Meenakshi Narain Mentoring Award
This award recognizes exceptional mentoring in particle physics. The mentoring recognized could be in the form of teaching, research, or science-related activities, and the award is intended to acknowledge current and career-spanning achievements.
The award carries with it a prize of $5,000, a certificate citing the contribution made by the recipient, plus travel expenses to attend the APS April Meeting, where the prize is bestowed. It will be presented annually.
Rules and eligibility
Nominations are open to all scientists who have had exceptional impact as mentors of particle physics scientists and students. Nominations will be considered for three review cycles, provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.
Process and selection
The nomination package must include:
- A cover letter.
- The nominee’s CV or biosketch.
- A list of past and current mentees.
- At least three, but not more than four, seconding letters.
Before starting a new nomination or updating a continuing nomination, please review the funding and recognition nomination guidelines. You may then submit your nomination materials using your myAPS account credentials through the APS nomination system.
2025 Selection Committee members are still being determined.
Establishment and support
This award is named after Professor Meenakshi Narain and is dedicated to recognizing outstanding mentors, particularly those who have supported early-career scientists from underrepresented groups.
The APS Division of Particles and Fields (DPF) established a unit level mentoring award in 2015. Thanks to the generosity of the Heising-Simons Foundation, Narain’s family, friends, and the DPF community, the award was fully endowed and made a Society Level Award in 2024.
Recent recipients
Robert M. Harris
2024 recipient
For implementing and leading a postdoctoral mentorship program that has greatly enriched the scholarly and professional lives of junior scientists at Fermilab.
The membership of APS is diverse and global, and the nominees and recipients of APS Honors should reflect that diversity so that all are recognized for their impact on our community. Nominations of members belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in physics, such as women, LGBT+ scientists, scientists who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), disabled scientists, scientists from institutions with limited resources, and scientists from outside the United States, are especially encouraged.
Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.