The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has awarded the distinction of fellow to 486 members, including nine members of the MIT community.
Fellows are recognized for their efforts toward advancing science applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. New fellows will be presented with an official certificate and the society's gold and blue (representing science and engineering, respectively) rosette pin on Feb. 14 at the association's annual meeting in Chicago. The following MIT individuals are new AAAS fellows:
Marcia Bartusiak, visiting professor of science writing, was cited for "exceptionally clear communication of the rich history, the intricate nature, and the modern practice of astronomy to the public at large."
Arup Chakraborty, the Robert T. Haslam (1911) Professor of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biological Engineering, was named a fellow for "pioneering theoretical contributions to understanding of important, complex problems in polymer-metal interfaces, zeolite catalysis, random heteropolymers as recognition elements, and immunology."
Charles W. Forsberg, a research scientist in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, was named for "outstanding contributions to the development of innovative nuclear reactors and waste management systems, and to advanced low-carbon integration of nuclear, renewable, and fossil technologies."
John D.E. Gabrieli, the Grover Hermann Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and Cognitive Neuroscience, was cited for "penetrating analyses of the nature of human memory, its neural substrates, its development, and its problems."
Martha L. Gray, the Edward Hood Taplin Professor of Medical and Electrical Engineering, was named a fellow for "pioneering contributions to advancing orthopedic science, and for distinguished leadership in the design and implementation of scholarly programs that integrate science, engineering, medicine and business."
Philip S. Khoury, associate provost for the arts and the Ford International Professor of History, was named for "promoting the expansion and independent integrity of the social sciences at MIT as well as important collaborations with science and engineering."
Mriganka Sur, the Paul E. Newton (1965) Professor of Neuroscience and head of the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, was cited for "distinguished contributions to understanding the organization, development and plasticity of the cerebral cortex of the brain, and for leadership in neuroscience at MIT."
Li-Huei Tsai, a professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and member of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, was cited for "outstanding contributions to the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches that attenuate learning and memory impairments."
Graham C. Walker, the American Cancer Society Professor of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, was named for "characterizing DNA repair mechanisms and DNA damage responses, elucidating Rhizobium functions necessary for symbiosis, and discovering a missing step in vitamin B12 biosynthesis."
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on January 14, 2009 (download PDF).
