Each year, Sigma Xi — the Scientific Research Honor Society — recognizes exceptional work and achievement in science or engineering research and communication through its select group of annual awards. Past honorees have included such varied individuals as Jane Goodall, Vannevar Bush, Margaret Mead, Sylvia Earle, Claudia Dreifus, Al Gore, Shirley Malcom, Peter Hotez, Freeman Hrabowski, and Cato Laurencin.
Presented annually by the Society’s Prizes and Awards program, each award recognizes a unique achievement, career, or contribution to science and the research enterprise. Recipients are presented with the awards at the International Forum on Research Excellence (IFoRE) where many will be keynote speakers. This year’s conference will be held virtually, November 6–7, 2026.
Pania Newell, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was selected as this year’s recipient of the Moses and Dorothy Passer Award. Established in 2025, the Moses and Dorothy Passer Award recognizes individuals for their contributions to promoting integrity in science.
Newell was recognized “for her outstanding commitment to scientific integrity, open science, research transparency, and ethical mentorship, advancing reproducible and accessible scientific practices across research, education, and public engagement.”
Newell also received the University of Utah’s John G. Francis Prize for Undergraduate Student Mentoring earlier this year.