Congratulations to Kevin Gao, who recently received the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence! Gao is currently in his fourth year in the PhD program in Chinese Language and Literature. His research is focused on the environmental history of modern China, science fiction, and queer memory and temporality in the Greater Sinophone sphere. Kevin has taught in courses ranging from introductory Chinese language to Chinese Civilization and Buddhist Traditions, and has brought exceptional professionalism and dedication to every facet of his teaching. As one of his mentors notes: Kevin "commands a classroom comfortably and effectively…. Kevin treats his students with respect and care, something visibly appreciated by the students who all speak comfortably throughout the section…. Kevin has demonstrated outstanding ability as a teacher with a promising future.”