The American Association for the Advancement of Science has awarded four NYU professors the distinction of AAAS Fellow.

Four NYU Faculty Named American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has awarded four NYU professors the distinction of AAAS Fellow: Steven Burden, a neurobiologist at NYU School of Medicine; Eric Klann, a professor in the Center for Neural Science; Catherine Milne, a professor in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; and Oliver Sacks, a professor of neurology at NYU School of Medicine. Election as a fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has awarded four New York University professors the distinction of AAAS Fellow: Steven Burden, a neurobiologist at NYU School of Medicine; Eric Klann, a professor in the Center for Neural Science; Catherine Milne, a professor in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; and Oliver Sacks, a professor of neurology at NYU School of Medicine. Election as a fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.

Burden, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and the Department of Cell Biology at NYU School of Medicine, was elected as an AAAS Fellow for “distinguished contributions to the understanding of neuromuscular synapse formation, particularly the identification and study of the Agrin, Lrp4, MuSK and Dok-7 signaling pathway.” An internationally recognized expert in the mechanisms of the neuromuscular synapse, his work provides a basis for understanding how dysfunction in this pathway causes neuromuscular disease as well as insight into the design of therapies to treat these diseases.

Klann was cited for “distinguished contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity and cognition, and how they are altered in brain disorders.” His recent work has uncovered novel mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for a range of afflictions, including autism and Alzheimer's disease.

Milne, an associate professor for science education in NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Teaching and Learning, was recognized “for distinguished contributions to research in chemistry education, and in history and philosophy of science, and for co-editing the journal Cultural Studies in Science Education.” Milne also studies how science teachers and students use representations in science and researches the strategies teachers can use to improve the general and discipline-based literacy of their students.

Sacks, MD, professor of neurology at NYU Langone Medical Center, was elected to the AAAS “for distinguished contributions to public awareness and understanding of science, and of the history of chemistry, through his book Uncle Tungsten and other writings.” A frequent contributor to The New Yorker and The New York Review of Books, he is also the author of 12 books, including Hallucinations, Musicophilia, Awakenings, and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.

This year, 388 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 honored in February 2014 at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Chicago.

EDITOR’S NOTE:
New York University, founded in 1831, is one of the world’s foremost research universities and a member of the selective Association of American Universities. The first Global Network University, it has degree-granting university campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai; 11 other global academic sites; and sends more students to study abroad than any other U.S. college or university. Through its 18 schools and colleges, NYU conducts research and provides education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, business, dentistry, education, nursing, the cinematic and performing arts, music and studio arts, public administration, social work, engineering, and continuing and professional studies, among other areas.

NYU Langone Medical Center, a world-class, patient-centered, integrated academic medical center, is one of the nation’s premier centers for excellence in clinical care, biomedical research, and medical education. Located in the heart of Manhattan, NYU Langone is composed of four hospitals—Tisch Hospital, its flagship acute care facility; Rusk Rehabilitation; the Hospital for Joint Diseases, the Medical Center’s dedicated inpatient orthopaedic hospital; and Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, a comprehensive pediatric hospital supporting a full array of children’s health services across the Medical Center—plus the NYU School of Medicine, which since 1841 has trained thousands of physicians and scientists who have helped to shape the course of medical history. The Medical Center’s tri-fold mission to serve, teach, and discover is achieved 365 days a year through the seamless integration of a culture devoted to excellence in patient care, education, and research. For more information, go to www.NYULMC.org, and interact with us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest general scientific society, and publisher of the journal, Science (www.sciencemag.org) as well as Science Translational Medicine (www.sciencetranslationalmedicine.org) and Science Signaling (www.sciencesignaling.org). AAAS was founded in 1848, and includes 261 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world, with an estimated total readership of 1 million. The non-profit AAAS (www.aaas.org) is open to all and fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, and more.

 

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