The University of California announced on Apr. 2 that fifty of its researchers have been elected as fellows to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of science’s highest honors.
The recognition is significant because AAAS honorary fellowship acknowledges scientists, engineers, and innovators for their scientific achievements in service to society. Election as a fellow requires a notable record of cross-disciplinary achievement and approval by the AAAS Council, making it a lifelong honor within one of the world’s most prestigious scientific societies.
According to the university, more than 1 in 10 members—11 percent—of this year’s AAAS Class of 2025 are affiliated with UC. The fifty new fellows represent all ten UC campuses and two national laboratories. The election was announced on March 26, with this year’s class including a total of 449 scientists from across the country.
Among those honored are faculty from fields such as agriculture, astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, medical sciences, neuroscience, physics and psychology. Notable past AAAS fellows include Nobel laureates Jennifer Doudna and Barry Barish from UC.
UC officials say that federal funding plays an important role in supporting research conducted by these newly named fellows across every scientific field. They emphasize that without such investment and partnership from the federal government critical advancements would be at risk—advancements which reflect precisely what AAAS fellowship seeks to honor.
