The 10 new inductees bring the total number of USF-based AAAS fellows to 92.
Courtesy of USF
By Aubrey Carr
Ten researchers from the University of South Florida are set to be inducted into the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
AAAS, the largest multidisciplinary scientific society, describes the fellowship as a recognition of scientists from all different fields of knowledge.
All of the 10 inductees are from the Tampa campus and bring the total number of AAAS fellows at USF to 92.
“Our faculty is the lifeblood and backbone of the University of South Florida,” USF Interim President Rhea Law said in a press release. “And this distinguished, diverse group of faculty, who represent a wide-range of disciplines, are a big reason why USF is America’s fastest-rising university, driving growth and economic development in the Tampa Bay region and beyond.”
The tradition of AAAS Fellows stretches back to 1874, with individuals elected to the association annually by the AAAS Council.
“AAAS Fellows are a distinguished cadre of scientists, engineers and innovators who have been recognized for their achievements across disciplines, from research, teaching and technology, to administration in academia, industry and government, to excellence in communicating and interpreting science to the public,” AAAS said on its website.
To be eligible for fellowship consideration, individuals must have distinguished achievements in the advancement of science and be a continuous member of AAAS for at least four years.
“AAAS is proud to bestow the honor of AAAS Fellow to some of today’s brightest minds who are integral to forging our path into the future,” said Dr. Sudip Parikh, AAAS chief executive officer and executive publisher of the Science family of journals. “We celebrate these distinguished individuals for their invaluable contributions to the scientific enterprise.”
This year’s USF-based fellowship inductees come from a wide array of backgrounds, ranging from hard sciences, like engineering and chemistry, to softer sciences, like psychology and education.
Ruthmae Sears, an associate professor and associate director for the Coalition for Science Literacy in the College of Education, is honored as USF’s first Black faculty member to be inducted.
Sears will be recognized for her work on the topic of mathematics education and her leadership during a recent study on the impact of structural racism on St. Petersburg residents.
Other inductees include:
- Norma A. Alcantar, Engineering
- Delcie Durham, Engineering
- Valerie J. Harwood, Biological Sciences
- Richard Heller, Medical Sciences
- Chuanmin Hu, Atmospheric and Hydrospheric Sciences
- Randy Larsen, Chemistry
- Stephen R. McNutt, Geology and Geography
- Yashwant Pathak, Pharmeceutical Sciences
- Marilyn Stern, Psychology
