Professor Azad Madni presents at the IISE Annual Conference in Arlington, Texas.
Azad M. Madni’s influence as an educator extends across multiple domains. He holds the role of Northrop Grumman Foundation Fred O’Green Chair in Engineering, Executive Director of USC Viterbi‘s Systems Architecting and Engineering Program, and University Professor at USC Viterbi‘s Department of Astronautical Engineering, Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering, Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering and the USC Rossier School of Education.
In recognition of his achievements, Professor Madni is the first USC faculty member to be awarded the prestigious Albert Holzman Distinguished Educator Award by the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE).
The Albert Holzman Distinguished Educator Award recognizes outstanding educators who have contributed significantly to the industrial and systems engineering profession through excellence in teaching, innovative curriculum development, impactful research and administrative leadership. By honoring Professor Madni, IISE recognizes his contribution to shaping the next generation of technological leaders through the advancement of innovative pedagogical methodologies and transdisciplinary frameworks.
“This award is a testament to Professor Madni’s transcendent impact on industrial and systems engineering education,” said Yannis C. Yortsos, Dean of USC Viterbi. “He has consistently broken down traditional academic silos, introducing forward-thinking concepts that ensure our students are uniquely equipped to handle the staggering complexities of modern aerospace, defense and cyber-physical domains. Being the first USC professor to win this award underscores his peerless standing in the global academic community.”
Professor Madni is a leader in the field of transdisciplinary engineering. He is known for developing the educational framework, TRASEE™, which applies storytelling, experiential learning, digital twinning, AI and rigorous scientific modeling to teach complex technical concepts. His “Engineering +” initiatives, a signature program of USC Viterbi, have redefined systemic curricula by integrating technical depth with cultural, political, socioeconomic and ethical dimensions.
Professor Madni is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), an International Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), Fellow of IISE, Life Fellow of IEEE and INCOSE, and a fellow of many more professional science and engineering societies. In addition to receiving the IISE Albert G. Holzman Distinguished Educator Award, his career has been marked by a litany of honors including the NAE Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education, the IEEE Simon Ramo Medal, the ASME Spirit of St. Louis Medal, as well as the highest awards from ASEE, AIAA, and INCOSE.
The formal presentation of the Holzman Distinguished Educator Award took place at the IISE Annual Conference and Expo in Arlington, Texas, on 18 May, 2026.
Published on June 9th, 2026
Last updated on June 10th, 2026