Four faculty members have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. The highest honor awarded by AAAS, the rank of fellow is bestowed upon members by their peers in recognition of scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.
The WUSTL honorees are:
• Eugene M. Johnson, Ph.D., professor of neurology and of molecular biology and pharmacology at the School of Medicine, was elected to the Section on Neuroscience for pioneering work in studies of the nature and function of neurotrophic factors and for service to the neuroscience community. Johnson was cited for distinguished contributions to the identification and characterization of neurotrophic factors, factors that nourish and maintain nervous system cells and could provide new avenues for treatment of a range of neurodegenerative diseases.
• H. Mark Johnston, Ph.D., professor of genetics at the medical school, was elected to the Section on Biological Sciences for outstanding contributions to the genetics and genomics of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in particular the regulation of sugar utilization. Johnston was cited for distinguished contributions to the complete genetic structure of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and for using that organism as a model to understand how cells sense the nutrient glucose.
• William B. McKinnon, Ph.D., professor of earth and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences, was elected to the Section on Astronomy for distinguished contributions to planetary science, especially for research on the physics and geology of planetary satellites and other small bodies in the solar system. McKinnon’s research focuses on the icy satellites of the outer solar system and the physics of impact cratering, concentrating on the origin, structure, evolution and bombardment history of outer planet satellites and Pluto.
• Alan L. Schwartz, Ph.D., M.D., the Harriet B. Spoehrer Professor and head of the Department of Pediatrics, professor of molecular biology and pharmacology, and pediatrician-in-chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, was elected to the Section on Medical Sciences for distinguished contributions to medical science, the education of physician-scientists and advancing the field of child health. Schwartz’s laboratory focuses on the cell and molecular biology of intracellular protein targeting and degradation.
The association will present 449 new fellows with an official certificate and a gold and blue (representing science and engineering, respectively) rosette pin Feb. 17 at the association’s annual meeting in San Francisco.
This year’s fellows also were announced in the Nov. 24 edition of the journal Science, published by AAAS.
An international non-profit organization, AAAS is dedicated to advancing science around the world by serving as an educator, leader, spokesperson and professional association. Founded in 1848, the association includes some 262 affiliated societies and academies of science serving 10 million individuals.