Baskin Engineering Professor Rebecca DuBois receives Sung-Mo Steve Kang DEI Award

The Baskin School of Engineering recognized Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Rebecca DuBois as the 2024-25 recipient of the Sung-Mo Steve Kang DEI Award. This annual award recognizes a faculty member who is making meaningful strides toward more inclusive teaching and education at Baskin Engineering. DuBois’ deeply personal approach to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion is positively impacting the landscape of engineering education and research at UC Santa Cruz.

Since establishing the DuBois Lab, she has cultivated one of the school’s most open and inclusive research environments, with nearly half of her 30 former and current lab members coming from communities historically underrepresented in STEM. Her intentional efforts to nurture talent and include aspiring scientists and engineers from all backgrounds—particularly first-generation college students—has made a huge impact on the inclusive research environment of her lab. By implementing flexible accommodations, providing one-on-one mentorship, and fostering a growth mindset, DuBois creates a supportive learning community where students thrive.

DuBois’s impact extends beyond traditional academic support. She pioneered an innovative approach to including first-generation students’ families in lab activities, bridging the gap between academic and home life. Her commitment to supporting students who balance familial responsibilities alongside academic pursuits is also reflected in her work with international students facing hardship. DuBois shows a willingness to adapt research schedules to accommodate real-life circumstances while maintaining the highest standards of excellence. As a passionate advocate for women in STEM, she has built a predominantly female research team, demonstrating through action that engineering is a field where all can succeed.

Through these initiatives and more, DuBois embodies the spirit of innovation and inclusion that the Sung-Mo Steve Kang DEI Award celebrates, showing that authentic mentorship and compassionate leadership can transform engineering education.