Rate My Professor Laura Clarke

Clarke has earned widespread recognition for her excellence in teaching introductory-level and major-level physics courses, as well as for integrating experiential learning opportunities into the physics curriculum to prepare students for industry and graduate study. Notable awards include the 2022 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, the 2023 American Physical Society Jonathan F. Reichert and Barbara Wolff-Reichert Award for Excellence in Advanced Laboratory Instruction, the 2018 designation as NC State Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor, the 2015 NC State Outstanding Teacher Award, the 2010 College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences LeRoy and Elva Martin Award for Teaching Excellence, and the 1994 Graduate Teaching Fellow Award from the University of Oregon. She developed a senior design capstone course where students work in self-managed teams to design and build apparatus for sponsors, fostering skills in project management, teamwork, ethics, communication, resiliency, and multicultural competence. Key publications encompass 'Artificial molecular rotors' (2005), 'Morphological, electrical, and mechanical characterization of electrospun nanofiber mats containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes' (2007), 'Edge electrospinning for high throughput production of quality nanofibers' (2011), 'Nanoparticle-based photothermal heating to drive chemical reactions within a solid' (2019), and 'Enhancing ionic conductivity in polymer melts results in smaller diameter electrospun fibers' (2023). Through her leadership, Clarke addresses the needs of diverse students, promoting structural changes to support underrepresented groups in physics.