EXTRAORDINARY WORK

Designation recognizes extraordinary work across disciplines

Six Pittsburgh professors named scientific fellows. Page WA-6

Six Pittsburgh academicians have been elected as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science — a nonprofit organization that promotes collaboration and outreach in the field while also publishing the noted journal Science. The announcement was made Tuesday.

One of those elected is John Pollock, a Duquesne University biophysicist known for his educational exhibits, apps and films, along with notable achievements in pain research.

He is joined by James F. Woodward, a University of Pittsburgh professor of history and philosophy of science; Jeremy Levy, a Pitt professor of dense matter physics; physicist Adam Leibovich, Pitt associate dean for faculty recruitment and research development; Gregory Lowry, a Carnegie Mellon University professor of civil and environmental engineering; and computer scientist David J. Farber, now at Keio University in Japan but affiliated with CMU’s School of Computer Science and Institute of Software Research.

Fellows are distinguished scientists “recognized for their extraordinary achievements across disciplines,” including “research, teaching, technology and services to professional societies, administration in all fields and interpreting science to the public,” the AAAS says on its website, www.aaas.org.

“I’m honored to be selected as an AAAS fellow,” said Mr. Pollock, who holds a doctorate in biophysics. “Science is playing such a critical role in our society, from advancing technology to improving health care to helping understand and protect our planet. It’s exciting to be recognized with my AAAS colleagues, who are making a difference in this world that will impact future generations.”

Mr. Lowry, who holds a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering, works with nanotechnologies to improve the environment. He described his election as “a wonderful recognition” of the hard work of his many students who performed research in his research laboratory over the past 18 years.

“I am energized by this award and recognition, and I am excited to continue to develop and deploy innovative nanotechnology-enabled solutions to solve society’s grand challenges, including providing clean water and making agriculture more sustainable,” he said.