Florida Museum scientist elected to National Academy of Sciences

April 27, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History Curator Emeritus Elizabeth S. Wing was among 72 new members elected Tuesday to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

Wing becomes the tenth member of the academy from the University of Florida, an achievement considered one of the highest honors in American science. Members are elected in recognition of distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

Wing is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in zooarchaeology, the study of animal remains in archaeological sites. She initiated the world’s first formal program at the Florida Museum in 1961, which she guided and developed during her 45-year career to the present-day Environmental Archaeology Program. Wing also is known for her efforts to encourage other scientists to expand the discipline to include plants, soils, geochemistry, climate and other biological studies.

She has published more than 90 scientific articles and books, received numerous National Science Foundation and other major grants and garnered many awards throughout her career, including the Frixell Award for Interdisciplinary Research from the Society for American Archaeology in 1996. She also has served since 1981 as U.S. representative to the International Council of Archaeozoology and has served in many positions with the Society of Ethnobiology since 1985, including president from 1989-91.

Wing continues to research human use of animals in southeastern North America, the origins and spread of domestic animals in the Andes and the overexploitation of animals as well as management of captive and domestic animals in the Caribbean.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to furthering science and its use for the general welfare. It was established in 1863 by a congressional act of incorporation signed by Abraham Lincoln.

UF has a total of 17 faculty members in the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine.