Louis B. Justement, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Microbiology, has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in the section of medical sciences for his distinguished contributions to the field of immunology and outstanding service in science policy, particularly in increasing diversity and education.
Justement represents UAB as the only member of the university to be named a 2023 AAAS Fellow, which is considered one of the most distinct honors in the scientific community.
The 2023 Fellows class comprises 502 scientists, engineers, and innovators spanning all 24 AAAS disciplinary sections.
Election as an AAAS Fellow is a testament to an individual's exemplary achievements across diverse fields, including research, teaching, technology, administration, and science communication.
These fellows form a distinguished cadre of scientists, engineers, and innovators who have made lasting contributions to their respective domains.
“I am honored to be recognized by the AAAS, particularly for my service in science policy to promote diversity in the biomedical workforce and to promote the career and professional development of the next generation,” Justement said. “I have been extremely fortunate over the past 20 years to have an impact on science policy through my volunteer work with the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, where I served as Vice President for Science Policy and then President, as well as other professional scientific organizations, including the Society for Leukocyte Biology, the American Association of Immunologists and the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.”
The tradition of electing AAAS Fellows dates back to 1874, with the selection process overseen annually by the AAAS Council. Importantly, election as an AAAS Fellow confers a lifetime honor upon recipients, underscoring the enduring significance of their contributions to the scientific community and society at large.
The AAAS was established in 1848, marking the beginning of a national scientific community in the United States. During the formative years of this country, science was present but lacked cohesion, with practitioners scattered geographically and among various disciplines.
The AAAS became the pioneering organization aimed at fostering the development of science and engineering at the national level while representing the interests of all its disciplines.
As the largest multidisciplinary scientific society, the AAAS proudly includes members from over 91 countries. It is worth noting that the AAAS is renowned for publishing groundbreaking research in its prestigious science journal family.