Lei Tian Named Provost’s Scholar-Teacher of the Year for Innovative Teaching and Research

Boston University engineering professor Lei Tian, a faculty affiliate of the Center for Information and Systems Engineering (CISE), has been named the 2025 Provost’s Scholar-Teacher of the Year. The award, which includes a $5,000 stipend, honors faculty who excel both as researchers and as teachers.

Tian, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, emphasizes making students active participants in their learning. He designs curricula that reflect cutting-edge scientific advances, encouraging open dialogue, clarity, and accessibility in the classroom. His approach is to merge scholarship and teaching so that students develop as lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and innovators.

A key example of this philosophy is his course on computational optical imaging. Rather than holding final exams, Tian assigned real-world projects, such as monocular depth estimation—a technology relevant to robotics and self-driving cars. Students reviewed research papers, broke down the underlying math and optics, explained concepts to peers, and implemented advanced algorithms.

Tian’s teaching complements his pioneering research, which includes a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grant to develop an imaging platform capable of visualizing dynamic biological processes at unprecedented resolution. This work could advance new medical treatments and drug discovery.

Students describe him as approachable, dedicated, and deeply committed to ensuring their understanding. One praised him for fostering “an environment where questions are encouraged and learning flourishes.”

Tian will be honored at a private dinner on September 15 alongside Elizabeth Co, the 2025 Gitner Award winner.