Contact

Duke Health News

919-660-1306

Eight Duke University Medical Center scientists have been awarded the distinction of AAAS Fellow this year by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Election as a fellow is an honor bestowed on AAAS members by their peers. 

Blanche Capel, PhD, James B. Duke Professor in the Duke Department of Cell Biology: For distinguished contributions to understanding the genetics and molecular biology of sex determination and gonadal development.

Maria E. Cardenas-Corona, PhD, research professor in the Duke Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology: For distinguished contributions to the field of cell signaling, elucidating how the rapamycin-sensitive Tor kinase pathway enables cells to sense nutrients and respond physiologically.

Mark W. Dewhirst, DVM, PhD, Gustavo S. Montana Professor in the Duke Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biomedical Engineering, Pathology and the Medical Physics program: For his work on the role of hyperthermia in cancer therapy, particularly its synergistic use with other treatment regimens.

Jack D. Keene, PhD, James B. Duke Professor in the Duke Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology: For leadership in microbiology and distinguished contributions to elucidating the essential roles of RNA and RNA-binding proteins in coordinating multiple cellular processes.

Sally Kornbluth, PhD, James B. Duke Professor in the Duke Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology: For distinguished contributions in elucidating mechanisms of cell proliferation and cell death and for contributions as vice dean for research at Duke University School of Medicine.

Stephen Nowicki, PhD, Dean and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Duke University, professor in the Duke Departments of Neurobiology, Biology, and Psychology and Neuroscience: For distinguished contributions to the fields of animal behavior and behavioral ecology, particularly for studies of animal signaling mechanisms and the evolution of animal communication.

Ann Marie Pendergast, PhD, James B. Duke Professor in the Duke Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology: For distinguished contributions to the field of cellular signaling, with groundbreaking work on the function of Abl tyrosine kinases in cancer, development and infectious disease.

John D. York, PhD, cancer biology professor in the Duke Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology and Department of Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator: For distinguished contributions to the field of signal transduction, particularly with regards to the biology of phosphoinositides and inositol lipids.

“As in the past, Duke is well represented, and this year the winners reflect the scope of innovative, excellent research being done here,” said Dean of the Duke University School of Medicine Nancy Andrews, MD, PhD, who was elected a AAAS fellow in 2007. “It's an honor to be recognized by one's peers for performance at the highest level in science.”

“This year's group of Duke AAAS fellows represent a broad range of scientific interests, from the most basic research in signal transduction and cell biology to work that is being translated for care of cancer patients,” Kornbluth said. “I'm very happy to be included in this outstanding group of Duke colleagues as an elected fellow.”

This year 503 members have been awarded this honor by AAAS because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or scientific applications. Duke's Steve Nowicki, dean and vice provost for undergraduate education, is also among this year's fellows. He is a professor in the departments of biology, psychology and neuroscience in Trinity College, and in the neurobiology department in the School of Medicine.

New fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a gold and blue (representing science and engineering, respectively) rosette pin on Saturday, Feb. 19 at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the 2011 AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.