SCIENCE

Six researchers from LSU's College of Science have been honored with the rank of "Fellow" by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS, the world's largest scientific organization.

Having six AAAS Fellows in one year ranks LSU among the top 10 percent of universities with individuals receiving the honor -- with 503 fellows selected from more than 220 institutions worldwide. LSU ranked second in the SEC, tying with Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, and fourth among 12 national peer universities.

"LSU has been in the top 10 percent of AAAS Fellow recipient institutions for at least the past two years," said Thomas Klei, interim vice chancellor of research and economic development at LSU. "It's an even more impressive accomplishment when you consider that many research universities had no fellows recognized at all."

Election as a fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers in recognition of their efforts toward advancing science applications deemed scientifically or socially distinguished.

LSU's newest AAAS Fellows are:

• Kevin Carman, dean of the College of Science: for outstanding contributions in marine benthic ecology, excellence in teaching and distinguished service as dean of LSU's College of Science.
  
• Robin McCarley, Barbara Womack Alumni Professor of Chemistry: for distinguished contributions to the field of surface and interfacial chemistry, particularly for polymerization reactions in two dimensions, probe microscopy studies and polymer surface modification.
  
• Saundra McGuire, professor of chemistry and assistant vice chancellor for learning and teaching in LSU's Division of Student Life and Enrollment Services: for distinguished contributions to the field of chemistry in teaching and mentoring of students and faculty for success in science careers and academics.
  
• Erwin Poliakoff, Roy Paul Daniels Professor of Chemistry: for demonstrating the importance of molecular photoionization for an array of scientific goals and developing a deeper understanding via experiments that higlight electron-nuclear coupling.
• Frederick Rainey, Gregory Cannaday Burns Professor of Biological Sciences: for distinguished contributions in bacterial systematics and ecology, particularly in determining the bacteria present in extreme habitats including deserts; for service to his scientific community.
• Edward Seidel, professor of physics: for distinguished contributions to numerical relativity and computational science, including development of software frameworks, and for national leadership through service at the National Science Foundation.

New fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a gold rosette pin on Saturday, Feb. 19, at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the 2011 AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

The tradition of AAAS Fellows began in 1874. AAAS members can be considered for the rank of fellow if nominated by the steering groups of the association's 24 sections, or by any three fellows who are current AAAS members -- so long as two of the three sponsors are not affiliated with the nominee's institution -- or by the AAAS chief executive officer.

Each steering group then reviews the nominations of individuals within its respective section and a final list is forwarded to the AAAS Council, which votes on the aggregate list.

The council is the policymaking body of the association, chaired by the AAAS president, and consisting of the members of the Board of Directors, the Retiring Section Chairs, delegates from each electorate and each regional division and two delegates from the National Association of Academies of Science.