Michigan State University Professor Morteza Mahmoudi has been named the recipient of the 2026 Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS.

The award recognizes Mahmoudi, an associate professor in the Department of Radiology and the Precision Health Program at the MSU College of Human Medicine, for his efforts to combat academic bullying and harassment and to empower scientists facing mistreatment in academic workplaces.

“This award is a victory for everyone working to end bullying and harassment in academia,” Mahmoudi said. “I am proud to see our advocacy for a safer, more inclusive scientific community being recognized. We and many other people working in the field are proving that scientific progress cannot happen without scientific responsibility.”