UTEP Professor to be Inducted into UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers

Last Updated on February 26, 2020 at 12:00 AM

Originally published February 26, 2020

By UC Staff

UTEP Communications

Martine C. Ceberio, Ph.D., professor of computer science at The University of Texas at El Paso, will be inducted as a fellow into The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers during a ceremony Friday, April 3, 2020.

Martine C. Ceberio, Ph.D., professor of computer science at The University of Texas at El Paso, will be inducted as a fellow into The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers during a ceremony Friday, April 3, 2020. Photo: UTEP Communications

Ceberio will be recognized as one of the most exceptional educators in the UT System’s eight academic institutions. The academy serves as an advocacy group dedicated to fostering classroom innovation, promoting interdisciplinary educational perspectives, and catalyzing the sharing of best practices across campuses.

“I am so pleased that the Academy of Distinguished Teachers will benefit from Dr. Ceberio’s experience, expertise and enthusiasm for teaching,” said John S. Wiebe, Ph.D., UTEP’s interim provost. “This selection validates once more what we, at UTEP, have long known about her reputation for pedagogical excellence.”

Ceberio’s research focuses on reliable decision-making under uncertainty and global optimization under constraints. During the past few years, her work has focused on designing algorithms for the simulation and prediction of large dynamical systems under uncertain conditions, and she has applied her findings to mechanical engineering problems such as flapping wings and drilling problems.

“It is a fantastic feeling to be working at an institution, and more broadly a system, that is committed to its students’ success, as exemplified by the very existence of the academy,” Ceberio said. “I am honored and humbled to be joining its inspiring members. I look forward to contributing to the academy’s mission of advocating for exemplary undergraduate learning across the UT System and giving back to my UTEP colleagues whose support and inspiration have been key to my development as an educator.”

In UTEP’s Computer Science Department, Ceberio chairs the curriculum committee for the early fundamentals undergraduate courses. She has a passion for curriculum design and the development of creative ways to enhance students’ success. She was part of the 2018 Faculty in Residence cohort at Google, where she returned as a mentor of the 2019 cohort.

Ceberio is also devoted to broadening participation in computer science. She regularly hosts female high school students as summer interns in her research laboratory. She founded the Association for Computing Machinery Women student chapter at UTEP in 2012 and advised the group until 2018. From 2011 to 2018, she coordinated the National Center for Women and Information Technology’s annual Aspirations in Computing Competition in El Paso. Since summer 2018, she has led a Google-funded program that introduces undergraduate women to research in computing via a series of events throughout the academic year at UTEP.

Ceberio is one of four individuals from across the state selected to join the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 2020. The review of nominations for the academy was a rigorous process, based on criteria first established in 2012.

“As a past recipient of the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, your induction into the academy further distinguishes you as one of the top educators in the UT System by recognizing your leadership and commitment to improving teaching and developing student learning and success,” said Steven W. Leslie, Ph.D., UT System executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.