NEW BRUNSWICK/PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Five Rutgers professors are among the 251 scientists the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has elevated to the rank of fellow. The pre-eminent U.S. scientific organization has honored these association members for their efforts toward advancing science or fostering applications considered scientifically or socially distinguished.
"This national recognition accorded to five members of the Rutgers faculty as outstanding scientists affirms the excellence of our faculty and Rutgers' status as a major public research university," said University Vice President for Academic Affairs Joseph J. Seneca. "Rutgers is gratified by the personal recognition our professors have achieved in this prestigious selection process and by the role these faculty play in educating the next generation of scholars and researchers and advancing their disciplines through their research."
Jolie A. Cizewski, professor in the department of physics and astronomy, Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)-New Brunswick, was cited by AAAS "for outstanding research in elucidating dynamical symmetries and parameter limits in the excitation of heavy atomic nuclei." Cizewski, a resident of Martinsville, joined Rutgers in 1986. She studies the structure of heavy atomic nuclei at the limits of stability, angular momentum and elongation, performing experiments at national and university nuclear accelerator facilities in the United States and abroad. She is the graduate program director in physics and astronomy, and this year is teaching the seminar in physics course, required of all first-year graduate students.
Joan G. Ehrenfeld, professor in the department of ecology, evolution and natural resources at Cook College, was cited by AAAS "for outstanding scholarship at the interface of ecosystem ecology, plant ecology and restoration ecology." Ehrenfeld, a resident of Highland Park, joined Rutgers in 1990 and teaches courses on wetland ecology, ecosystem ecology and global changes, and research methods in ecology. She specializes in plant-soil interactions, which includes many aspects of plant ecology, biology of exotic plant invasions, and soil ecology, especially the effects of plant species on nitrogen cycling. Ehrenfeld directs the work of graduate students in the ecology and evolution program and the environmental science program.
Doina Ganea, professor and coordinator of graduate studies in the department of biological sciences at Rutgers-Newark, was cited by AAAS "for contributions to the field of immunology and the developing field of neuroimmunology." Ganea, who lives in Allentown, Pa., joined Rutgers in 1988 and teaches upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses on immunology, and organizes the department's annual seminar series. Her major area of research is neuroimmunology, specifically the molecular mechanisms through which the neuroendocrine and immune systems communicate.
Paul B. Kantor, professor of information science in the library and information science department at Rutgers' School of Communication, Information and Library Studies, was cited by AAAS "for research, teaching and professional activities centered on applying rigorous mathematical models to the design and evaluation of libraries and networked information systems." Kantor, a resident of Highland Park, also directs Rutgers' Distributed Laboratory for Digital Libraries. His primary research area is the networked information environment with particular emphasis on the cost of storing and finding information, and the benefits of information, measured in terms of impact on individuals and organizations. Kantor joined Rutgers in 1991 and teaches the course "Youth and User Studies" in the library and information science program.
Thomas K. Rudel, professor in the department of human ecology Cook College and the department of sociology in the FAS-New Brunswick, was cited by AAAS "for significant contributions to the integration of ecology with social science and for pioneering work in understanding tropical deforestation." Rudel, who lives in Metuchen, is an environmental sociologist who specializes in the study of land use conversion processes. He was one of the first social scientists to develop systematic explanations for historical and geographical variations in tropical deforestation. He joined Rutgers in 1975 and teaches courses in environmental sociology, both at Cook College and in the FAS-New Brunswick.
The new fellows will be presented with a certificate and a pin Feb. 17, 2001, at the AAAS annual meeting in San Francisco. The tradition of AAAS Fellows distinction began in 1874.
Founded in 1848, AAAS represents the world's largest federation of scientists and works to advance science for human well-being through its projects, programs and publications. With more than 143,000 members and 276 affiliated societies, AAAS conducts many programs in the areas of science policy, science education and international scientific cooperation. AAAS publishes the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Science, as well as a number of electronic features on the World Wide Web.