I’m a physicist and physics education researcher passionate about improving how we teach and learn physics. My path has taken me through a variety of institutions across the United States, from American University in Washington, D.C., to DePaul University in Chicago, IL, Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, MIT in Cambridge, MA and now the University of Colorado Boulder. Each step has shaped how I think about teaching, learning, and the role of physics in society.
My research lives at the intersection of physics and education, and over time, it’s grown to include a range of areas within Physics Education Research (PER). I’ve worked on projects exploring faculty professional development, STEM researchers' transition into Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER), graduate teaching assistant training, and informal physics education. More recently, I’ve been diving into two exciting and emerging areas: the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in physics teaching and learning, and quantum information science education, especially how we can better prepare students for the growing quantum workforce.
At the heart of my work is a drive to support both learners and educators. This includes helping faculty improve their teaching, creating positive learning experiences in physics, and preparing students to navigate a world where technological advancements are increasingly shaping everyday life. My ultimate goal is to empower educators and create opportunities for students to engage deeply with physics to practice the problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed to make meaningful contributions to science and society.
Kansas State University | 2020 - 2023
Dissertation: Development of STEM professionals when integrating education research and physics public engagement into their careers
DePaul University | 2018 - 2020
Master’s Thesis: Interactions of context and teaching practices for physics instructors: a case study
American University | 2014 - 2018
Senior Capstone: Visualization tool for particle acceleration in simulated eruptive flares
University of Colorado Boulder | 2024 - Present
Analyzing quantum industry job roles and the landscape of quantum education to bridge the gap between quantum information science education and industry needs
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 2023 - 2024
Teaching on-campus introductory physics classes in collaboration with a large teaching team, including faculty, instructors, and undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants
Kansas State University, Physics Department | May 2023 - July 2023
Writing research reports and publications
American Physical Society | June 2023 – July 2023
Conducting external evaluation for the Science Trust Project
American Physical Society (APS) | Jan 2022 - Aug 2022
Designing and implementating an interview study to identify APS members’ resource needs in public engagement.
S. El-Adawy, A. R. Piña, B. M. Zwickl, and H. J. Lewandowski, “Insights From Educators on Building a More Cohesive Quantum Information Science and Engineering Education Ecosystem” Physical Review Physics Education Research, 21(2), 020144 (2025).
A. R. Piña, S. El-Adawy, M. Verostek, B. T. Boyle, M. Cacheiro, M. Lawler, N. Pradeep, E. Watts, C. G. West, H. J. Lewandowski, and B. M. Zwickl, “Landscape of Quantum Information Science and Engineering Education: From Physics Foundations to Interdisciplinary Frontiers” Physical Review Physics Education Research, 21(2), 020131 (2025). [Editor’s Suggestion]
S. El-Adawy, I. Liao, V. Lad, M. Abdelhafez, and P. Dourmashkin, “Streamlining Physics Problem Generation To Support Physics Teachers in Using Generative Artificial Intelligence” The Physics Teacher, 62(7), 595–598 (2024).
S. El-Adawy, A. MacDonagh, and M. Abdelhafez, “Exploring Large Language Models as Formative Feedback Tools in Physics,” Physics Education Research Conference, Boston, MA, July 2024. [Notable Paper Award]
El-Adawy, S., Lau, A. C., Sayre, E. C., & Fracchiolla, C. (2024). Motivation and needs of informal physics practitioners. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 20(1), 010125.
El-Adawy, S., Hass, C.A.F, Vasserman, E., Kustusch, M.B, Franklin, S. & Sayre, E.C. “A Professional Development for Emerging STEM Education Researchers”, American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (2023), Baltimore, MD.
El-Adawy, S., Vogel, V., & Larkin, T. “Women in the Physics and STEM Pipelines: Recruiting, Retaining, and Returning in the Aftermath of a Global Pandemic”, American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (2022), Minneapolis, MN.
Co-Chairman, JILA Postdoc Group, University of Colorado Boulder,
2024–2025
Co-facilitator & LEAPS Fellow, Leadership and Professional Strategies Program
MIT, Spring 2024
Executive Committee Member, Topical Group on Physics Education Research (GPER)
APS, 2023
Executive Committee Member, Physics Education Research Consortium of Graduate Students
American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), 2021–2022
International Committee Chair, Physics Student Council
Kansas State University, 2021–2022
President, Women in Science Student Organization
American University, 2017–2018
President, International Student Association
American University, 2015–2018
Volunteer, Technology Innovation Hub (mHub)
Malawi, 2017
International Orientation Coordinator, International Student & Scholar Services
American University, 2015–2017
Women Initiative Executive Board Member, Student Government
American University, Washington D.C., 2015–2016
