The Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) is proud to announce Dr. Jianbo Gao, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry has been named a recipient of the 2026 Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) Teaching Award of Excellence.
Dr. Gao was nominated numerous times by Brock University Students. Students voiced praise for his strong commitment to student success, passion and enthusiasm for teaching, while going above and beyond for students creating a connection that exceeds students' expectations.
“Dr. Gao has inspired me to not just be great but to become one of the best and do something great with my career. He enhances my learning by encouraging me to ask questions and do my own research." – Anonymous student nomination.
Dr. Gao has voiced a strong and consistent teaching philosophy over his years at Brock University.
“I believe that beyond bridging the gap between textbook knowledge and real-world technologies, I see education as a sincere caring of students and creating all possible opportunities that empower students to grow, to lead, and to innovate. Because our students are not only learners today, but the future leaders and changemakers who will shape our world,” said Dr. Jianbo Gao. "It is truly an honor to receive this teaching award —our students deserve just as much credit, as they inspire me every day.”
Dr. Jianbo Gao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and a Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence at Brock University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, after which he conducted postdoctoral research at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). He subsequently served as a Research Associate in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining Brock University, Dr. Gao was an Assistant Professor at Clemson University (South Carolina, USA), where he led the Ultrafast Photophysics of Quantum Devices research program.
Dr. Gao’s research focuses on renewable energy such as highly efficient and low-cost solar cell development, and novel quantum technology for next generation communications. His work is highly interdisciplinary, operating at the interface of materials physics, materials science and engineering, electrical engineering, and chemistry, with strong emphasis on bridging fundamental ultrafast photophysics to real-world quantum and renewable technologies.
Dr. Gao will receive his award at OUSA’s Partners in Higher Education Dinner (PiHED) Awards Ceremony on April 15, 2026, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.
BUSU extends its congratulations to Dr. Jianbo Gao on this well-deserved honour and recognition.