Twelve Rutgers Professors Named by the American Association for the Advancement of Science as AAAS Fellows
The American Association for the Advancement of Science elected twelve Rutgers professors this year, the largest group of AAAS fellows ever selected from the university. Two of the new AAAS fellows are from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School: Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald-Bocarsly, Professor of Pathology Laboratory Medicine and Dr. William C. Gause, Director, Center for Immunity and Inflammation and Senior Associate Dean for Research .
The scientists, engineers, and innovators selected for this honor are recognized for their achievements across disciplines ranging from research, teaching and technology, to administration in academia, industry and government, to excellence in communicating, and interpreting science to the public. The AAAS is the world's largest multidisciplinary scientific society and is also a leading publisher of cutting-edge research.
"I applaud Rutgers' newest fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science – 12 eminent scientists who exemplify the excellence of Rutgers faculty and whose scholarly achievements, as recognized by their peers, fulfill the AAAS mission to advance science, engineering and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people," Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway said.
Meet the Rutgers Newest AAAS Fellows
- Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, Professor of neuroscience and cell biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Honored for his distinguished contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly neurodevelopmental disabilities, advocacy, and communicating and interpreting science to the public. Emanual DiCicco-Bloom is a pediatrician who specializes in child neurology and developmental disorders, researching brain cell growth and how abnormalities and environmental exposures may contribute to developmental disorders, including autism.
- Ying Fan Reinfelder, Professor of earth and planetary sciences, School of Arts and Sciences Rutgers-New Brunswick
Honored for her distinguished contributions and leadership in continental-scale hydrology, particularly on the interactions between groundwater and near-surface systems, including vegetation and surface water. Ying Fan Reinfelder has been researching the importance of water in shaping global environmental change for the past two decades.
- Cecile A. Feldman, Dean and Professor, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Honored for her distinguished contributions to the field of dentistry, particularly for her leadership and advocacy in addressing contemporary issues facing dental education, research and delivery of oral health care. Cecile A. Feldman's work as a researcher and public health advocate transcends the dental profession.
- Patricia Fitzgerald-Bocarsly, Provost, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences-Newark and Professor of Pathology Laboratory Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Honored for her distinguished science leadership and contributions to the field of biology, notably in the area of innate immune responses to human viral infections with a concentration on the basic biology of dendritic cells. Patricia Fitzgerald-Bocarsly has dedicated her career to studying viral immunology, including HIV in the aging population, and has recently shifted her focus to the COVID-19 pandemic to better understand how the immune system responds to viral infections.
- William C. Gause, Director, Center for Immunity and Inflammation and Senior Associate Dean for Research at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Honored for his distinguished contributions to the field of molecular and translational immunology, with a particular focus on the initiation and function of type 2 immunity during disease infection. William C. Gause is an internationally recognized scientist whose work has revealed critical aspects of allergic inflammation and the role this response plays in wound healing, providing the basis for the development of more targeted and improved therapeutics.
- Alan Goldman, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, School of Arts and Sciences Rutgers-New Brunswick
Honored for his distinguished contributions to the field of catalysis by transition-metal complexes, particularly the elucidation of reaction mechanisms and the development of catalysts for hydrocarbon functionalization. Alan Goldman's research group is one of the leading laboratories in the world developing new catalysts that could advance the growth of green energy solutions, while explaining the underlying chemical principles.
- Max Häggblom, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Rutgers-New Brunswick
Honored for distinguished contributions to understanding both the fundamental and application components of microbial biotransformations of pollutants, especially chlorinated aromatic compounds and metalloids. Max Häggblom is a renowned research scientist and educator with a large body of microbial ecology and environmental biotechnology research that has expanded our understanding of how the biodegradation of environmental pollutants, such as dioxins and PCBs, impact our planet.
- Julie Lockwood, Professor and Chair, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers-New Brunswick
Honored for distinguished contributions to the field of ecology and conservation biology, particularly for studies of biological invasions and causes of biotic homogenization. Julie Lockwood is a leader in the study of how invasive species impact the ecological integrity of natural ecosystems. Her research explores the fate of biodiversity in the wake of globalization and the human domination of Earth, which has led to widespread species invasion and extinction that have reshaped the planet's biodiversity.
- Margaret Marsh, University Professor of History, Rutgers-Camden and Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research
Honored for her distinguished contributions to the field of social sciences, particularly the history of medicine, academic leadership and communicating and interpreting science to the public. Margaret Marsh, a historian of medicine who specializes in issues of gender, has been chronicling the history of infertility, reproductive medicine and technology for three decades.
- Tara Matise, Professor and Chair, Department of Genetics, School of Arts and Sciences Rutgers-New Brunswick
Honored for her distinguished contributions to developing human genetic maps and for critical efforts to bring genetics to diverse human populations. Tara Matise is devoted to increasing the understanding of how genes impact human health. Today, Matise is considered a leader in large-scale genetic study management, facilitating collaborative research that allows scientists to collect and analyze large amounts of information more quickly.
- Andrew Singson, Professor of Genetics, School of Arts and Sciences, Waksman Institute of Microbiology Rutgers-New Brunswick
Honored for his distinguished contributions to the field of fertilization, particularly for discovery and characterization of genes required for fertilization in Caenorhabditis Elegans. Andrew Singson is working to uncover the molecular and genetic mechanisms of fertilization and provide insight into how sperm and egg develop, interact and initiate embryonic development through his research into reproduction in tiny roundworms.
- Renping Zhou, William and Myrle Garbe Chair in Cancer and Leukemia Research, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Honored for his distinguished contributions to the field of molecular signaling in organizing biological structures and function, particularly as related to protein interactions that regulate the growth of neuronal processes. Renping Zhou's research is dedicated to finding a way to restore lost brain function in people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases including ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Alzheimer's disease and other diseases associated with aging.
The work of these newest AAAS fellows demonstrates the breadth of ongoing research at the university that is changing the world and making a difference in people's lives. They are living examples of what excellence looks like at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the larger Rutgers community.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science elected 12 Rutgers professors this year, the largest group ever selected from the university. Two are from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School: Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald-Bocarsly and Dr. William C. Gause.
