Arash Mahboobin wins Annual Outstanding Educator Award

Arash Mahboobin comes from a long line of educators — and he’s been (colorfully) following in their footsteps since he arrived at the University of Pittsburgh in 2010. 

The Associate Professor of Bioengineering and rainbow sneaker aficionado recently won the 2024 Swanson School of Engineering Outstanding Educator Award. Awardees are recognized for pedagogical innovations, the mentorship and time they provide to students, and their dedication to the educational mission of their departments and the school. 

“His deep dedication to students is evident both inside and outside of the classroom, and he goes above and beyond to facilitate the needs of the students so that they can be successful,” said Mary Besterfield-Sacre, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Swanson School of Engineering..

Mahboobin has served as the Department of Bioengineering’s Associate Chair for Undergraduate Education since 2018. He has taught large classes with phenomenal OMET scores and frequently meets with bioengineering undergraduates to keep them on track toward graduation. Along with teaching and advising, Mahboobin played a key role in the school’s 2023 ABET accreditation and also continues to contribute to many departmental administrative needs. 

“It's a nice stamp of approval, and when I look at the list of past individuals who have won this, it’s wonderful," Mahboobin said. “Having an impact on students and colleagues is indeed a reward and privilege in itself.”