Seven U of M faculty named American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows

Seven faculty at the University of Minnesota have been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Election as an AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers, and recognizes scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.

The newly elected AAAS Fellows from the University of Minnesota represent three university colleges and were chosen in four AAAS sections:

R. Lawrence Edwards, professor, Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Elected in the Section on Geology and Geography for landmark contributions to the field of quaternary geochronology and paleoclimatology, particularly for developing high-precision 230Th dating and calibration of the radiocarbon chronology.

Kenneth Heller, professor, School of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science and Engineering Elected in the Section on Physics for distinguished contributions to the field of experimental high energy physics for investigations of spin dependent strong interactions and neutrinos, and to physics education research in the field of teaching problem-solving in college level introductory physics.

James Kakalios, professor, School of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science and Engineering Elected in the Section on Physics for distinguished contributions to the field of condensed matter and materials physics, particularly for experimental studies of amorphous semiconductors, and for innovative efforts in science communication.

David Kohlstedt, professor, Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Elected in the Section on Geology and Geography for distinguished contributions to the fields of experimental high-temperature rock mechanics and the physical chemistry of Earth materials.

Carston Wagner, Endowed Chair in Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy; director, Chemical Biology Initiative Elected in the Section on Pharmaceutical Sciences for distinguished contributions to the field of drug design and delivery, particularly for the design and development of nucleotide prodrugs and chemically assembled protein nanostructures.

Renata Wentzcovitch, professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, College of Science and Engineering Elected as in the Section on Physics for pioneering contributions to theory and simulations of materials at high pressures and temperatures and applications of interdisciplinary impacts in geophysics.

Robin Wright, associate dean, College of Biological Sciences; and professor, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development Elected in the Section on Biological Sciences for significant contributions in the area of academic administration and education, specifically for contributing to national education discussions, and for research in yeast molecular biology.

The 702 members elected as AAAS Fellows this year will be formally announced in the AAAS News & Notes section of the journal Science on November 30. New Fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a gold and blue (representing science and engineering, respectively) rosette pin on Saturday, February 16 during the 2013 AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston, Mass.

The tradition of AAAS Fellows began in 1874.

Source: University of Minnesota