2025 Joseph A. Johnson Award Goes to Morgan State University Assistant Professor Stacyann Nelson

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2025 — AIP and the National Society of Black Physicists congratulate Stacyann Nelson as the winner of the 2025 Joseph A. Johnson Award for Excellence. Christian Aganze is also being recognized with an Honorable Mention.

The Johnson Award, now in its sixth year, is given jointly by AIP and NSBP to recognize early-career scientists who demonstrate scientific ingenuity and passion for mentorship and service — the core values of NSBP founder Joseph A. Johnson.

“Dr. Nelson’s research at Morgan State University can be used to understand the universe moments after its formation with the big bang,” said Michael Moloney, CEO of AIP. “She is an active role model, and she exemplifies how to ensure students have access and opportunity in the physical sciences.”

AIP and NSBP are honoring Nelson for the study of gluon dynamics in gold nuclei to understand fundamental properties of hadronic matter at high energies and for instilling the confidence in her students to aspire to become leaders in physics research.

“NSBP congratulates Dr. Nelson on this award for her excellence in experimental nuclear physics research as well as her impactful mentorship efforts at Morgan State and within the larger physics community,” said Stephen Roberson, president of NSBP. “Every year, NSBP is proud to celebrate early-career physicists and their achievements in research and mentorship. This year’s award also recognizes Dr. Aganze for his dark matter research and community outreach in astrophysics.”

Get to Know the 2025 Joseph A. Johnson Award Winner and Honorable Mention

Stacyann Nelson, Assistant Professor at Morgan State University

Nelson credits her mother as her first mentor. She was a single mom who worked hard to teach her daughter the values of resilience, dedication, and the commitment to always lend a helping hand.

“The quiet strength and determination of my mother, particularly in putting my education above all, has inspired me to always do my best and to help others in whatever way I possibly can,” said Nelson.

Nelson strives to embody those values throughout her life and career. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in both physics and chemistry with a minor in education from the University of Technology, Jamaica, then went on to complete a Master of Philosophy in physics from University of the West Indies. Nelson earned her doctorate in physics from Florida A&M University, and her current research on the rare phenomena of gluon dynamics in gold nuclei can uncover mysteries of universe moments after the big bang and help scientists learn how matter behaves when pushed to its very limits.

Nelson’s mentorship of others began as a student helping her friends learn to read in Jamaica. She also spent time preparing students for the Caribbean Examination Council high school exams, opening her home as a study space and providing study plans and test-taking tips.

“[My home] became a place where mentorship was lived daily, fostering growth both inside and outside the classroom, emphasizing that [students] are not alone on their journey,” Nelson said.

Now as a professor, she can mentor her own students in her classes and through her work as the MSU Society of Physics Students chapter advisor.

“My goal is to help students become more confident, independent, and active members of our academic community while emphasizing academic growth and personal development,” Nelson said.

Nelson currently serves on the NSBP Program Committee, and she is a member of the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers, both AIP Member Societies. In 2024, Nelson’s department also received a TEAM-UP Together EXCEL Grant.

“I am honored to have been selected for this prestigious award that connects me to Dr. Johnson’s scientific contributions and his passion and commitment to nurturing future generations of physicists, especially within the African American community,” said Nelson. “This award is a reminder that success is not only our personal achievements, but also those we uplift along the way.”

Christian Aganze, Stanford Science Fellow at Stanford University

Christian Aganze is a postdoctoral fellow at the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, an independent, joint laboratory of Stanford University and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. He is a “galactic archeologist” studying ancient stars to understand the structure, formation, composition, and evolution of the galaxy. Before receiving his doctorate in physics from the University California, San Diego, he completed a Bachelor of Science in physics from Morehouse College.

“The NSBP has been an important part of my journey as I develop my own scientific identity since I was an undergraduate student at Morehouse. My passion for science and society drives me to continue seeking ways to bring science to a broad audience while I’m working on cutting edge research,” said Aganze. “Long-term, I’d like to continue mentoring students [and] participate in outreach activities and professional societies. I am very honored to be a finalist on this NSBP award.”

The award and honorable mention will be presented at the 2025 National Society of Black Physicists Annual Conference on Nov. 22, in San Jose, California.

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About the Joseph A. Johnson III Award for Excellence

Joseph A. Johnson III, of Florida A&M University, was a pioneering and renowned experimental physicist, mentor to many Black doctoral students, and a founder of the National Society of Black Physicists. In honor of his iconic legacy, the American Institute of Physics and NSBP have partnered to recognize an NSBP experimental physicist who exemplifies Johnson’s ingenuity as a scientist and passion for mentorship and service. This honor comes with a $5,000 award along with an invitation to give physics department colloquia at partner universities.

About NBSP

Founded in 1977 at Morgan State University, the mission of the National Society of Black Physicists is to promote the professional well-being of African American physicists and physics students within the international scientific community and within society at large. The organization seeks to develop and support efforts to increase opportunities for African Americans in physics and to increase their numbers and visibility of their scientific work. It also seeks to develop activities and programs that highlight and enhance the benefits of the scientific contributions that African American physicists provide for the international community. The society seeks to raise the general knowledge and appreciation of physics in the African American community.

About AIP

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, AIP is a federation that advances the success of our Member Societies and an institute that engages in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences. The mission of AIP (American Institute of Physics) is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity.

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