April 2026: Abhishek Khanal

About Abhishek

I was always curious about nature and how things worked. I loved reading biographies of great scientists. When I was exposed to Carl Sagan and his popular science writing, I began to wonder deeply about the universe and the natural world. As I continued reading, I became fascinated by the concepts and implications of quantum mechanics. This fascination eventually brought me from my home country of Nepal to Clemson University in South Carolina for graduate studies.

I come from a family of educators, so the importance of education was clear to me from the beginning. During graduate school, while working as a teaching assistant, I often thought about how to become an effective instructor. At that time, my advisor encouraged me to explore the Certificate in Science Education program offered to PhD students. I decided to join the program, and I am grateful that I did. I learned so much about educational research methods and the best current practices in postsecondary STEM education, and gained practical experience teaching science and engineering. After completing my PhD and certificate in science education, I began my journey as a physics instructor.

I joined AAPT at the beginning of my teaching career. I take full advantage of the rich resources AAPT offers, from networking opportunities to up to date information on the evolving education landscape. As I grow in my career, I plan to become even more involved in AAPT activities.

I love it when my students connect what they learn to their everyday experiences. I encourage them to explore the vast field of physics, and it excites me when they come up with mini project ideas that showcase their enthusiasm for learning. I am proud to play a small part in educating the next generation, who will shape our ever-changing world.