Bloomington Herald-Times
December 10, 2011
Record number of IU faculty named to science society
By Mike Leonard
December 10, 2011
Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie called it the most significant faculty achievement since Elinor Ostrom won the 2009 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.
A record 10 IU faculty members have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. No more than six IU faculty members had previously been inducted into the prestigious academic society in a single year.
Founded in 1848, AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science. Election as an AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.
"Indiana University is delighted that this group of distinguished scholars, representing a full spectrum of disciplines, is being acknowledged by their peers for the quality and diversity of their work and for their sustained record of achievement. Recognition by the AAAS confirms their leadership and impact in their fields, and it reinforces the excellence of Indiana University's faculty," McRobbie said in a prepared statement.
The new fellows, all from the Bloomington campus are listed along with the AAAS citation of merit:
Carl Bauer, professor and chairman, molecular and cellular biochemistry department, "For distinguished contributions in the field of microbial physiology, especially for defining an understanding of the origin, evolution and regulation of photosynthesis genes."
Katy Borner, Victor H. Yngve Professor of Information Science, school of library and information science, "For pioneering work on network science infrastructure development, the scientific analysis, modeling, and visualization of science itself, and curatorship of the international 'Places & Spaces: Mapping Science' exhibit."
David Clemmer, Robert and Marjorie Mann Chair Professor, department of chemistry, "For distinguished contributions to the field of analytical chemistry, particularly the development of ion mobility/mass spectrometry instrumentation and techniques for the analysis of complex biological mixtures."
David L. Dilcher, professor emeritus, department of biology, "For distinguished service to the study of angiosperm paleobotany, particularly the 'abominable mystery' of angiosperm evolutionary origins, and for fostering international cooperation in paleobotany."
Patricia Foster, professor, department of biology, "For distinguished contributions to molecular genetics and microbiology, particularly for determining mechanisms of stress-induced mutagenesis and elucidating the calculation of spontaneous mutation rates."
Peter Ortoleva, distinguished professor, department of chemistry, "For distinguished contributions to the theory of the self-organization of matter across scales from nanometers to kilometers as understood through the basic laws of physics."
Jonathan A. Plucker, professor, school of education, "For distinguished contributions to the science of creativity and the creation of research-supported education policy."
Roderick A. Suthers, professor, school of medicine, "For distinguished contributions to the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying sound production in birds."
Roger Temam, College Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, department of mathematics, "For distinguished contributions to applied mathematics and fluid mechanics and extraordinary mentoring of young mathematicians throughout the world."
Virginia J. Vitzthum, professor, department of anthropology and Kinsey Institute, "For distinguished contributions to anthropology, particularly for evolutionary models of women's reproductive function and for international work bridging science and policy."
