Ekaterina Mirzakulova, Ph.D., a Chemistry instructor at Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC), has been named the 2025 recipient of the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. She was selected as CGTC’s Instructor of the Year after a multistep interview process following her nomination by peers for this prestigious award.  

A native of Uzbekistan, Mirzakulova, is affectionately known as Dr. Kate amongst her students and peers. She began her academic journey when she learned that a professor from the United States was recruiting students from a neighboring country for a graduate program at Bowling Green State University. Soon after, she used her family's savings to buy a plane ticket to meet the professor, who administered a chemistry test. Several months later, she received the exciting news that she had been selected for the Ph.D. program in Chemistry. Her parents contributed their retirement savings to help fund her trip to the U.S., marking the beginning of her American journey.  

After earning her Ph.D. in Photochemical Sciences from Bowling Green State University in 2013, Dr. Mirzakulova worked as a postdoctoral associate at North Carolina State University. She also held teaching positions at various institutions, including Columbus State University, before joining CGTC as a chemistry instructor.  

"Joining CGTC has been the best decision I've ever made," she exclaimed. "From day one, I knew I belonged here and could make a difference in my students' lives. CGTC has been incredibly supportive during some of my most challenging times, for which I am forever grateful. I am happy to be part of a college that offers opportunities for everyone who walks through our doors."