The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) last month named Maria Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, a professor of chemical and biological engineering at Tufts, a fellow in the organization.
Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, who will receive her award on Feb. 14 in Chicago, has done extensive work with catalysts and their impact on sustainable energy initiatives. Her study of chemical reactions specifically applies to hydrogen cells, fuel modification and pollution treatment.
Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, one of the organization's 486 new fellows this year, directs research at the Tufts Nano Catalysis and Energy Laboratory, where student researchers develop new catalyst materials. These materials "reform carbon monoxide or alcohols with water to a hydrogen-rich stream," which ultimately aids in producing cleaner and more sustainable energy, according to Flytzani-Stephanopoulos.
"We have ongoing work here at Tufts in the energy field," she said.
AAAS is a nonprofit organization that works to advance science worldwide by partnering with educators and other professionals in scientific fields, according to its Web site. It publishes a weekly journal, Science, as well as a number of newsletters and books.
To become an AAAS fellow, a researcher needs to be nominated either by three peers, by an AAS steering group or by AAAS CEO Alan Leshner. Nominees undergo review by the steering groups and are elected by the AAAS Council.
Recipients of the award do not need to be scientists, although most are, according to AAAS spokesperson Molly McElroy. "It is [awarded] in recognition of their advancement and work for science or [its] applications," she said. "Most of the fellows are bestowed this award because of their accomplishments in research, but we have had other fellows nominated because they are great science educators, and we've also had some science journalists who have been given this award."
The fellow position does not come with any kind of funding. "It's just an honor that is bestowed by the members and that is bestowed by their peers," McElroy said.
The award also does not carry any formal commitments. Members are "invited to a ceremony which occurs at our annual meeting each year, and that's where the new fellows are recognized," according to McElroy.
Many AAAS fellows, however, participate actively in the organization. "I encounter a lot of them in the course of planning our meeting each year, where we have a lot of scientific content, so that's been interesting to see how they participate in the organization," McElroy said.
