An Indian American researcher at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute has been recognized by the university for her outstanding ability to translate complex scientific theories into accessible classroom lessons.
Isha Gore, a third-year graduate student, was named one of 10 recipients of the annual Graduate Teaching Award. The honor, which carries a $1,000 prize, was presented during the university’s Tribute to Teaching Reception at Palmer House.
The selection committee, comprised of academic deans and staff from the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, evaluated nominees from across all academic disciplines.
Gore was selected for her significant contributions to designing and instructing a new undergraduate course titled “Neuropharmacology.” Faculty members described her role as running a “course within a course,” noting her instrumental help in building the curriculum from the ground up.
Read: Indian American senior Jaisnav Rajesh wins Spirit of Princeton Award (May 18, 2026)
Elizabeth Gould, the director of undergraduate studies in neuroscience and primary instructor for the class, offered high praise for Gore’s instructional methodology.
Gould remarked that across her three decades of university teaching, Gore’s dedication, clarity, and compassionate approach to knowledge transfer placed her at the very top tier of instructors.
Undergraduate students enrolled in the rigorous course noted that Gore possessed a rare ability to simplify dense academic materials. Multiple students reported that a single explanation from Gore was frequently enough to make highly technical scientific research papers fully understandable.
The awards coincide with the 125th anniversary of the Princeton Graduate School. Rodney Priestley, dean of the Graduate School, addressed the recipients at the ceremony, emphasizing that effective teaching represents a shared transformation between the instructor and the student.
Read: 2 Indian American CMU professors win prestigious national research honors (May 13, 2026)
Deputy Dean Lisa Schreyer added that teaching assistants like Gore play a vital role in helping undergraduates reach their full scholarly potential while simultaneously deepening their own research insights.
Gore’s academic work extends beyond the classroom into advanced laboratory research. Working within the Gould Lab, her scientific focus includes molecular and cellular neuroscience, specifically looking at how environmental changes and social factors influence neural networks and behavior in mammalian models.
By bridging the gap between rigorous laboratory research and empathetic classroom instruction, Gore represents a growing cohort of Indian American scholars shaping the future of medical science education in the United States.