His first-year mechanical engineering students in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science use laser cutters to make trusses and blades for model wind turbines. For his innovative approaches, Rios has received the UT System’s highest teaching honor – the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. He is among 12 faculty members representing the UT System’s 14 academic and health institutions chosen for the award this year. Dr. Dani Fadda , professor of practice in mechanical engineering, has seen Rios’ teaching methods up close as a co-instructor for first-year engineering courses. “This is what makes him an outstanding professor.”Jonsson School Chair Dr. Edward White, professor and department head of mechanical engineering, agreed.