The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the world's largest scientific societies, has named five Yale faculty members and affiliates as incoming fellows.
The new AAAS fellows from Yale are Susan Baserga, Kenneth Nelson, Jacqueline Tanaka, Qin Yan, and Julie Zimmerman.
In all, the new class of fellows includes 449 scientists, engineers, and innovators across a variety of disciplines. The inductees are selected from academic institutions, labs, observatories, hospitals, medical centers, museums, corporations, nonprofits, institutes, and government agencies.
Brief bios of Yale's new fellows follow:
Susan Baserga
Susan Baserga is the William H. Fleming Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry in Yale's Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and professor of genetics and of therapeutic radiology at Yale School of Medicine (YSM). She joined the Yale faculty in 1993. AAAS noted Baserga's "pioneering contributions to understanding the structure and biogenesis of the ribosome, and how abnormalities in the ribosome lead to disease."
Kenneth Nelson
Kenneth Nelson is a senior lecturer emeritus in molecular, cellular and developmental biology in FAS and a research scientist. He has been a Yale faculty member since 1993. AAAS lauded Nelson for his "unwavering dedication to cell biology education" and his "crucial role in research initiatives to uplift underrepresented students in STEM. In 1999, he received the Yale College Prize for Teaching Excellence by a Lector or Lecturer.
Jacqueline Tanaka
Jacqueline Tanaka is associate director of STEM student success for Yale College's science and quantitative reasoning team. An emeritus professor of biology at Temple University, she moved to Yale in 2020. AAAS is honoring her for "distinguished contributions to biochemistry and education, and for transformative impact on community-focused initiatives in STEM." Throughout her career Tanaka has promoted women and underrepresented students in the sciences.
Qin Yan
Qin Yan is a professor of pathology at YSM and a member of the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale Stem Cell Center, and Yale Center for Immuno-Oncology. AAAS lauded Yan "for pioneering cancer epigenetics through groundbreaking work on KDM5 demethylases, uncovering therapeutic targets and mechanisms of tumor progression, immune evasion, and metastatis."
Julie Zimmerman
Julie Zimmerman, Yale's vice provost for planetary solutions, is also the Lilane and Christian Haub Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and the Environment, and deputy director for research at the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering. She has a joint appointment at Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science and the Yale School of the Environment. She joined the Yale faculty in 2007. AAAS noted her "distinguished contributions advancing sustainable solutions and establishing the principles of green engineering," as well as "for leadership in environmental education, and for service to the environmental science and technology community."
The incoming fellows will receive a certificate and a gold and blue rosette pin (representing science and engineering, respectively) to commemorate their election. They will be honored during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May.
