Winter 2026 AAPT Fellows
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Park, Maryland, United States, October 6, 2025—The 2026 AAPT Fellows Awardees have been announced. AAPT Fellows are distinguished physicists, educators, administrators, and communicators who have been recognized for their contributions to the physics education community.
The 2026 Winter Fellows are:
Clausell Mathis, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University where he has a joint appointment with Lyman Briggs College and the Department of Teacher Education, East Lansing, MI.
Citation: "Dr. Clausell Mathis is recognized as an AAPT Fellow for his extraordinary impact on the physics education community. His scholarship has advanced new ways of understanding how students and teachers engage with physics, shaping both classroom practice and national conversations in physics education research. At Michigan State University, he has developed innovative curricula and mentored learners at all levels, including undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars. He has also worked with high school teachers across the country, extending his influence well beyond AAPT’s membership. Through his research, leadership, mentorship, and service, Dr. Mathis has become a role model for effective and meaningful engagement, leaving a lasting mark on AAPT and the broader community of physics educators."
Stamatis Vokos, Professor of Physics at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), where he co-directs the STEM Teacher and Researcher Program.
Citation: “Dr. Stamatis Vokos is recognized as an AAPT Fellow for his exceptional scholarship, leadership, and principled service to the physics education community. Through his groundbreaking research on student learning, extensive contributions to teacher preparation, and decades of leadership within AAPT and beyond, he has profoundly shaped physics education and inspired generations of educators. Equally impactful, Dr. Vokos has distinguished himself as a principled advocate for colleagues, especially those in vulnerable or less visible positions. His wisdom, humility, and dedication to equity have made him a trusted role model and champion for others."
About the Award
The criterion for selection of Fellows is exceptional contribution to AAPT's mission, to enhance the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching. Fellowship is a distinct honor signifying recognition by one's professional peers. Any AAPT member who has maintained an active membership for at least 7 years is eligible for nomination for Fellowship. Nominations are evaluated by the AAPT Awards committee and approved by the AAPT Board of Directors.
About AAPT
AAPT is an international organization for physics educators, physicists, and industrial scientists—with members worldwide. Dedicated to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching, AAPT provides awards, publications, and programs that encourage teaching practical application of physics principles, support continuing professional development, and reward excellence in physics education. AAPT was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in the American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland.
For more information: Contact David Wolfe, Director of Communications, dwolfe@aapt.org, (301)209-3322, (301)209-0845 (Fax)
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