AAAS names three fellows from Chicago

The American Association for the Advancement of Science elected three University professors as fellows in September for their efforts toward advancing science or fostering applications deemed scientifically or socially distinguished.

The three faculty members will be presented with official certificates and gold-and-blue pins (representing science and engineering, respectively) at the fellows forum during the 1999 AAAS Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. They are Donald Rowley, M.D., Professor Emeritus in Pathology and the Committee on Immunology; Janet Davison-Rowley, M.D., the Blum-Riese Distinguished Service Professor in Medicine, Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, Human Genetics and the Committees on Cancer Biology and Genetics; and William Wulff, Professor in Chemistry and the College.

Donald Rowley, Professor Emeritus in Pathology, joined the faculty in 1954 with appointments in Pathology, and later, in Pediatrics and the Committee on Immunology. His research has focused on the processes of inflammation and regulation of immunity, with an emphasis in recent years on tumor immunology.

He also was director of The La Rabida-University of Chicago Research Institute from 1973 to 1986.

Janet Rowley has unraveled how specific, chromosomal abnormalities can cause different types of cancer. Early in 1972, she discovered the first chromosome “translocation,” an exchange of small pieces of DNA between chromosomes 8 and 21 in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia.

Although many questioned the significance of her early discoveries, her continued efforts to demonstrate the relationship between distinct chromosomal abnormalities and specific types of leukemia and lymphoma quickly led to acceptance that cancer is a genetic disease. That work won her the coveted Lasker Award in September.

Wulff specializes in the development of new methods for the synthesis of organic molecules, using new types of metal-containing compounds as well as artificial, optically active chemical catalysts.

Nature’s catalysts, called enzymes, are limited in application because they usually are most active in water and within a certain temperature range. Wulff’s goal is to synthesize organic molecules that are stable under a wider range of conditions.

Founded in 1848, AAAS represents the world’s largest federation of scientists and has more than 144,000 members.

The tradition of AAAS fellows distinction began in 1874. Currently, members can be considered for the rank of fellow if they are nominated by the steering group of their respective sections, by three fellows or by the association’s executive officer.