AAAS honors two Wake Forest researchers as lifetime Fellows
McAllister and Lachgar recognized
Two researchers at Wake Forest University have been elected 2024 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Kimberley McAllister, Professor of Biology and Professor of Translational Neuroscience, who also serves as Vice Provost for Research, Scholarly Inquiry and Creative Activity; and Professor of Chemistry Abdou Lachgar are among the 471 scientists, engineers and innovators who have been recognized for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements by the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to these two remarkable scientists,” said Wake Forest President Susan R. Wente. “They are outstanding scholars in the important fields of neuroscience and renewable energy and contribute to Wake Forest’s ongoing mission to advance knowledge that can meaningfully improve lives.”
Wente was named an AAAS Fellow in 2010 for her biochemistry research.
“Dr. McAllister and Dr. Lachgar exemplify the very best of the teacher-scholar model that defines Wake Forest,” said Provost Michele Gillespie. “Through their dedication to advancing knowledge and mentoring the next generation of scholars, they embody the collaborative, forward-thinking spirit that drives innovation at Wake Forest.”
A tradition dating back to 1874, election as an AAAS Fellow is a lifetime honor. Distinguished past honorees include Ellen Ochoa, Steven Chu, Grace Hopper, Alan Alda, Mae Jemison and Ayanna Howard.
Wake Forest has had 21 Fellows elected throughout its history, including three Wake Forest presidents.
“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.”
Wake Forest’s 2024 AAAS Fellows are:
Kimberley McAllister, vice provost for research, scholarly inquiry and creative activities, is being honored for her distinguished contributions to cortical synapse formation during development and in disease, with a recent focus on the effects of maternal infection on risk for psychiatric illness in offspring.
Her expertise lies in uncovering the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern synapse formation and elimination, with a particular focus on the unexpected role of immune molecules in brain development, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurodegeneration. She has published more than 80 manuscripts and chapters.
Abdou Lachgar, professor of chemistry
Lachgar’s selection as an AAAS Fellow recognizes his exceptional contributions to research, teaching, and service in the field of materials science, particularly his work in crystal framework engineering and green energy production. As a professor of chemistry and the Bell Faculty Fellow, his expertise lies in inorganic materials chemistry and nanomaterials, with ongoing research projects focused on developing materials for renewable energy production and storage, as well as environmental remediation.
His work includes designing cluster-based hybrid materials for hydrogen storage and CO2 sequestration, semiconductor heterojunctions for photocatalytic hydrogen production, high-capacity cathodes for lithium-ion batteries, and developing solid catalysts for converting waste to biofuels.
Lachgar has authored more than 130 papers and secured over three million in grants since joining the university in 1991. He has also advanced scientific knowledge on a global scale, including Fulbright fellowships in Brazil and Namibia.
About the American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science, as well as Science Translational Medicine; Science Signaling; a digital, open-access journal, Science Advances; Science Immunology; and Science Robotics. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes more than 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. The nonprofit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For additional information about AAAS, visit www.aaas.org.
Categories: Awards & Recognition, University Announcements
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