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UCLA Graduate Student Dima Vaido Receives Distinguished Teaching Award for His Role in CNSI Education Programs
By Nicole Wilkins
For UCLA graduate student Dzmitry “Dima” Vaido, teaching is more than explaining scientific concepts – it’s about helping students discover connections, ask questions, and see themselves as part of science.
That approach has earned Vaido one of UCLA’s highest honors for graduate student educators: the Distinguished Teaching Award for Teaching Assistants. Selected from an exceptional pool of nominees, Vaido was one of only six teaching assistants recognized campuswide for excellence in teaching and student engagement.
A sixth-year doctoral student whose research focuses on biophysics of hearing, Vaido has become a familiar face in classrooms, teacher workshops, and outreach programs through his work with the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI).
Originally from Minsk, Belarus, Vaido first came to the United States to study physics at Louisiana State University after leaving medical school to pursue a career in science. He arrived at UCLA in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and joined the CNSI Nanoscience Education Program later that year.
“It was a difficult time for everyone,” Vaido said. “The outreach program seemed like a wonderful opportunity to stay involved in science and connect with people when so much of the world was shut down.”
That decision would become a defining part of his graduate school experience.
Today, Vaido plays a leading role in CNSI’s education programs, helping develop curriculum, mentor students, train teachers, and create hands-on learning experiences that bring science into classrooms throughout Southern California.
“Dima has been a dedicated and integral member of the CNSI Nanoscience Education Program, demonstrating extraordinary commitment, creativity, and leadership,” said Sarah Tolbert, CNSI Faculty Director of Education and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Materials Science & Engineering. “His ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging learning experiences has had a profound impact on teachers, students, and fellow volunteers alike.”
Beyond the classroom, Vaido has helped support CNSI’s teacher-training workshops, which have served more than 650 teachers from over 240 schools across 60 public school districts. More than 70 percent of participants come from Title I schools, extending the program’s impact to thousands of students each year.
One of Vaido’s most innovative contributions is a workshop called Swimming at the Nanoscale, which introduces students to the physics behind how microorganisms move through fluids. Drawing on concepts from physics, chemistry, and biology, the activity demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of modern science.
“As a physicist, I wanted to bring something from my own field into the program,” Vaido said. “The workshop connects biology, chemistry, and physics in a way that helps students see how these subjects work together rather than separately.”
The experiment debuted this year and is expected to reach approximately 1,000 students.
That interdisciplinary mindset also shapes Vaido’s research. He applies quantitative tools developed in physics to better understand biological systems involved in hearing.
“I think some of the biggest scientific breakthroughs come from people working across disciplines,” he said. “We’re seeing tools from physics being used to solve problems in biology, chemistry, and medicine, and that’s incredibly exciting.”
In addition to his outreach efforts, Vaido has served as a teaching assistant for Chem 8, UCLA’s nanoscience and entrepreneurship course for high school students, where he has helped strengthen curriculum and create a more inclusive learning environment. He also serves as a TA consultant in UCLA’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, mentoring new graduate student instructors and promoting evidence-based teaching practices.
For Vaido, teaching is an essential part of scientific training.
“Teaching helps you learn how to communicate,” he said. “Whether you’re explaining a concept to students, applying for funding, or talking about your research to the public, those communication skills matter. Teaching isn’t separate from being a scientist—it’s part of becoming a better scientist.”
Now, as a recipient of UCLA’s Distinguished Teaching Award, Vaido joins a select group of educators whose work is inspiring the next generation of scientists – one classroom, workshop, and conversation at a time.