UC Davis associate professor Shahid Siddique has been named the recipient of the 2026 Excellence-in-Teaching Award from the international Society of Nematologists, according to an announcement on Apr. 6. Siddique will be honored at the society’s 65th annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, scheduled for July.
The recognition highlights Siddique’s commitment to student learning and his contributions to teaching in nematology. The award acknowledges educators who excel in classroom instruction or develop innovative teaching materials for nematology.
Joanna Chiu, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, said Siddique is “a valued member of our faculty and a team player, the lead faculty advisor for the undergraduate entomology major, and a member of our department’s executive committee…He fosters a learning environment of curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking, three factors important in teaching science. In doing so, he encourages and empowers his students to succeed, and champions their accomplishments.”
Siddique supervises six PhD students as well as postdoctoral researchers and undergraduates through programs such as the UC Davis Research Scholars Program in Insect Biology. Since joining UC Davis from Germany’s University of Bonn in March 2019, he has redesigned two key courses—NEM 100 and NEM 201—to include active learning methods. Amanda Hodson said that “more hands-on laboratory sections where students sample soil, extract their own nematodes and learn to identify them under the microscope” have made classes more engaging.
Valerie Williamson praised “Dr. Siddique’s ability to connect fundamental biological concepts with environmental context and real-world agricultural relevance…across both undergraduate and graduate courses,” describing his approach as characterized by clarity, enthusiasm, and commitment to student learning.
Student feedback describes him as kind with clear communication skills; doctoral candidate Veronica Casey said that his style “emphasizes student participation…He asks students to share their thoughts about such topics as biotechnology [and] agricultural turning points.” Alison Blundell noted that he engages students by including facts about California agriculture relevant to course material.
Johan Desaeger said: “It is truly a pleasure to recognize such a respected nematology colleague with this honor!”
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), which supports research like Siddique’s work at UC Davis through public contributions according to its official website, promotes sustainable practices across California communities. The organization manages Cooperative Extension services throughout all counties according to its official website and operates nine research centers representing diverse ecosystems according to its official website. It also conducts over 33,000 educational events each year involving more than 18,000 volunteers according to its official website. Through these efforts—including workshops connecting university research with community needs—UC ANR delivers science-based information on agriculture and natural resources according to its official website.
This is only the second time a UC Davis nematologist has received this award since it was established by SON in Mesilla Park in 1962.
