9 Purdue professors elected as fellows by top science organization

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Nine Purdue University professors have been awarded the distinction of fellow from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's largest general scientific society.

The distinction recognizes their notable work to advance science or its applications, and fellows are elected by peer members. The association will present 702 new fellows with the award on Feb. 16 during the association's annual meeting in Boston.

The fellows from Purdue are:

* Mahdi Abu-Omar, professor of chemistry, for distinguished contributions to the field of mechanistic inorganic chemistry, with particular emphasis on atom transfer reactions of oxorhenium complexes.

* Nicholas Carpita, professor of plant pathology, for distinguished contributions to plant biology, particularly structure and biosynthesis of cell walls, gene discovery, and improvement of grasses as lignocellulosic bioenergy crops.

* Mark Cushman, distinguished professor of medicinal chemistry, for outstanding contributions to medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, particularly his impact on fundamental science and delivery of novel therapeutics.

* Vincent Jo Davisson, professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology, for important contributions to the understanding and exploitation of molecular specificity in pharmacological systems.

* Avtar Handa, professor of horticulture, for distinguished contributions to the field of postharvest biology, particularly for discovering fundamental knowledge to develop fruit crops with enhanced shelf-life, phytonutrients and yield.

* David Nolte, professor of physics, for distinguished contributions to the field of optical interferometric devices, particularly the development and commercialization of dynamic holographic films, the BioCD and motility contrast imaging.

* Ian Shipsey, the Julian Schwinger Distinguished Professor of Physics, for his contributions to the field of experimental particle physics, particularly for heavy quark physics and leadership in the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment.

* Gabriela Weaver, professor of chemistry, for distinguished contributions to transforming science education at the undergraduate and pre-college levels through the use of inquiry-based pedagogies and innovative technologies.

* Howard Zelaznik, professor of health and kinesiology and associate vice president for research, for distinguished contributions to the fields of psychology and kinesiology, particularly for the development of a theoretical framework in movement timing.

These new AAAS fellows bring the Purdue total to 54.

The tradition of selecting fellows began in 1874. Members can be considered for the rank of fellow if nominated by the steering group of their respective sections, by three fellows or by the association's chief executive officer. Each steering group then reviews nominations within its respective section and forwards a final list to the association's council. The nomination involves all discipline of science and engineering, which makes it broader than any technical society. Additional information is available at http://www.aaas.org

Writers: Elizabeth K. Gardner, 765-494-2081, ekgardner@purdue.edu

Brian Wallheimer, 765-496-2050, bwallhei@purdue.edu

Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu