2025 College of Science Teaching and Advising Award Winners
Each year, the College of Science honors exceptional faculty and advisors who have made significant contributions to advancing the teaching and advising mission of the University of Arizona. With six award categories, we recognize individuals who exemplify excellence in their fields.
This year’s award winners include Dr. Srin Manne, Dr. Andrei Sanov, Dr. Brian LeRoy, Dr. Christy Ball, Dr. Corin Gray, Olivia Mendoza, and Debra Armand-Cade. Their dedication to student success and their continuous pursuit of excellence in teaching and advising deserve celebration.
The College of Science is proud to recognize these outstanding individuals, along with our recent patent recipients, at the annual Teaching, Advising, and Entrepreneurial Award Reception.
Distinguished Career Teaching Award
Srin Manne, Associate Professor, Physics
Dr. Srin Manne received his BS in Physics from University of Arizona in 1983; after a few years working in the private sector, he received his PhD in physics in 1994 from UC Santa Barbara. His research adapted atomic force microscopy to probe interfacial self-assembly, revealing the first direct images of molecular structures and reactions in electrochemistry, crystal growth and micelle formation.
Following postdoctoral work at Technical University of Munich and Princeton University, Srin came back home to U of A physics in 1997 as an assistant professor. Since he was lecturing in the same rooms where he was a student, there was nowhere to hide, and he soon discovered that doing justice to a subject led to caring about the students, preceptors and TA’s who shared the experience with you.
Srin led the drive to create a popular new degree program (BS in Applied Physics), and he currently serves as the director of a new joint degree program in applied physics in partnership with Hebei Institute of Technology in Tianjin, China. His other innovations include a new general education course on the Science of Good Cooking and a physics outreach program for K-12 schools previously run through Flandrau Science Center.
Distinguished Achievement in Science Education Award
Andrei Sanov, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Andrei Sanov is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Physics at the University of Arizona. He earned an M.S. degree in Physics and Applied Mathematics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in 1992 and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Southern California in 1996. After a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado he joined the University of Arizona faculty in 1999.
His research interests include photoelectron imaging spectroscopy and dynamics of molecular and cluster anions. In recognition of his work, he received the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the Beckman Young Investigator Award in the Chemical and Biological Sciences, the Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, and was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society. He held the title of the Weed Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (2011-2014) and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in Chemistry by the University of Southern California (2019). His educational accomplishments were recognized by the Favorite Teacher Award from the UA Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (2005), the College of Science Innovation in Teaching Award (2013), and the Distinguished Career Teaching Award (2016).
Innovation in Teaching Award
Brian LeRoy, Professor, Physics
Dr. Brian LeRoy is a Professor of Physics at the University of Arizona, where he leads a research group at the forefront of quantum materials and nanoscale science. His research focuses on using scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to investigate graphene, moiré superlattices, and other low-dimensional systems, uncovering new forms of correlated electronic behavior and emergent quantum phases.
LeRoy earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University and conducted postdoctoral research at Delft University of Technology, where he developed novel approaches to probing quantum phenomena at the atomic scale. Since joining the University of Arizona faculty, he has served in multiple professional roles, including the Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Department Head and as a mentor to numerous graduate students. His laboratory has become an internationally recognized center for experimental condensed matter physics.
LeRoy is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, an honor recognizing his significant contributions to experimental condensed matter physics. His achievements have also been recognized with a National Science Foundation CAREER Award. Beyond research, he is dedicated to broadening participation in physics and advancing scientific education, ensuring the development of the next generation of scientists.
Distinguished Mentoring Award
Christy Ball, Associate Professor of Practice, Psychology
Dr. Christy Ball is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Psychology, where she has built her career around helping students find their path in science. With 20 years of teaching experience, she mentors undergraduates at every stage, from their first semester on campus to the moment they accept an offer to graduate school.
As Director of Undergraduate Career Development, Faculty Advisor for Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, and Chair of the department’s Professional Development Committee, Christy has designed programs that support students’ professional development and foster their success in scientific careers. In her role as Chair, she also organizes professional development workshops for faculty and research staff.
With a focus on improving retention and graduation rates, Christy co-directs the Undergraduate Psychology Exploration Program (UPEP), which, over the last four years, has paired more than 900 first-year students with peer mentors. Additionally, she developed the Psychology Career Curriculum. This four-course sequence helps students gain research experience, prepare application materials, and confidently pursue graduate study and scientific careers, launching the next generation of scientists.
Distinguished Early-Career Teaching Award
Corin Gray, Assistant Professor of Practice, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Dr. Corin V. Gray is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and a 2024 Center for University Education Scholarship (CUES) Spanning Boundaries Challenge Grantee. Formerly known as Corin V. White, she received her bachelor’s in biology from Spelman College and doctorate studying ecological genomics from Kansas State University.
Her research interests vary, and she has published works in journals such as frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, mBio, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. As a postdoc, she received training in equitable teaching as an IRACDA (Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award) Fellow at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). In her previous position at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), she taught professional development courses to serve undergraduates in Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) programs. Dr. Gray has also worked with faculty to implement course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs).
Her current work (funded by CUES) uses a community of practice framework to study teaching team dynamics and psychosocial elements such as sense of belonging.
Distinguished Advising Award
Olivia Mendoza, Senior Program Coordinator, Chemistry and Biochemistry
I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where my academic journey began at Salpointe Catholic HS. Upon graduation, I attended Pima Community College before transferring to Northern Arizona University, where I earned a BS in Consumer Studies and Marketing. Following 13 years of experience in the retail industry, I realized my true passion for teaching and decided to pursue a career in higher education. This led me to complete an MS in Consumer Studies, and minor in Marketing in 1994, at the U of A. It was during this time that I discovered how deeply I valued being part of the university environment.
Since 1992, I’ve had the privilege of working across various departments at the U of A. My professional journey ultimately led me to Chemistry & Biochemistry (CBC), where I found my true calling—supporting and mentoring students. In my roles as academic advisor, outreach and recruitment coordinator, event coordinator, director of the student ambassador and peer mentor programs, editor for the CBC Alumni magazine, I’ve been fortunate to create opportunities that enhance the experiences of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Through my work, I aim to bring vision to life, merging strategy with action. I approach advising and mentoring with empathy, and I’m honored to contribute to the growth of our vibrant, caring community. I am deeply grateful for the support and connections I’ve found along the way.
Debra Armand-Cade, Assistant Director, Academic and Support Services, Computer Science
I was born and raised in Chicago and completed my undergraduate degree in Human Resources with a minor in Marketing, followed by a master’s in Instructional Design and Technology from Purdue University Northwest and Purdue University Global, respectively. My advising career began at Purdue University Northwest, where I supported students in Computer Information Technology and Computer Graphics Technology within the College of Technology.
The University of Arizona brought me to Tucson in 2019, when I joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as a Senior Academic Advisor. Today, I am the Assistant Director of Academic and Support Services in the Department of Computer Science. The College of Science is a vibrant and supportive community, and I am proud to be part of it.
My ties to advising run deep. Over 20 years in higher education—and 17 years in advising—I have learned that no two student journeys are alike. What keeps me inspired is the chance to listen, guide, and walk alongside students as they define success for themselves. Just as meaningful, I have had the privilege of mentoring fellow advisors, building a culture of support and collaboration that strengthens our impact.
Outside of work, I enjoy knitting, crafting, and spending time with my three grandsons—Xavier, Kenzo, and Ezra—who bring endless joy and keep me happily busy as I watch them grow. Receiving the Distinguished Advising Award is especially meaningful because it reflects the relationships, trust, and shared successes that make this work so rewarding.