2026 Moses and Dorothy Passer Award
Dr. Pania Newell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah and an elected affiliate of the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute. Prior to joining the University of Utah, she was a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories.
Dr. Newell’s research focuses on understanding multiscale and multiphysics processes in heterogeneous porous materials through the integration of computational and experimental approaches. Her work spans mechanics, materials science, and scientific computing, addressing both fundamental questions and practical challenges in complex natural and engineered systems. She is also interested in the development and application of advanced computational methods, including the integration of quantum and classical computing approaches to enable new capabilities in scientific discovery and engineering analysis.
In addition to her research, Dr. Newell is committed to teaching, mentorship, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. She values the communication of science to broad audiences and is a co-founder and co-host of the podcast This Academic Life, which explores the experiences and perspectives of researchers and educators across STEM fields.