Valsaraj Named AAAS Fellow
January 6, 2010
Eight LSU faculty researchers 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. LSU ranks among the top 10 institutions in number of honorees, with only seven others having more fellows this year.
Kalliat T. Valsaraj, Charles and Hilda Roddey Professor and Department Chair of Chemical Engineering, was named for his distinguished contributions to the field of environmental chemical engineering, particularly in the areas of separation processes and atmospheric chemistry.
"I feel very humbled and honored to be elected by my peers as a Fellow in AAAS, an organization that stands for excellence in Science and Engineering," said Valsaraj.
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.
"We are pleased that the AAAS has chosen to recognize so many of LSU's distinguished researchers, particularly our own Kalliat Valsaraj," said Richard Koubek, dean of LSU's College of Engineering. "We are proud to have him not only as a valued faculty member but as chair of chemical engineering, as well.
In addition to Valsaraj, LSU's newest AAAS Fellows are:
- Terry M. Bricker, Moreland Family Professor of Basic Sciences;
- Barry Dellinger, Patrick F. Taylor Chair for the Environmental Impact of Hazardous Waste;
- Jonathan P. Dowling, Hearne Research Chair in Theoretical Physics;
- Brooks B. Ellwood, Robey H. Clark Distinguished Professor of Geology and Geophysics;
- Mark S. Hafner, DeSoto Parish Alumni Chapter Alumni Professor of Biological Sciences and curator of mammals at LSU's Museum of Natural Sciences;
- Kevin Malcolm Smith, LSU Foundation James C. Bolton Professor of Chemistry;
- Steven A. Soper, Dr. William L. and Patricia H. Senn, Jr. Endowed Professor of Chemistry
"This is simply outstanding," said Interim Vice Chancellor of Research and Economic Development Doris Carver. "To have a few researchers each year honored by such an illustrious group as AAAS is a great honor, but to have eight acknowledged all in the same year is an indication of just what a talented faculty LSU maintains."
New fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a gold or blue (representing science and engineering, respectively) rosette pin on Saturday, Feb. 20, at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the 2010 AAAS Annual Meeting in San Diego.
"Each of these faculty members is richly deserving of the AAAS Fellow distinction," said Kevin Carman, dean of the College of Basic Sciences. "It is notable that LSU's eight fellows ranked in the top 10 of all U.S. institutions. Their collective recognition speaks volumes about the quality of our faculty and the excellence of LSU's research and educational programs."
The tradition of AAAS Fellows began in 1874. Currently, 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.
About AAAS
AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society, and publisher of the journal, Science. AAAS was founded in 1848, and includes some 262 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world, with an estimated total readership of one million. The non-profit AAAS, found at www.aaas.org, is open to all and fulfills its mission to "advance science and serve society" through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education and more.
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Article by Ashley Berthelot, LSU Media Relations, 225-578-3870, aberth4@lsu.edu
