The University of Tennessee Alumni Association (UTAA) announced its 2026 faculty award winners. UT Martin’s Dr. Samon Sargolzaei, associate professor of engineering in the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences and director of the Brain Autonomy and Resiliency Lab, and Dr. Austin S. Ferrell, assistant dean in the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences and assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, received the Outstanding Teacher Award.
The UTAA recognizes more than 30 faculty members system-wide each year who demonstrate a passion for teaching, commitment to public service and dedication to each campus and its students. An awards ceremony will be held in conjunction with UTAA on Friday, June 5, in Knoxville.
Sargolzaei earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Florida International University in 2015. His doctoral research, conducted in collaboration with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Baptist Hospital, focused on the role of brain networks in the diagnosis and evaluation of neurological disorders, including epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. He also holds a Master of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Miami, where his NIH-supported thesis examined functional brain networks associated with essential tremor disease subtypes.
During his tenure at UT Martin, Sargolzaei has emphasized real-world, hands-on learning through applied research and design-driven experiences that prepare students for industry, graduate study and interdisciplinary collaboration. His mentorship integrates engineering design, prototyping and research and development across areas such as autonomous systems, robotics, electric drivetrains, human–machine interfaces, extended reality and resilient infrastructure.
Ferrell holds a Doctor of Education in instruction and curriculum leadership from the University of Memphis and multiple graduate degrees in education, leadership and public administration, and is currently working toward a Master of Science in Social Work degree. His professional work focuses on educator preparation, instructional leadership, student persistence and mathematics teaching and learning across K–12 and higher education contexts.
In addition to his faculty role, Ferrell serves as the director of the Call Me MiSTER® Program at UT Martin, where he oversees program operations, student advising, fundraising and partnerships that support the preparation of future educators. His research examines mathematics identity, rural education, teacher preparation and autoethnography as a methodological approach.
For more information, contact Holly Seng, assistant director of communications and engagement for the Office of Advancement, at hseng@utm.edu.
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).
PHOTO: Dr. Austin S. Ferrell (left), assistant dean in the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences and assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, and Dr. Saman Sargolzaei, associate professor of engineering in the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences and director of the Brain Autonomy and Resiliency Lab, received the 2026 UTAA Outstanding Teacher Awards for UT Martin.
