The American Association for the Advancement of Science elected 11 University of South Florida faculty members to its 2024 class of Fellows, the third largest cohort of AAAS Fellows from any university in the nation. Recognition as an AAAS Fellow is a distinguished lifetime honor within the scientific community. The AAAS is one of the world's largest general science socieities and publisher of the Science family of journals. This latest class is comprised of 471 scientists, engineers and innovators across 24 AAAS disciplinary sections.
"The University of South Florida is proud to have such a large, accomplished group of faculty members elected to the newest class of AAAS Fellows,” USF President Rhea Law said. “Their impactful research fosters innovation and contributes significantly to solving important challenges in our communities, our state and our nation. I extend my sincere congratulations to those who were selected to receive this prestigious recognition and thank them for enhancing USF’s reputation as one of America's leading research universities."
“This year’s class of Fellows are the embodiment of scientific excellence and service to our communities,” said Sudip S. Parikh, Ph.D., AAAS chief executive officer and executive publisher of the Science family of journals. “At a time when the future of the scientific enterprise in the U.S. and around the world is uncertain, their work demonstrates the value of sustained investment in science and engineering.”
USF's 11 new AAAS Fellows are:
John Arthur
Professor in the Department of Anthropology (elected AAAS Anthropology Section)
For distinguished contributions to ethnoarchaeology, especially ceramic ethnoarchaeological
and Holocene archaeological research among the Gamo of southwestern Ethiopia, significantly
advancing knowledge of changes in human migration, subsistence, and social organization.
Kathryn Weedman Arthur
Professor in the Department of Anthropology (elected AAAS Anthropology Section)
For distinguished contributions to the field of anthropological archaeology, particularly
for groundbreaking advancements in community archaeology, ethnoarchaeology, gender,
stone tool technology, and heritage in Africa.
Theresa Beckie
Professor and PhD Program Director in the College of Nursing (elected AAAS Medical
Sciences Section)
For pioneering research in the field cardiovascular sciences, particularly for developing,
implementing, and evaluating a gender-specific, cardiac rehabilitation program for
women with coronary heart disease.
Patrice Buzzanell
Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Communication (elected AAAS
General Interest in Science and Engineering Section)
For distinguished contributions to feminist theory in organizational communication,
commitment to mentoring, and advances in resilience and women’s career equality.
Jianfeng Cai
Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Chemistry (elected AAAS Chemistry
Section)
For distinguished contributions to the fields of bioorganic and medicinal chemistry,
particularly for the development of a novel method for synthesizing and studying peptidomimetic
compounds.
David Diamond
Professor in the Department of Psychology (elected AAAS Biological Sciences Section)
For pioneering research in the fields of neuroscience and cardiovascular disease,
particularly in the study of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the role of
cholesterol in heart disease.
Srinivas Katkoori
Professor in the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing
(elected AAAS Engineering Section)
For distinguished contributions to the field of smart Internet of Things, particularly
for the automated synthesis and optimization of secure, low-power, and smart digital
nano-electronic integrated circuits for IoT systems.
Cecile Lengacher
Professor Emerita in the College of Nursing (elected AAAS Medical Sciences Section)
For distinguished contributions to the field of oncology, particularly for developing
and testing a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction intervention along with Breast Cancer
Education Support and Advanced Stage Caregiver Education programs.
Brad Seibel
Professor in the College of Marine Science (elected AAAS Biological Sciences Section)
For distinguished contributions to the fields of marine animal physiology and ecology,
particularly for theory and physiological measurements predicting biological responses
to climate change.
Sylvia Wilson Thomas
Vice President for Research & Innovation and Professor in the Department of Electrical
Engineering (elected AAAS Engineering Section)
For pioneering contributions to the field of electrical engineering, particularly
for miniaturized devices and nanotechnologies for sensing applications; and to broadening
participation in STEM.
Vladimir Uversky
Professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine (elected AAAS Chemistry Section)
For distinguished contributions to discovery, analysis and understanding of Intrinsically
Disordered Proteins, particularly their role in human diseases.
The new Fellows will receive a certificate and a gold and blue rosette pin (representing science and engineering, respectively) to commemorate their election and will be celebrated at a forum in Washington, D.C. on June 7, 2025.