Ali Piran

Ali Piran, Stephen F. Austin State University lecturer of physics and astronomy, was recently awarded the inaugural Mary Beth Monroe Award for Distinguished Service to the Texas Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers. "I am honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award," Piran said. "This award is very important to me because Mary Beth Monroe was a true mentor to many students and colleagues and an educator who had a passion for teaching physics. She always reminded us of the importance of physics education in our society, had a great attitude and always looked at the glass as half-full. I hope that one day I achieve a small portion of what she has accomplished." Piran has been the Society of Physics Students adviser at SFA for more than 20 years. SFA SPS has won 16 national Outstanding Chapter Awards under his guidance. His primary teaching assignments at SFA have been teaching introductory physics.