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Zhifeng Ren, a physics professor at the University of Houston (UH), has been named one of the first-ever recipients of the Big 12 Faculty of the Year Award. Ren, who holds the Paul C.W. Chu and May P. Chern Endowed Chair in Condensed Matter Physics at UH and serves as director of the Texas Center for Superconductivity, expressed his gratitude for this recognition.
“I am honored to have received this inaugural Big 12 award and accept it on behalf of all my colleagues at UH who devote their lives to teaching and research,” Ren said. “We work to give our students cutting-edge opportunities as they journey toward their eventual careers in the hopes that they will leave the world a better place.”
Ren is recognized not only for his role at UH but also as a recipient of UH’s highest faculty honor, the Farfel Award, in 2024. His contributions were acknowledged alongside other distinguished faculty from Big 12 member institutions who excel in innovation and research. The nominees were selected by their respective universities with input from athletics representatives, provosts, and other leaders.
“Professor Ren’s contributions to our students, scientific research and society at large are immeasurable,” said UH President Renu Khator. “I am incredibly proud of his accomplishments, which elevate the University and inspire the next generation of scholars. He truly embodies our spirit of innovation.”
Since joining UH in 2013, Ren has been an influential researcher whose work is widely published internationally. He holds over 65 U.S. patents along with eight foreign patents and is a fellow in several prestigious organizations including the National Academy of Inventors.
The Big 12 established this award to highlight exceptional academic work and provide recognition for educational opportunities available to students within its institutions.
“Academic success is at the core of the mission of the Big 12, and that success is only possible with the help of excellent educators dedicated to advancing education and innovation at our institutions,” said Big 12 Chief Impact Officer Jenn Hunter. “This year’s first-ever recipients highlight the diversity of educational opportunities across the conference.”