Two UF professors named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Published: October 28 2005

Category:Announcements, InsideUF

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Physics professor Arthur Hebard and chemistry professor Weihong Tan have been awarded the distinction of Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) along with 374 other scientists this week. The association annually elevates its top members to the rank of Fellow in recognition of their distinguished efforts in the advancement of science. To date, 24 UF faculty have received this honor.

“Selection as an AAAS Fellow is reserved for the top few percent of achievers in scientific fields who have made notable discoveries or contributions,” said Neil Sullivan, dean of the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a physics professor. “They also are often called upon to serve as advisers on national blue ribbon panels for federal agencies, setting the national science agenda.”

Hebard, who has been a physics professor at UF since 1996, specializes in condensed matter. In his awards citation from the AAAS, he is honored for his “seminal studies in thin-film physics, especially in magnetism, dilute magnetic semiconductors, fullerenes, and superconductors.” Much of Hebard’s work is done through the facilities of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and he has been issued six U.S. patents.

Chemistry professor Weihong Tan also has taught at UF since 1996. His areas of specialty are bioanalytical chemistry, biomedical engineering and biophysics. His citation recognizes his “work in biosensors, molecular recognition and bio-nanotechnlogy, covering molecular-beacon design, biosensor development, and studies in intracellular mRNA monitoring.” Tan is the associate director of UF’s Center for Research at the Bio/nano Interface and has been issued four U.S. patents for his work in the past two years.

Hebard and Tan will be honored during a special ceremony at the 2006 AAAS Annual Meeting in St. Louis on Feb. 18, where they will receive an official certificate and a gold and blue rosette pin symbolizing science and engineering.

Founded in 1848, the AAAS began its tradition of designating Fellows in 1874. The nonprofit organization is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal “Science.” The new class of AAAS fellows will be announced in the News & Notes section of the Oct. 28 issue of “Science.” For more information, visit www.aaas.org.

Credits

Contact
Arthur Hebard, afh@phys.ufl.edu, (352) 392-8842
Contact
Weihong Tan, tan@chem.ufl.edu, (352) 846-2410

Category:Announcements, InsideUF