The Washington State Academy of Sciences announced six faculty from Washington State University will be new members. Membership in WSAS recognizes their scientific and technical contributions to the state of Washington and the nation.
The new members will be formally inducted at the 15th Annual Members Meeting on Sept. 15.
At that time, John Roll, professor and vice dean of research for WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, will be moving from the president-elect position to take the helm as the president of the WSAS governing board. Julie Kmec, WSU professor of sociology, will also take a seat on the board as Ronald Mittelhammer, Regents professor in the School of Economics completes his term as board director.
“It’s wonderful to see the leadership and excellence of our faculty honored by the Washington State Academy of Sciences,” said WSU System President Kirk Schulz. “We are proud to have WSU scientists and engineers advancing the Academy’s mission to inform public policy throughout the state of Washington.”
The new WSU members of the Academy are:
Stephen Bollens
Professor
School of the Environment and School of Biological Sciences
Director
Meyer’s Point Environmental Field Station
For research on salt and freshwater aquatic systems that is both timely and important to understanding the impact of global climate change and rising sea levels on estuarine systems and biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest. For a proven willingness to engage and serve institutions and the public.
David Field
Professor and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education
Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
For developing and commercializing the automated Electron Backscatter Diffraction techniques and their application, and mentoring a large group of graduate and undergraduate students in mechanical and materials engineering.
John McNamara
Professor Emeritus
Animal Sciences
For research in nutritional physiology of farm animals which opened new areas of research and changed on-farm management to improve sustainability. For work on companion animal biology that helped start new programs across the country, and work with the Washington Science Teachers Association to help prepare teachers in integrated STEM teaching.
Bhagwat Prasad
Associate Professor
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Director
Proteomics-based Research Initiative on Non-CYP Enzymes
For expertise in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic modeling that is valuable to FDA and pharmaceutical companies, since proteomics-informed in silico modeling helps to avoid drug failures. For his work as an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at WSU where he trains and mentors researchers in these approaches.
Ka’imi Alohilani Sinclair
Associate Professor
College of Nursing
Co-Director
Initiative for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH)
For scientific contributions including research to increase health equity through implementation and evaluation of culturally informed health promotion interventions. For research including the first National Institutes of Health-funded study to reduce diabetes risk among American Indian men and the only research in Washington state focused on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health.
Vaithianathan Venkatasubramanian
Boeing Distinguished Professor
Electrical Engineering
Director
Energy Systems Innovation Center
For contributions to the development of novel modeling, stability analysis, and control solutions based on wide-area measurements for electric power interconnections around the world including in the U.S., Europe, and India, and for service to power industry and regulatory agencies on improving the understanding of complex stability phenomena in power grids.
