Three MGHers named distinguished AAAS fellows

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has awarded three MGH staff members the distinction of AAAS fellow: Emery N. Brown, MD, PhD, of the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care; Jeffrey A. Gelfand, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases; and James F. Gusella, PhD, director of the MGH Center for Human Genetic Research. Brown, Gelfand and Gusella are among 471 new AAAS members appointed this year for their efforts toward advancing science applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished.

Brown has made fundamental contributions to statistical modeling of dynamic biological phenomena, especially involving circadian rhythms, functional imaging signals and neuronal spike trains; Gelfand has made important contributions to the field of clinical immunology and vaccine development; and Gusella has made significant progress in the field of human genetics, particularly the identification of genes responsible for a number of neurogenetic disorders, including Huntington's disease.

The tradition of AAAS fellows began in 1874. Members can be considered for the honor if nominated by the steering group of their sections, by three fellows or by the association's chief executive officer. Each steering group reviews the nominations and forwards a final list to the AAAS Council, which then votes on the final list. New fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a rosette pin Feb. 16 at the Fellows Forum during the 2008 AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston.