The American Association for the Advancement of Science has awarded New York University's Susan Antón, an anthropologist, and Daniel Stein, a physicist, the distinction of AAAS Fellow. Election as a Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.
Antón was selected for her "distinguished contributions to the field of human evolution, and particularly to the understanding of the genus Homo," the association announced. Stein was chosen for his pioneering work toward understanding how randomness and disorder influence the organization of matter in a range of materials, including glasses and biological matter such as proteins. AAAS also recognized Stein, NYU's dean of science, for his "distinguished contributions to science through university and organizational leadership."
Antón is an associate professor in NYU's Center for the Study of Human Origins, which is part of the university's Department of Anthropology. Her field research concerns the evolution of genus Homo in Indonesia. Antón, who directs NYU's masters program in human skeletal biology, is particularly focused on the relationship between morphological and ecological variables and the early dispersal of the genus Homo as well as its potential ecological impacts on ecosystems in Asia.
Stein is a professor in NYU's Department of Physics and at its Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. He is considered a leader in theoretical condensed matter physics, which centers on building models of physical processes and transferring these models into other areas of research. Stein's scholarship has contributed to topics as diverse as protein biophysics, biological evolution, amorphous semiconductors, superconductors and superfluids, liquid crystals, neutron stars, and the interface between particle physics and cosmology.
This year 486 members have been awarded this honor by AAAS because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. New Fellows will be recognized on Feb. 14 at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the association's 2009 annual meeting in Chicago.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
New York University, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, was established in 1831 and is one of America's leading research universities. It is one of the largest private universities, has among the greatest number of international students, and sends more students to study abroad than any other college or university in the United States. Through its numerous schools, colleges, institutes, and programs, NYU conducts research and provides education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, business, dentistry, education, nursing, the cinematic and dramatic arts, music, public administration, social work, and continuing and professional studies, among other areas.