Six University researchers have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. AAAS awards the rank of fellow — the highest honor it confers — to researchers who have made scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science.
Elliot L. Elson, Ph.D., the Alumni Endowed Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, was honored for developing theoretical and experimental approaches to the use of novel fluorescent methods, for studying viscoelastic properties of cells, and for the investigation of tissue mechanics.
Timothy M. Lohman, Ph.D., the Marvin A. Brennecke Professor of Biological Chemistry and professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, was recognized for fundamental studies of the thermodynamics and kinetic mechanisms of interaction between protein and DNA, particularly SSB and helicase-unwinding of the DNA double helix.
Jane E. Phillips-Conroy, Ph.D., professor of anatomy and neurobiology and professor of anthropology in Arts & Sciences, was honored for distinguished contributions to the study of primate social behavior and species diversity, especially in wild anubis, hamadryas and hybrid baboon populations in Africa.
Herbert W. Virgin, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology and immunology and of molecular microbiology, was recognized for his distinguished and numerous contributions to the understanding of viral pathogenesis, latency, immunity and immune evasion of gamma herpes viruses and for identification of new pathogens.
From Arts & Sciences, Gayle J. Fritz, Ph.D., professor of anthropology, was recognized for her studies on the domestication of plants by native North Americans and the spread of maize (corn) in agricultural systems.
Eric J. Richards, Ph.D., associate professor of biology in Arts & Sciences, was honored for his fundamental studies of cytosine methylation and the role of DNA methylation on the epigenetic stability of the eukaryotic genome.