(Princeton—February 22, 2007) Princeton University has named High Tech science teacher Dr. Nina Lavlinskaia as a finalist for its Outstanding New Jersey Secondary School Teacher Awards, announced Principal Karol Brancato.

Princeton's Program in Teacher Preparation administers the awards in which each teacher up for an award receives $5,000 and $2,500 for his or her school library. A committee consisting of two Princeton professors and two external education professionals selected Dr. Lavlinskaia and nine other finalists from an application pool of 80 science teachers.

No stranger to professional accolades, Dr. Lavlinskaia has been the recipient of various distinguished honors and awards, most recently the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement Science Courses.  She has authored and co-authored several articles published in national scientific journals.  In addition, Dr. Lavlinskaia has trained many highly successful High Tech graduates who have earned distinctive wins at many competitions, including the prestigious International Science Fair.

Dr. Lavlinskaia received her education in Russia, having graduated from Voronej State University where she specialized in Biophysics.  She both moved to Moscow with her husband, Dr. Dmitri Lavlinski, who also teaches science at High Tech, to undertake graduate study.  Dr. Lavlinskaia received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, studying nitrogen metabolism. 

Princeton's Program in Teacher Preparation administers the awards in which each teacher up for an award receives $5,000 and $2,500 for his or her school library. A committee consisting of two Princeton professors and two external education professionals selected the finalists. The nation’s famed Ivy League school, also the fourth oldest institution of higher learning in the country, has honored secondary school teachers since 1959.  The University received an anonymous gift from an alumnus to establish the program.