanne Thompson, she investigated the impact of GSTEP-ST on student retention in the Biology for Science Majors laboratories.
 
“Our findings indicated a statistically significant difference in retention among first-year biology undergraduate students whose teaching assistants were trained through GSTEP-ST compared to those whose TAs had not received the training,” she explained. “Our data further suggest that GSTEP-ST may contribute to the retention of female biology students at the freshman, sophomore, and junior levels, as well as to improvements in first-year cumulative GPA, which is an important indicator of student retention.”
 
Dr. Gonzalez-Villarreal said that receiving the CORE Faculty Supporter of the Year Award will always remind her of the work they accomplished in the Biology for Science Majors laboratories. “My goal is to ensure that our in-person and online laboratories are accessible, engaging, and up-to-date for undergraduate students, particularly those who are not science majors,” she said.
 

UNT's Institutional Effectiveness Awards and UNT Staff Appreciation Awards recognize faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to advance UNT’s mission and enhance student outcomes. We are proud of all our College of Science awardees: