Five University of Maryland faculty researchers were named American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows on November, 24, 2020.
AAAS Fellows are elected each year by their peers serving on the Council of AAAS, the organization’s member-run governing body. The title recognizes important contributions to STEM disciplines, including pioneering research, leadership within a given field, teaching and mentoring, fostering collaborations, and advancing public understanding of science.
The tradition of electing AAAS Fellows began in 1874. Since then, the recognition has gone to thousands of distinguished scientists, including inventor Thomas Edison, elected in 1878, sociologist W. E. B. Du Bois (1905), anthropologist Margaret Mead (1934), computer scientist Grace Hopper (1963), physicist Steven Chu (2000), and astronaut Ellen Ochoa (2012). The 2020 group contains members of each of AAAS’s 24 sections.
The following University of Maryland honorees were recognized by the AAAS this year:
Charles F. Delwiche: For distinguished contributions to molecular systematics, particularly algal evolution and biodiversity.
George Helz: In recognition of outstanding research, leadership, innovation, teaching and service to the community in aqueous and environmental geochemistry.
William K.M. Lau: For profound contributions to the understanding of atmospheric low-frequency oscillations, monsoon dynamics, aerosol-monsoon interaction, and hydroclimate variability and change, through original data analysis and modeling.
Colin Phillips: For outstanding contributions to psycholinguistics, advocacy for Linguistics and Language Science, superior mentorship and teaching, and a vision of what linguistic education should be.
William C. Regli: For his work at the interface between science and government primarily at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
A virtual induction ceremony for the 489 newly elected Fellows will take place on Feb. 13, 2021, the Saturday following the AAAS Annual Meeting.