WASHINGTON – Four Washington State University faculty have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
They are among 391 members elected this year by their AAAS peers because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. Learn more at http://www.aaas.org.
* Wei Hong (Katie) Zhong, Westinghouse Distinguished Professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at WSU Pullman, was elected for contributions in composites, nanotechnology and energy materials, particularly for affordable composite manufacturing, multifunctional nanocomposites and new materials for safe batteries. She led a research group that developed chewing gum-like battery materials that could dramatically improve the safety of lithium ion batteries.
* Markus Flury, professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciencesat WSU Puyallup, was honored for contributions to soil physics and hydrology of the vadose zone – the region between the soil surface and groundwater table. He does experimental work on preferential flow – when water flows more quickly through a small volume – and colloidal processes in soils. Colloids are small particles that can be suspended in water in soils for long periods and can contribute to contaminant transport.
* Susmita Bose, Herman and Brita Lindholm Endowed Chair in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at WSU Pullman, was elected for contributions in advanced ceramic materials, biomaterials, bone tissue engineering, education of the next generation of material scientists and service to science. She conducts research in medical materials, including 3D printing of bone-like materials to make implants more biocompatible and less prone to infection.
* Kelly A. Brayton is a professor of microbial genomics in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology and in the Allen School for Global Animal Health at WSU Pullman. Also affiliated with the WSU School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, she conducts research on livestock and zoonotic pathogens. She was elected for leadership that generated foundational genome information for important animal pathogens.
News media contact:
Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer, 509-335-4846, eric.sorensen@wsu.edu
